Police ranks of Canada

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The police in Canada's ranks differ according to the different police forces and depend on different laws at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.

Contents

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The rank system of the RCMP is partly a result of their origin as a paramilitary force. Upon its founding on February 1, 1920, the RCMP adopted the rank insignia of the Canadian Army (which in turn came from the British Army), which is almost identical to that of the current Canadian Army. Like in the military, the RCMP also has a distinction between commissioned and non-commissioned officers. [1] [2] The non-commissioned ranks are mostly based on military ranks (apart from constable). Non-commissioned officer ranks above staff sergeant resemble those that formerly existed in the Canadian Army but have since been replaced by warrant officers. [3] The commissioned officer ranks, by contrast, use a set of non-military titles that are often used in Commonwealth police services. The number of higher ranks, like chief superintendent and a deputy commissioner, has been added to and increased since the formation of the force, while the lower commissioned rank of sub-inspector has been dropped.

Officers
CommissionerSuperintendentInspector
Flag of the RCMP.svg Royal Canadian Mounted Police [4]
Canada-Mounted Police-Commissioner.svg Canada-Mounted Police-Deputy commissioner.svg Canada-Mounted Police-Assistant commissioner.svg Canada-Mounted Police-Chief superintendent.svg Canada-Mounted Police-Superintendent.svg Canada-Mounted Police-Inspector.svg
Commissioner
Commissaire
Deputy commissioner
Sous-commissaire
Assistant commissioner
Commissaire adjoint
Chief superintendent
Surintendant principal
Superintendent
Surintendant
Inspector
Inspecteur
Slip on rank slides
RCMP Commissioner.png
RCMP Deputy Commissioner.png
RCMP Assistant Commissioner.png
RCMP Chief Superintendent.png
RCMP Superintendent.png
RCMP Inspector.png
Others
Non-commissioned officersConstablesDepot
Flag of the RCMP.svg Royal Canadian Mounted Police [4]
Canada-Mounted Police-Corps Sergeant Major.svg Canada-Mounted Police-Sergeant Major.svg Canada-Mounted Police-Staff Sergeant Major.svg Canada-Mounted Police-Staff Sergeant.svg Canada-Mounted Police-Sergeant.svg Canada-Mounted Police-Corporal.svg No insignia RCMP Cadet Insignia.svg
Corps sergeant majorSergeant majorStaff sergeant majorStaff sergeantSergeantCorporalConstableCadet
Sergent-major du corpsSergent-majorSergent-major d'état majorSergent d'état-majorSergentCaporalGendarmeCadet
Slip on rank slides
RCMP Corps Sergeant Major insignia.svg
RCMP Sergeant Major insignia.svg
RCMP Staff Sergeant Major insignia.svg
RCMP Staff Sergeant insignia.svg
RCMP Sergeant insignia.svg
RCMP Corporal insignia.svg
RCMP Constable insignia.svg
RCMP Cadet Insignia.svg

Alberta

Alberta Sheriffs Branch

Peace officer ranks for the Alberta Sheriffs Branch: [5]

Ranks Chief sheriff Deputy chief Superintendent Inspector Branch sergeant major Sergeant Sheriff III FTO Sheriff IIISheriff IISheriff I
Insignia
ABSheriffs ChiefSheriff.png
ABSheriff Deputy Chief.png
ABSheriff Superintendent.png
ABSheriff Inspector.png
ABSheriffs SergeantMajor.png
ABSheriff Sergeant.png
ABSheriff FTO.png
No insigniaNo insignia
AB Sheriff 1.png

Calgary Police Service

RankChiefDeputy chiefSuperintendentInspectorRegimental sergeant majorStaff sergeantSergeantSenior constable level 2Senior constable level 1Constable (classes 1 to 5)Auxiliary (non-sworn)
Insignia
c Calgary Police - Chief.png
c
Calgary Police - Deputy Chief.png
Calgary Police - Superintendent.png
Calgary Police - Inspector.png
Calgary Police - Regimental Sergeant Major.png
Calgary Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Calgary Police - Sergeant.png
Calgary Police - Senior Constable Level 2.png
Calgary Police - Senior Constable Level 1.png
No insigniaNo insignia
Slip-onSlip-onSlip-onSlip-onArm patchArm patchArm patchArm patchArm patch

