Police Foundations
Overview
Do you have a passion to serve, protect, and lead? Our police foundations program gives students the confidence to explore different paths in law enforcement, security, and emergency management in the public and private sectors.
During the first year, a broad theoretical foundation is provided on human relations, diversity, mental health, critical interpersonal, communication, and team building skills, and an overview of the criminal justice system.
The second year focuses on courses specific to law enforcement, investigation, police powers, and community policing. Students achieve certification in Introduction to Incident Management System (IMS-100) from Emergency Management Ontario.
Enrolling in the Police Foundations program will give you two incredible years of experience, knowledge, and skill that will prepare you for careers in policing, security, corrections, and civilian work within the criminal justice sector. This program provides you with a solid foundation of practical skills development and makes you competitive in the field for a range of careers in public safety, policing, corrections, security, and enforcement services in public and private organizations.
Jala's Story - Why she chose Police Foundations
Admission Requirements
O.S.S.D. or equivalent with:
- Grade 12 English C or U
Mature Student Assessment for this program is available in the subject of English for the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in this required admission subject. For all other admission requirements, applicants must complete the required course(s) as listed above. For more information, please contact counselling@lambtoncollege.ca. Review the Mature Student Admission process.
Academic admission requirements can be obtained through Academic Upgrading and the Pre-Programs at Lambton College.
Community Crime Unit
Students who are selected to work in this new unit will receive first-hand training when it comes to supporting victims of crimes and safe guarding the community, while also gaining an understanding of the factors that can contribute to the crimes being committed.
Costs
- Year 1 $4,250.34
- Year 2 $4,144.68
Please Note: These fees apply to the 2026-2027 academic year and are subject to change. Fees do not include books (unless specifically noted), supplies or living costs.
Additional Fees
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Uniform$160.00
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Police Prep Application$100.00
Built-in Experiences
Safe Walk Program
Students gain volunteer hours and field related experience by participating in the Safe Walk program - an on-campus service that walks students and staff to various locations on campus after dark.
Faculty with Experience
Students are taught by a diverse group of faculty members who represent and still work within the criminal justice system, police, border, security and other related professions.
Specialized Curriculum
The program includes specialized courses that expose students to various first responder courses that allow for an interdisciplinary approach to learning.
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, Lambton College requires that each student have access to a laptop while studying at our college.
Labs & Equipment
Criminal Justice Lab
Students have the opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice in an innovative real-world setting. By moving beyond theory, students learn by doing and get first-hand experience pf practicing what has been taught.
Courses
Contact
School of Fire Science, Health & Community Services
Program Information
After Graduation
Employment Opportunities
Our graduates find employment with military police, special constables - transit police, by-law enforcement, Canada Border Services, correctional services, police services, loss prevention and retail security, alcohol and gaming, industrial and corporate security, and private security or investigation.
Accreditations & Certifications
Ontario Ministry of Solicitor General
Upon graduation, students are eligible to write the Ontario Ministry of Solicitor General licensing examinations which are mandatory for private investigation and security guards in Ontario.
Graduates are eligible to apply for dual licenses as an investigator or security guard.
Incident Management Certification
Students will achieve certification in Incident Management Certification from Emergency Management Ontario.
Pathways
Build on your education and complete a college diploma or university degree in Ontario, Canada, or abroad
Want to see more Ontario transfers? Visit ONTransfer.ca.
More Information
Career Considerations
All applicants should review the qualifications required to be eligible for a career in policing. These requirements are available at the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General website.
Skill Demands
Applicants should be aware that certain employment situations require a high level of overall physical fitness. However, the industry is so diverse that physical fitness may not be an issue. Some students with disabilities may require academic accommodations to equalize opportunities to meet the academic demands of a course or program.
Technology Requirements
It is recommended that you use a Windows laptop for your coursework. While other devices like MacBooks or Chromebooks might work for some tasks, they may not support all the software required for your program. If you're unsure, check with your professors before buying.
Internet Speed Requirements
To get the best experience while learning online, we recommend having an internet connection with at least 40 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. This will help you use video calls, attend online lectures, and access other learning tools smoothly.
Because students live in many different areas, we can't suggest a specific internet provider. You'll need to check with local companies to find one that works best for you.
Laptop Requirements
In order to access the internet and virtually-delivered software and courseware, student laptops should include the following at a minimum. By meeting the following specifications, students will be equipped to access software and courseware on their laptop through the internet:
- Intel i5 8th Gen Processor or equivalent
- 8GB of RAM
- 100 GB HDD or more
- Webcam with a microphone
- Wi-Fi capable (802.11n/ac 5GHz)
- Windows 11 operating system
Mobile Device
Students will require a mobile device (smartphone) for:
- Accessing your digital student ID
- Using campus applications and services
Software
To ensure students are getting the most our of their classroom experience, some software will be required.
Lambton College has made this software easily accessible online. Students can leverage our Microsoft Office 365 software packages and services. In addition, much of the software you require for your courses will be available on demand for use on any device - on or off campus.