Quebec facing severe shortage of police officers, federation warns

July 3rd, 2006 · No Comments

Canadian Press via Canada.com, July 03, 2006

MONTREAL (CP) - Quebec is facing a police shortage that must be addressed by graduating an additional 300 cadets annually, the federation of Quebec police said Monday.

The federation asked the police academy in Nicolet, Que. - which already graduates about 600 officers each year - to open more spaces for students.

Finding candidates for a policing career isn’t a problem, the group said.

According to Paulin Aube, the federation’s vice-president, more officers are needed because of additional assignments, including traffic and adding 50 to 100 officers into Montreal’s metro system.

“I believe there are many young people who are interested in becoming police officers in Quebec,” he said. “The problem is that Nicolet only graduates 600 per year. I believe there are many more potential candidates who are prepared to enrol.”

Police shortages are also being felt by several forces. The RCMP needs at least 60 more officers in Quebec. In Montreal, the police force requires 158 temporary officers for the summer.

Aube said the shortage of officers isn’t yet posing a security problem. But the growing number of task could have a long-term impact, especially as many of the officers hired in the 1970 and 80s retire.