Edmonton Police Service

Ranks [6] Chief of policeDeputy chiefSuperintendentInspectorCorps sergeant majorStaff sergeantSergeantSenior constableConstable
Insignia [6]
Edmonton Police - Chief of Police.png
Edmonton Police - Deputy Chief.png
Edmonton Police - Superintendent.png
Edmonton Police - Inspector.png
Edmonton Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Edmonton Police - Sergeant.png
Edmonton Police - Senior Constable I.png
No insignia

Lethbridge Police Service

RanksChief of policeDeputy chiefInspectorStaff sergeantSergeantSenior constableConstable
Insignia
Edmonton Police - Chief of Police.png
Edmonton Police - Deputy Chief.png
Edmonton Police - Inspector.png
Edmonton Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Edmonton Police - Sergeant.png
Edmonton Police - Senior Constable I.png
No insignia

British Columbia

British Columbia Sheriff Service

Ranks [7] Chief sheriff Deputy chief Superintendent Staff inspector Inspector Staff sergeant Sergeant Deputy sheriff Recruit sheriff
Insignia
Vancouver Police - Chief Constable.png
Vancouver Police - Deputy Chief Constable.png
Vancouver Police - Superintendent.png
Edmonton Police - Inspector.png
Calgary Police - Inspector.png
Blank.svg
Blank.svg
Blank.svg
Blank.svg

British Columbia Conservation Officer Service

British Columbia Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement

No traditional ranking system outside of the ceremonial unit is in place.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police

RankChief officerDeputy chief officerSuperintendentInspectorStaff sergeantSergeantConstable
Insignia
Vancouver Police - Chief Constable.png
Vancouver Police - Deputy Chief Constable.png
Vancouver Police - Superintendent.png
Vancouver Police - Inspector.png
Vancouver Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Vancouver Police - Sergeant.png
Blank Police Epaulette.png

New Westminster Police Department

RankChief constableDeputy chief constableSuperintendent MajorSuperintendentInspectorStaff SergeantSergeantCorporalFirst class constable qualifiedFirst class constableSecond class constableThird class constableFourth class constable
Insignia
Vancouver Police - Chief Constable.png
Vancouver Police - Deputy Chief Constable.png
Vancouver Police - Inspector.png
Vancouver Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Vancouver Police - Sergeant.png
Blank.svg
Blank Police Epaulette.png
Blank Police Epaulette.png
Blank Police Epaulette.png
Blank Police Epaulette.png
Blank Police Epaulette.png

Vancouver Police Department

Rank [8] Chief constableDeputy chief constableSuperintendentInspectorStaff sergeantSergeantPolice constable 1st class/detectivePolice constable 2nd classPolice constable 3rd classPolice constable 4th class
Insignia [8]
Vancouver Police - Chief Constable.png
Vancouver Police - Deputy Chief Constable.png
Vancouver Police - Superintendent.png
Vancouver Police - Inspector.png
Vancouver Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Vancouver Police - Sergeant.png
Blank Police Epaulette.png
Blank Police Epaulette.png
Blank Police Epaulette.png
Blank Police Epaulette.png

Manitoba

Winnipeg Police Service

RankChief of policeDeputy chief of policeSuperintendentInspectorStaff sergeantSergeantDetective sergeant / patrol sergeantSenior constableConstable
Insignia
Winnipeg Police - Chief.png
Winnipeg Police - Deputy Chief.png
Winnipeg Police - Superintendent.png
Winnipeg Police - Inspector.png
Winnipeg Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Winnipeg Police - Sergeant.png
Detective Sergeant.png
Winnipeg Police - Senior Constable.png
Winnipeg Police - Constable.png

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Royal Newfoundland Constabulary

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is the provincial police service for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

RankCommanding officersSenior officersPolice officersOfficers in training
Chief constable Deputy chief Superintendent Inspector Staff sergeant Sergeant Constable Cadet
Insignia
RNC Chief.png
RNC Deputy Chief.png
RNC Superintendent.png
RNC Inspector.png
RNC Staff Sergeant.png
RNC Sergeant.png
RNC Constable.png
RNC Cadet.png

High Sheriff of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Office of the High Sheriff of Newfoundland and Labrador is a provincial law enforcement agency in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Founded in 1729, it is the oldest law enforcement agency in Canada.

