Unconventional Pathways: Insights from Quebec’s New Path to Investigative Policing

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

For the first time in Quebec’s police history, access to the police officer role is available without traditional training or an equivalent. This opportunity arises from the introduction of a new training program in investigation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Commissioner and delivered by the Quebec National Police Academy. Consequently, individuals from civilian backgrounds can now receive specialized training to become police investigators working within an independent police force dedicated to fighting corruption (Unité permanente anticorruption). Studying this program provides insights into the experiences of civilians transitioning to police work, encompassing their motivations, interactions with traditional officers, and perceptions of their roles and contributions. This research focuses on feedback from police investigators who undertook this unconventional path, examining its broader impact on policing. It contributes to the existing literature by offering new perspectives on the covered themes and by providing significant insights into professional relationships between police officers and individuals originating from civilian workplaces. The results illuminate the current landscape in Quebec, highlighting both the benefits and challenges of this innovative training, as perceived by its inaugural cohort. Overall, this research serves as a valuable resource for refining police training programs and acknowledging the contributions of non-traditional police officers.

Author

• Mavrick Langlois, Université de Montréal