Three Rivers Police Department – Trois-Rivières, QC

Direction de la police de Trois-Rivières Headquarters

History and Organization

The Trois-Rivières Police Department (Direction de la police de Trois-Rivières) has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1857. For over a century, the force operated under a unique ”police-firefighter” model, where officers were cross-trained to perform both law enforcement and firefighting duties. This dual-role system, one of the last of its kind in North America, was officially discontinued in 2015 to allow for specialized policing. The modern force was significantly reshaped in 2002 following the municipal mergers, integrating the police departments of Cap-de-la-Madeleine and Trois-Rivières-Ouest. Today, the headquarters on Boulevard des Forges serves as the central command post for patrolling the city’s 228 square kilometers and protecting its population.

24/7 Front Desk Services

The headquarters maintains a public-facing reception area that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring that citizens always have a safe place to go in an emergency. The front desk officers (préposés à l’accueil) facilitate several non-emergency administrative services:

• Criminal Record Checks: Residents can request background checks for employment or volunteer purposes. Applicants must present two valid pieces of government identification (at least one with a photo, such as a driver’s license or health insurance card). While the service is available, processing times may vary.
• Towing Release: Citizens whose vehicles have been impounded by the police must visit the headquarters to pay the requisite towing and storage fees before the vehicle can be released from the pound.
• Event Reporting: Victims of non-urgent crimes (theft, mischief) or those involved in minor traffic accidents can file official police reports on-site.

Community Safety and Prevention

The station is designed to be a hub for community interaction. It features a designated ”Safe Exchange Zone” (Zone de rencontre neutre) in the parking lot or lobby, monitored by cameras, where citizens can safely conclude online marketplace transactions or exchange custody of children. The department also runs various prevention programs from this location, including the ”Pair Program” for seniors and fraud prevention workshops.

Operational Divisions

Behind the scenes, the building houses the department’s specialized units, including the Criminal Investigations Division, which handles major crimes, sexual assaults, and narcotics. The facility also contains temporary detention cells for individuals arrested within the jurisdiction before their transfer to the courthouse or a provincial detention center. The headquarters acts as the nerve center for emergency dispatch and strategic planning for large-scale events in the city.