Job prospects Peace Officer in Québec

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "peace officer" in Québec or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Québec

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Police officers (except commissioned) (NOC 42100) in Quebec for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Employment in this occupation is primarily dependent on government spending on police services. Although the demand for prevention services is growing, its impact is limited on the occupation, given the small increase in funding at the federal and provincial levels. At the municipal level, many cities are facing fiscal challenges and have had to cut spending on these services. 

However, additional funds have recently been allocated to tackle gun violence, which will have a positive impact on employment. 

In addition, the practice of this occupation is influenced by new ways of organizing work, technological innovations requiring upgrading, and legislative changes requiring knowledge upgrading. 

Interventions with vulnerable clients with mental health or criminal problems will continue to increase, placing positive pressure on this occupation. 

Recruiting and retaining police officers, especially in large cities, will remain a major challenge. Greater exposure to risky situations during patrols is one of the many reasons that helps to explain why there is still a large number of vacancies. 

Here are some key facts about Police officers (except commissioned) in Quebec:

• Approximately 18,650 people work in this occupation.
• Police officers (except commissioned) mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 54%
  • Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 35%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 10%
• 86% of police officers (except commissioned) work all year, while 14% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 72% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 28% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 82% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Québec by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "peace officer" Police officers (except commissioned) (NOC 42100) or across Canada.

Learn more