Northwest Territories

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Sheriff Service

Source: [9]

Halifax Regional Police

Rank structure within the Halifax Regional Police is a standard structure similar to many other law enforcement organizations within Canada and even the United States. Starting with the highest-ranking commissioned officer within the department 'Chief of Police' all the way down to the 'Constable' not including 'Cadet', however, self-explanatory. [10]

Rank StructureInsignia
Chief of PoliceN/A
Deputy ChiefN/A
SuperintendentN/A
InspectorN/A
Staff SergeantN/A
SergeantN/A
ConstableN/A

Nunavut

Ontario

Ontario Provincial Police

Rank structure within the Ontario Provincial Police is paramilitary or quasi-military in nature, with several "non-commissioned" ranks leading to the "officer" ranks. Detective ranks fall laterally with the uniform ranks and is not a promotion above. Police constables in the OPP are uniquely known as "provincial constables." [11]

RankCommissionerDeputy commissionerChief superintendentSuperintendentInspectorSergeant majorStaff sergeant / Detective staff sergeantSergeant / Detective sergeantProvincial constable / Detective constable
1st to 4th class
Insignia

(slip-on)

OPP Commissioner.png
OPP Deputy Commissioner.png
OPP Chief Superintendent.png
OPP Superintendent.png
OPP Inspector.png
OPP Sergeant Major.png
OPP Staff Sergeant.png
OPP Sergeant.png
Blank Police Epaulette.png
Insignia

(shoulder board)

OPP Commissioner (SB).png
OPP Deputy Commissioner (SB).png
OPP Chief Superintendent (SB).png
OPP Superintendent (SB).png
OPP Inspector (SB).png
TitleSpecial constableSpecial constableAuxiliary constable
Insignia
OPP Special Constable.png
OPP Special Constable.png
OPP Auxiliary.png
NotesGHQ security, Queen's Park securityDigital forensics, forensic investigators, court security, offender transportAuxiliary policing program

Historic now defunct ranks:

Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police

The rank insignia of the Toronto Police Service is similar to that used by police services elsewhere in Canada and in the United Kingdom, except that the usual "pips" are replaced by maple leaves. The St. Edward's Crown is found on insignia of staff sergeant, all superintendent ranks and all commanding officer ranks. The same rank insignia are also used by the York Regional Police. [12]

RankCommanding officersSenior officersPolice officersOfficers in training
Chief of policeDeputy chief of policeStaff superintendentSuperintendentStaff inspectorInspectorStaff sergeantSergeantConstableCadet
Insignia

(slip-on)

Toronto Police - Chief of Police.png
Toronto Police - Deputy Chief of Police.png
Toronto Police - Staff Superintendent.png
Toronto Police - Superintendent.png
Toronto Police - Staff Inspector.png
Toronto Police - Inspector.png
Toronto Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Toronto Police - Sergeant.png
Toronto Police - Constable.png
Toronto Police - Cadet.png
Insignia

(shoulder board)

Toronto Police - Chief of Police (SB).png
Toronto Police - Deputy Chief of Police (SB).png
Toronto Police - Staff Superintendent (SB).png
Toronto Police - Superintendent (SB).png
Toronto Police - Staff Inspector (SB).png
Toronto Police - Inspector (SB).png
Shoulder boards not used for these ranks

Ottawa Police Service

RankCommanding officersSenior officersPolice officers
Chief of policeDeputy chief of policeSuperintendentInspectorStaff sergeantSergeantFirst class constableSecond class constableThird class constableFourth class constable
Insignia

(slip-on)

Toronto Police - Chief of Police.png
Toronto Police - Deputy Chief of Police.png
Toronto Police - Superintendent.png
Toronto Police - Inspector.png
Peel Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Peel Police - Sergeant.png
Peel Police - Senior Police Constable.png
Peel Police - Police Constable.png
Insignia

(shoulder board)

