Police Foundations

This introductory course provides the student with an overview of the Canadian Criminal Justice System with a particular emphasis on the history, function, role, and organization of Canadian law enforcement services. The operation of the criminal justice system will be examined and analysed in light of contemporary issues affecting the system. Each of the major components from enforcement through the courts and correctional services will be explored.

In this course, students explore the fundamentals of human development, behaviour, and enculturation in Canada. Learners examine the scientific study of human behaviour and mental processes. Students also learn various sociological perspectives and concepts that explain human society and social behaviour.

In this course, students examine professionalism, self-growth, communication skills, and career readiness. Learners will explore various careers in the field of public safety and the intersections of technical and personal competencies required for each. Students will gain skills that support them in job evaluation for their transition from college to the workplace.

This course focuses on ethical issues faced by individuals as citizens and professionals with a concentration on issues that might reasonably be expected to arise within the field of law enforcement. Students analyze values, ethical theories, and professional codes of conduct to develop reasoning skills in support of ethical behaviour. Students then apply ethical decision-making models to address personal and professional dilemmas by taking a stand on these issues and defending their approach.

This course introduces the student to the concepts of wellness and provides practical strategies for developing a healthy lifestyle. Students, through a variety of teaching strategies including practical experience and self-evaluation, address physical fitness, nutrition, self-responsibility, and social interaction. The student develops strategies to effectively design and implement a personal fitness program that enhances future career success in the law enforcement field.

Communications for Law Enforcement focuses on developing communication skills frequently used by police officers and other law enforcement personnel. Students practice reading, writing, and listening to become familiar with professional communication practices, and complete written documentation that follows guidelines used by law enforcement agencies.

This course provides an examination of various theoretical explanations of criminal and deviant behaviour including the sociological, biological and psychological perspectives. Criminological theory provides an explanation of criminal activity and crime causation. The reality of crime in Canada including victimology is examined through crime statistics and issues of criminal behaviour. The impact of criminological theory on the development and effectiveness of the criminal justice system is discussed with an emphasis on future trends within the system.

Interpersonal skills are recognized as being increasingly important in the field of law enforcement. This course focuses on developing self-awareness and interpersonal skills to enhance the student’s ability to interact with others effectively. Topics include leadership, norm setting, conflict resolution and effective group decision-making. This is an experiential course and a safe place to explore new skills.

In this course, students explore the network of community and social service agencies that exist, how they link to the Criminal Justice System, and how they support vulnerable and diverse populations. Learners explore their attitudes and biases towards specific social issues and populations. Students review the history and ways of knowing and being of Canada's Indigenous Peoples as well as the curren social and political climate.

Society has come to recognize that personal and collective wellness is essential to the enhanced quality of life for the individual and to benefit society as a whole. Students, through a variety of teaching strategies, including lectures, practical experience and self-evaluation address physical fitness, stress management, coronary heart disease, shift work and back health. The student is provided with experiences and knowledge to implement an effective personal fitness plan that develops the physical capacities related to occupational evaluations in policing and law enforcement in general.

Prerequisite(s): POFP108 

In this course, students explore a transitional analysis of issues relating to criminal law within the Canadian Justice System. Students explore the foundation of criminal law in Canada, identify and interpret statute and case law relating to procedural and substantive law, identify the function of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms within Canada, along with applying the fundamental principles of criminal law as they apply to pre-trial, trial, and sentencing matters. In addition, this course provides the student with an introductory examination of civil law in Canada. The students identify how civil law matters in Canada related to public safety. 

This course provides an introduction to the democratic system of governing in Canada along with an overview of organizational theories as they pertain to delivering publicly funded services. The course examines the organization of our government, federal, provincial, and municipal, and examines the main function of each. Students explore and analyze the political processes in Canada along with contemporary issues affecting our political system and the organizational administration workings.

This course focuses on the theories and models of community mobilization and engagement and the role of the community in reducing and preventing crime using proactive crime prevention strategies. Students learn how police use mobilization and engagement with communities to promote the safety, security, and well-being of its citizens. Through this course, students demonstrate their understanding of community mobilization and engagement by applying basic proactive crime prevention strategies.

This course examines a number of pertinent areas of policing and police powers including sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that impact Canadian criminal procedures, citizen and police powers of arrest, release authorities, and police discretion. Through a variety of teaching strategies including practical scenarios, students have the opportunity to examine the procedures involved in arrest, release, and use of discretion.

This course focuses on interviewing and investigation principles and procedures. Students learn to recognize and develop the observational and communication skills needed to conduct a basic interview with victims, witnesses, suspects and the accused. Students study problem solving methods, various interviewing techniques, and learn the basic investigative sequence that is applicable to any investigation.

Prerequisite(s): COMM204

Based on the skills and knowledge gained in Lifestyle Management 1 and 2, this course centers on the practical application of physical occupational requirements. Students apply the fitness concepts both learned and experienced to develop and improve the physical components of fitness related to the occupational field of law enforcement. Students are exposed to a variety of physical evaluations used in law enforcement including the PREP and PARE. In addition, students develop a better understanding of stress and its influence on officer performance and mental health. Through practical applications, theory, and self-evaluation, students identify the physiological response of the human body to stress and the impact it has on fitness, job performance, decision-making, and individual wellness.

This course introduces students to an overview of the nature of mental illness and mental health. In addition to examining various types of mental illness, students evaluate current issues in the mental health field and identify the role of the law enforcement in assisting with mental health problems.

This course is designed to develop the ability of the participant to intervene in conflict and crisis situations with competence and confidence. The conflict situation is examined from its inception through intervention by police. Various problem-solving skills and non-violent intervention techniques are discussed along with intervention strategies directed toward specific incidents. The student is taught to recognize behaviour patterns that may lead to violent encounters and the appropriate legal responses to these encounters. These responses emphasize officer safety through awareness and preparation.

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This course focuses on helping students assess potential career choices available to them upon graduation in relation to their personal skills and abilities. Students learn the importance of establishing a professional image, as well as how to prepare a cover letter, resume, and develop references. Students are introduced to a variety of law enforcement entry exams and have an opportunity to complete practice tests. Students prepare for employment opportunities by implementing strategies and practicing assessment methods used by employers.

This course enables the student to explain and analyze the philosophical, contemporary, and historical perspectives of young people in conflict with the law in Canada. The Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Child and Family Services Act, and other relevant legislation are examined from the perspective of both the young person and the involved agencies.

This course allows learners to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to locate, interpret, and analyze provincial legislation. Students have the opportunity to practice enforcement procedures in relation to a variety of provincial offences. The course emphasizes the importance of working collaboratively with other provincial and municipal agencies when enforcing provincial statutes.

This course is a continuance of Police Powers I. It focuses on police powers of search and seizure, police governance, accountability, management and labour issues, law and legal issues related to the use of force, and officer safety.

This course focuses on the procedures for collecting and presenting evidence in a court of law. Students acquire the skills and knowledge required to conduct a preliminary analysis of a crime scene. Students learn how to properly identify, collect, document, and preserve evidence so that it may be used as part of a police investigation and may be presented as admissible evidence in the court of law. Students learn court procedures related to evidence.

This course is designed as a continuation of the need for a lifelong commitment to fitness to enhance the opportunity to achieve success in the physical occupational requirements in law enforcement. Students have the opportunity to apply previous experiences and knowledge to further develop the physical literacy required in law enforcement occupations. Students also continue to build on their understanding of the human body's response to stress by examining methods that would minimize its negative effects. Through practical scenarios, theory, and self-reflection, the student develops techniques and strategies to build resiliency to stress for improved performance, mental health, and overall wellness.

Prerequisite(s): POFP308