Police Foundations

Canadian Charter and Criminal Code

This course introduces students to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Students are also introduced to the Canadian Criminal Code. Both the Charter and the Criminal Code are reinforced throughout their program of study.

Crisis Intervention and Conflict Management

In this course students are introduced to the theories and concepts surrounding conflict, conflict management and resolution, crisis identification, and crisis intervention.

Criminal Investigations, Forensics, and Evidence

This course will provide all students with a broad introduction to the theoretical, technical, and realistic issues surrounding the investigation and processing of a crime scene. The students will learn the various aspects of crime scene and evidence analysis, as well as the implications of evidence retrieval and processing.

Communications and Interpersonal Skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills are vital for a career in Law Enforcement. In this course students will develop oral and written communication skills, with an emphasis on law enforcement standards and verbiage. Report, letter and memo production will be developed and practiced. Also interpersonal skills, such as conflict resolution will be discussed and examined in an effort to teach the students the skills necessary to quell conflicts that they will respond to as a law enforcement person.

Criminal Justice in Canada

In this course, students examine the Canadian Criminal Justice System and its issues and become familiar with the Canadian Charter of Rights and the Criminal Code. Topics covered include the structure and operation of the criminal justice system including models of criminal justice, examples of crimes, Uniform Crime Reports, law enforcement services, court procedures, and correctional services.

Community Diversity

This course discusses First Nations Peoples in North America with the purpose of understanding the culture before its introduction to European culture. It also discussions marginalization and discrimination of First Nation people. Students will also explore the issues surrounding race and ethnicity in Canada today and the accompanying topics of the LBGT community and its contact with the law enforcement community.

Community Policing

This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the issues and challenges faced by Canadian Police Services and Communities. Students will be introduced to new strategies and programs designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of police services as they attempt to develop partnerships to respond to and prevent crime and social disorder.

Career Planning & Preparation - Level I

This module introduces tools for planning and preparing for a successful job search, so that students can maintain a career-focused approach throughout their education program. Students will learn about the "Hidden" Job Market and ways to access it in their upcoming job search, how to research opportunities and network for industry contacts, and use appropriate etiquette when communicating with prospective employers. Students will identify their personal skills, values and preferences for the workplace, begin preparation of a professional resume and references, and organize proof documents for their career portfolio. Class discussions on various self-management topics introduced in Student Success Strategies will round out this module, which is a pre-requisite for Career Planning and Preparation - Part II.

Career Planning & Preparation - Level II

This module continues to build on the concepts and skills introduced in Career Planning and Preparation - Part I. Students will learn how to conduct an effective job search and identify various methods of applying for work with today's technology. Students will create a personal list of "Top Employers" and target current industry opportunities, while finalizing their professional resume, portfolio and career correspondence. Students will learn to identify the different types and forms of interviews, practice responding to typical questions, and practice follow-up, evaluation and negotiation techniques they can use to ensure success. Self-management topics from Career Planning and Preparation - Part I will be reviewed, with a focus towards on-the-job success in both learner placements and post-graduate employment.

CPRF and First Aid/WHMIS

Upon successful completion of this course, students will achieve the St. John's Ambulance Standard Level First Aid and Level C CPR.

Courtroom Procedures and Testimony

This course focuses on courtroom procedures and testimony and provides students with the tools for presenting a case in court. Topics covered include the procedures for bringing an accused to court, the trial, disposition, appeal, classification of offenses, court jurisdiction, bail, interim release, consequences of breeches, rights of the accused, and the duty of the Crown, jury and Ministry of Justice.

Criminology for Police Foundations

This course introduces students to the study of Criminology. Topics covered include crime, crime analysis, correlation of criminal behavior and the psychological and social impact of crime and violence. Also behaviour and its relationship to genetics, environment and mental and physical disorders and crime are also discussed.

Fitness and Lifestyle Management

This course provides students with fitness and lifestyle knowledge and skills and encourages students to take personal responsibility for their health and well-being. Students will develop a personalized diet and exercise program. Focus will also be on stress and in particular those stresses that are commonly encountered in law enforcement.

Field Placement - Police Foundations

On successful completion of the classroom hours of this program, students will be placed on field placement at an outside organization. Students will have the opportunity to apply their newly developed knowledge and skills in a real-world environment. Host sites will be drawn from security industry.

Federal Statutes

This course will provide all students with an introduction to the various Federal Statutes enforced by most police officers in Canada, including Acts as the CDSA, Firearms Act, Anti-terrorism Act and various weapons offences in the Criminal Code. The students will also gain an understanding of the concepts of Federal Legislative Jurisdiction and the involvement of various police agencies in enforcement of various Federal Statutes.