Toronto Police - Chief of Police (SB).png
Toronto Police - Deputy Chief of Police (SB).png
Toronto Police - Superintendent (SB).png
Toronto Police - Inspector (SB).png
Shoulder boards not used for these ranks

Peel Regional Police

RankCommanding officersSenior officersPolice officersRecruits
Chief of policeDeputy chief of policeStaff superintendentSuperintendentStaff inspector (not currently in use)InspectorStaff sergeantSergeantSenior police constablePolice constable first classPolice constable second classPolice constable third classPolice constable fourth classPolice cadet
Insignia

(slip-on)

Peel Police - Chief of Police.png
Peel Police - Deputy Chief.png
Peel Police - Staff Superintendent.png
Peel Police - Superintendent.png
Peel Police - Staff Inspector (Obsolete).png
Peel Police - Inspector.png
Peel Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Peel Police - Sergeant.png
Peel Police - Senior Police Constable.png
Peel Police - Police Constable.png
No insignia
Insignia

(shoulder board)

Peel Police - Chief of Police (SB).png
Peel Police - Deputy Chief (E).png
Peel Police - Staff Superintendent (E).png
Peel Police - Superintendent (E).png
Peel Police - Staff Inspector (Obsolete) (E).png
Peel Police - Inspector (E).png
Shoulder boards not used for these ranks
RankSpecial constables
Special constable supervisorSpecial constable
Insignia

(slip-on)

Peel Police - Special Constable Supervisor.png
Peel Police - Special Constable.png

Kingston Police

RankCommanding officersSenior officersPolice officers
Chief of policeDeputy chief of policeSuperintendentStaff InspectorInspectorStaff sergeantSergeantSenior police constableConstable
Insignia

(slip-on)

Toronto Police - Chief of Police.png
Toronto Police - Deputy Chief of Police.png
Toronto Police - Superintendent.png
Toronto Police - Staff Inspector.png
Toronto Police - Inspector.png
Toronto Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Toronto Police - Sergeant.png
Peel Police - Senior Police Constable.png
Toronto Police - Constable.png
Insignia

(shoulder board)

Toronto Police - Chief of Police (SB).png
Toronto Police - Deputy Chief of Police (SB).png
Toronto Police - Superintendent (SB).png
Toronto Police - Staff Inspector (SB).png
Toronto Police - Inspector (SB).png
Shoulder boards not used for these ranks

Cobourg Police Service

RankCommanding officersSenior officersPolice officers
Chief of policeDeputy chief of policeInspectorStaff sergeantSergeantConstable
Insignia
Peel Police - Chief of Police.png
Peel Police - Deputy Chief.png
Peel Police - Inspector.png
Toronto Police - Staff Sergeant.png
Toronto Police - Sergeant.png
Toronto Police - Constable.png
Insignia (shoulder board)
Peel Police - Chief of Police (SB).png
Peel Police - Deputy Chief (E).png
Peel Police - Inspector (E).png
Shoulder boards are not used for these ranks.

Durham Regional Police Service

Halton Regional Police Service

Waterloo Regional Police Service

West Grey Police

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Sûreté du Québec

Ranks of Sûreté du Québec [13] [14]
General staff officersOfficersSub-OfficersAgents
Directeur generalDirecteur adjoint Inspecteur chef Inspecteur Capitaine Lieutenant Sergent Chef d'equipe Agent
Director general of the SQAssociate directorChief inspectorInspectorCaptainLieutenantSergeantTeam leaderConstable
SQ-DG.png
SQ-DGA.png
SQ-INSPC.png
SQ-INSP.png
SQ-CPT.png
SQ-LT.png
SQ-SGT.png
SQ-CE.png
No insignia

Kativik Regional Police

Ranks and insignia of the Kativik Regional Police Force are similar to those of Sûreté du Québec.

Ranks of Kativik Regional Police
OfficersSub-Officers
Agents
ChefChef deputé Capitaine Sergent Agent
ChiefDeputy ChiefCaptainSergeantConstable
Blank.png Blank.png Blank.png Blank.png No insignia

Service de police de la Ville de Montréal

Ranks of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal : [15]

Service de police de la Ville de Laval

Service de police de la Ville de Québec

Saskatchewan

Regina Police Service

The Regina Police Service is a police force in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan that has the following ranks:

Saskatoon Police Service

Weyburn Police Service

The Weyburn Police Service is a Canadian Police Service in the Province of Saskatchewan.

