dalredane:
The term "Security Officer" is outdated. It has been replaced by "Military Police Officer", although the information you find at the CF Recruiting Centre may still be using the outdated term.
The change happended a couple of years ago when the CF Security Branch was officially re-named as the CF Military Police Branch. Prior to this change, the Branch was called the Security Branch, because it was formed as part of Unification in 1968, by amalgamating the RCN Shore Patrol, the Canadian Provost Corps (pre-1968 Army MPs), the Canadian Intelligence Corps (pre-1968 Army Intelligence), the RCAF Service Police, and RCAF Intelligence into one organisation. The officers were called Security Officers (and could be either MPs or Intelligence, and for a short time were trained to be both) and the NCMs were MPs or Intelligence Operators. In 1983, a separate Intelligence Branch was created, and the Security Branch became an MP-only organisation. The Security Branch was later re-named as the MP Branch to properly reflect its role.
In today‘s CF MP Branch:
- the officers are called Military Police Officers (abbreviated as MP O); and
- the NCMs are called Military Policemen or Military Policewomen (abbreviated as MP).
I personally believe that MP O is a good career choice. However, as I am an MP O (Army Reserve, not Regular Force) I am probably biased. As an MP O, you have a wide range of career opportunities. MP Os lead MP units or Base MP Sections, advise senior commanders and HQ staffs on MP and security matters, can serve on UN or NATO operations outside Canada. If you have the talent and prove yourself, you could be selected for employment in the CF National Investigation Service (a military equivalent to civilian police Criminal Investigation Branch) or the CF National Counter-Intelligence Unit (a combined MP & Intelligence Unit often confused with NIS). Although there is much in common, MP O career opportunities vary in the Navy, Army, and Air Force.
You should note that MP Os do not normally perform hands-on policing duties. As an MP O you don‘t drive patrol cars, carry handcuffs and batons, or in most cases carry out arrests. These functions are performed by MP NCMs. MP Os lead, command, and administer MP units, or act as specialist MP Advisors in higher headquarters.
Many of the MP O jobs are fairly desk-bound. However, if you are posted to an MP Platoon (there are only three in the Regular Force), you will have a chance to lead an Army MP unit in the field.
If you would like more specific information on MP O duties and entry standards, I suggest you go see your local CF Recruiting Centre (the info might still use the term "Security Officer").
Cheers!