Centennial College's Police Foundations program is geared towards those who have an interest in police, security and investigation-related occupations in both the public and private sectors.

In this two-year joint diploma program, you'll take Police Foundations courses in the School of Community and Health Studies that will cover:

• Current laws
• Investigative techniques
• Conflict resolution techniques
• Criminal proceedings
• Community policing principles
• Physical fitness
• Emergency Management and Public Safety

The time you'll spend in the Police Foundations courses will result in the ability to communicate efficiently, act as a problem-solver, work effectively in teams and help people in the community

Program Highlights

• The Police Foundations program will consist of intense training, equivalent to a paramilitary environment, which will help you to develop discipline and deportment.
• Courses will be based on real-life experiences and case studies that incorporate a fundamental perspective on life.

Once you complete your Police Foundations courses, you'll be able to:

• Document, prepare and assist in the presentation of court cases in compliance with criminal and provincial law, rules of evidence, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
• Assess the use of police powers;
• Initiate, promote and facilitate partnerships to meet community policing and security needs;
• Assess the relationship of policing services to other participants in the criminal justice system and other community service agencies;
• Make sound decisions based on an evaluation of situations;
• Cope with stress and optimize physical fitness and wellness;
• Apply fundamental concepts of political science, law, and legislative policy making and public administration to the provision of police services;
• Assess information-gathering skills used in basic investigative techniques;
• Assess crisis intervention strategies;
• Develop strategies to assist victims of crime.

Upon completing their fourth semester, students will be able to take a case from investigation through presentation in Court. Students will be able to think critically about social justice issues and the implications of their actions through IPE (Inter-professional education) experiences. They will experience all components of the physical fitness tests currently used by police and military services while learning about the importance of personal fitness and life-long wellness.. They will understand how to deal with crisis situations involving the public or themselves. Students will be prepared to engage in private or public sector policing, investigations and security.

Career Outlook

• Police officer
• Customs and excise officer
• Security officer
• Military police
• Corrections officer
• Private security officer (in loss prevention and corporate security)
• Investigator

Education Pathways

Listed below are the credentials from partnering institutions that are available for this program.