Yukon

Specialized police services

Niagara Parks Police Service

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) is the police agency for Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN).

Transit Enforcement Unit

The Transit Enforcement Unit (TEU; formerly known as the Special Constable Services Department) is the transit law enforcement and corporate security unit of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) in Toronto.

University of Toronto Campus Community Police Service

Toronto Community Housing Community Safety Unit (CSU)

Auxiliary police

Different Canadian auxiliary police programs use various ranks, including some of the following:

Former police forces

Alberta Provincial Police

The Alberta Provincial Police was a police force active in Alberta, Canada, from 1917 until 1932.

Newfoundland Ranger Force

The Newfoundland Ranger Force was the police force of the Dominion of Newfoundland before its confederation with Canada.

North-West Mounted Police

Commissioned officers [16]
1870–1900CommissionerDeputy commissionerAssistant commissionerChief superintendentSuperintendentInspectorSub-inspector
British Army OF-8 - Lieutenant general (1856-1880).png
British Army OF-7 - Major general (1856-1880).png
British Army OF-6 - Brigadier General (1864-1880).png
British-Army-Col(1867-1880)-Collar Insignia.svg
British-Army-LtCol(1867-1880)-Collar Insignia.svg
British-Army-Maj(1867-1880)-Collar Insignia.svg
British-Army-Capt(1856-1880)-Collar Insignia.svg
Other ranks
1870sChief constable [17] Staff constable [18] Constable [17] Sub-constable
North-West Mounted Police Sergeant Major 1870s.png
North-West Mounted Police Staff Sergeant 1870s.png
British Army OR-04 - Corporal (1856-1880).png
Blank.svg
1880s–1890sSergeant major [19] Staff sergeant [20] Sergeant [21] CorporalConstable
North-West Mounted Police Sergeant Major 1880s.png
North-West Mounted Police Staff Sergeant 1880.png
North-West Mounted Police Sergeant 1880s.png
British Army OR-04 - Corporal (1856-1880).png
Blank.svg
1900sSergeant majorStaff sergeantSergeantCorporalConstable
North-West Mounted Police Sergeant Major 1880s.png
North-West Mounted Police Staff Sergeant 1880.png
British Army OR-05 - Sergeant (1856-1880).png
British Army OR-04 - Corporal (1856-1880).png
Blank.svg

References

  1. "Organizational structure - Royal Canadian Mounted Police". Rcmp-grc.gc.ca. 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 28 February 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  2. "Ranks of the Force". Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  3. "Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP¨) / Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) / Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC)". uniforminsignia.org.
  4. 1 2 "Ranks of the Force". rcmp-grc.gc.ca. Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  5. "Sub 3 - Sheriff, Security and Transport". Chr.alberta.ca. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  6. 1 2 "2008 Edmonton Police Service and Edmonton Police Commission - Annual Report to the Community". 2008. Archived from the original on 11 June 2010.
  7. "Deputy Sheriff Career Opportunities". gov.bc.ca. Government of British Columbia. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  8. 1 2 "The Job | Vancouver Police Department". Vancouver.ca. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  9. "Sheriff Services". novascotia.ca.
  10. "Halifax Regional Police", Wikipedia, 2024-03-13, retrieved 2025-05-02
  11. "OPP Ranks" . Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  12. Toronto Police Service. "Toronto Police Service :: To Serve and Protect". Torontopolice.on.ca. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  13. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. "Grades à la Sûreté du Québec" [Ranks at the Sûreté du Québec]. Sûreté du Québec (in French). Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  15. "Discover police work - Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal". SPVM. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  16. "Uniform" . Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Earliest Known Picture, 1874" . Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  18. "Staff Sergeant in Undress, 1879" . Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  19. "Sergeant-Major in Undress, 1890" . Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  20. "Staff Sergeant in Full Dress, 1886" . Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  21. Jack L. Summers; Renee Chartrand. "History and Uniform of the North West Mounted Police, 1873–1904" . Retrieved January 25, 2021.