The draft Regulation respecting the minimum qualifications required to exercise supervision functions within a police force has been published under the Police Act. It establishes the standards for personal, professional, and training requirements that police officers must meet to serve in supervisory roles on a permanent basis within a police force, excluding specialized forces. The purpose is to professionalize supervision, ensure consistency across forces, and strengthen the leadership capacity of those in charge of managing others.

To be eligible for supervisory responsibilities, officers must demonstrate specific personal and professional qualities. These include leadership, ethical judgment, strong communication abilities, decisiveness, adaptability, coordination skills, and organizational capacity. These qualities are intended to ensure that supervisors can effectively manage personnel, make sound decisions, and foster professional standards within the force.

In addition to personal attributes, the draft Regulation prescribes formal training requirements. Supervisors must complete the Supervision section of the Basic training program in police management offered by the École nationale de police du Québec. This training includes three components: management principles, police work, and the application of acquired knowledge. Officers are required to begin the training within six months of assuming supervisory duties and complete it within twenty-four months.

Flexibility is built into the framework through provisions for extensions. A police director may grant up to four months for starting the training late, or additional time if an officer fails to complete it on schedule. Overall, extensions may not exceed twelve months. In some cases, further extensions may be authorized by the Minister of Public Security.

The draft Regulation recognizes prior training and experience, allowing equivalencies and exemptions. Officers who previously completed courses such as Supervision de patrouille or Supervision d’enquêtes at the École nationale de police du Québec may be deemed compliant with certain components. Depending on the length of supervisory experience prior to the regulation’s implementation, officers may be exempt from parts of the training or required to complete only specific modules.

For officers who fail to complete the required training within the prescribed timelines, consequences are outlined. Such individuals must either follow a supervision plan approved by the police director or be reassigned to other functions until training is successfully completed. This safeguard ensures that unqualified individuals are not left in supervisory roles, maintaining professional standards and accountability within police forces.

Quebec (Draft) September 16, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and do not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.