Interviewing and Interrogation Skills

This course guides students through the pitfalls and hazards of investigative interviewing, and provides a solid legal and practical foundation for the development of interviewing skills. Often the most valuable and most elusive skills a police officer can develop are those related to the collection of witness information. Frequently, the most important evidence in a criminal case comes in the form of oral testimony; but oral evidence is also the most vulnerable to damage at the pre-trial stage. Memories fade, stories change, and willing witnesses sometimes lose their appetite for disclosure. The collection and preservation of critical evidence at the earliest possible stage depends on thorough and careful police work. Even more sensitive is the evidence of the accused - it must be collected in compliance with constitutional rights to be of any value to the prosecution.

Introduction to Policing & Canadian Government and Politics

This course provides students with an introduction to the Canadian Constitution, Canadian Politics, the government, how laws are created and implemented, and the concepts of public administration including issues such as government regulation, deregulation and privatization. As well, students will be provided with a general introduction to policing in Canada. This will include an overview of how Police Services operate; discipline, first impressions, professionalism and the types of daily activities police officers will be faced with. Students will learn of the hierarchy of rank within various police services and the rank structure.

National Security

This course is designed to give the students an understanding of present day issues involving National Security in the areas of terrorism, information security. Students will also learn about the roles of different policing bodies and their contributions to national security. Additionally, students will learn techniques to defend against privacy and personal security issues as it relates to law enforcement.

Officer Safety and Protecting the Public

This course exposes students to common issues and routines related to law enforcement. With a focus on officer safety, students will develop strategies to prevent and avoid dangerous situations. Students will be asked to demonstrate the use of the duty belt and its equipment. Discussions will involve the use of force and the aspect of disengagement as a viable option.

Private Security Patrol Procedures

Students will be instructed on the fundamental aspects of patrol procedures that security professionals may encounter during their employment. Students will examine common areas that are patrolled and the procedures that take place to secure these premises. Additionally, students will discuss crime and prevention.

Police Powers and Authority

Using a problem solving approach, this course provides students with basic information about arrests, search and seizure, release and charging an offender.

Professionalism and Ethics

This course focuses on the ethical issues and dilemmas faced by police officers and related professionals. Students will learn to clarify their values, establish a framework for ethical decision-making, and apply techniques to the moral/ ethical decision-making process. Real life ethical dilemmas that relate to a wide variety of concerns in the policing profession are explored and examined.

Provincial Statutes/ Offences

Students will become familiar with the interpretation and application of Provincial Statutes, common offences and the involvement of non-police agencies in association with police agencies. Students will be given opportunities to fill out Provincial Offence Notices, Summons and all related materials.

Psychology and Mental Health

This course will introduce students to the psychological research methods and perspectives. Students will be exposed to topics such as The Scientific Method, sensations and perceptions, states of consciousness, learning, memory, and intelligence. This material will be examined as it relates to law enforcement in Canada.

Software Lab - Computer Fundamentals

Through a combination of theory and hands-on-practice, this module examines the role and use of the computer in today’s workplace. Emphasis is placed on those computers outfitted with the Microsoft Windows operating system. Students will review basic computer concepts, Windows OS usage, and complete hands-on training exercises in business-standard software applications, including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word. Keyboarding skills are also honed via daily keyboarding exercises and drills

Software Lab - Word Processing

This software lab module consists of online training and assessment in Microsoft Word, and builds on the skills introduced in Computer Fundamentals. Students learn a comprehensive set of skills, with coverage including formatting text for layout and appearance, formatting document sections, using styles, working with header/footer content, inserting and formatting tables, graphics and pictures, working with templates and themes, using advanced editing features, and working with mailing tools.

Software Lab - Spreadsheets

This software lab module consists of online training and assessment in Microsoft Excel. Students learn a comprehensive set of skills, with coverage including creating, formatting and printing worksheets, creating simple and advanced formulas, using mathematical, logical, statistical and financial functions, creating and modifying charts and pivot tables, and using data tools.

Sociology for Police Foundations

This course will provide Police Foundation students with an introduction to social concepts. Students will be presented with the various perspectives of sociology, including gender inequality, wealth disparity, sex trade, and globalization. The course will associate sociology principals to law enforcement.

Student Success Strategies

In this orientation module, emphasis is placed on thinking about achieving success from Day One. This module stresses the importance of developing non-technical skills to enhance personal, academic, and career success. This includes understanding learning styles and honing practical study skills, such as memory, reading, note-and test-taking techniques. Personal exercises will focus on teamwork, decision making and problem solving skills, setting SMART goals and maintaining a positive attitude; techniques for managing change, stress and conflict will also be explored.

Traffic Management and Accident Investigation

This course introduces students to the Highway Traffic Act and procedures surrounding accident investigations. Students will develop a working knowledge of the Highway Traffic Act, learn to interpret offences, and become familiar with the skills and strategies required for information gathering and investigative techniques used in enforcing the Highway Traffic Act.

Youth and the Criminal Justice System

This course is designed to address current issues regarding youth and their involvement in the judicial system. This course will discuss urban and rural issues and examine the present policies and guidelines around the issues of cyber-bullying, gangs and internet safety. Students will also learn about risks and prevention techniques associated with internet usage.