Police Foundations

Criminology

Criminology seeks to understand the underpinnings of criminal and deviant behaviour. Students examine this behaviour through sociological, biological and psychological perspectives. Students apply this knowledge in critical examination of Canadian and global crimes and statistics. A contemporary look at victimology and restorative justice is also provided.

Ethical Reasoning

This courses focuses on ethical issues faced by the individual as a person and more particularly as a professional with authority and responsibility for law enforcement. It will help the student clarify their values and establish a framework for ethical decision making. The course will focus the students' minds on the importance of moral philosophy as a component of the decision making process.

Criminal & Civil Law

In this course students will examine the nature, role, and function of law. This course will provide students with a fundamental understanding of the concepts and principles of criminal and civil law in Canadian society. In addition, students will identify the rights and freedoms of citizens in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and determine its importance to the criminal justice process. Students will research and analyze various provincial and federal statutes and judicial decisions to consider the impact these have on law enforcement.

Communications in Public Safety

This course is designed for students in the public safety field to further develop their communication skills, which are essential for effective working relationships with individuals and teams in the work environment. Students will write workplace and research reports and continue to hone their critical thinking skills. Students will develop their presentation skills by sharing research and findings with their peers through oral presentations.

FItness & LIfestyle Management II

This course is a continuation of PED 1202, further exploring concepts related to health, wellness, and physical fitness. Emphasis is placed on students identifying current lifestyle behaviours and developing strategies which would result in a healthier lifestyle. Students will also continue to work toward achieving fitness standards associated with Bona Fide Occupational Requirement evaluation.

Political Structure & Public Administration

Canadian politics and structure, modern bureaucracy, global citizenship, sustainability, political socialization, civil rights and mass media. Whether you realize it or not you are being influenced and your opinions are being shaped, by each and every one of these. So isn't it time to turn the tables, time to start shaping the system, in short, time to take POL 1303. By offering a survey of each of the above through the lens of intersectionality learners will explore not only the structure of Canadian politics but the influence of each sphere on public opinion, law and policy. Small group discussion, gamification, and critical analysis of current events all offer learners an alternate path to demonstrate learning while expanding their understanding and employing critical analysis skills.

Behavioural Health for First Responders

The current climate in first response demands that service providers be proactively prepared with a keen awareness of the demands of the job both personally and professionally. Students who take this course will develop essential self-awareness skills, enhance their knowledge of mental health issues in themselves and others, learn to foster collegiality through team work, and augment their understanding of the impact of workplace dynamics on one's mental health. Successful completion of the course will result in improved resiliency to meet the demands of a career in first response.

General Education Elective

Professional & Practical Issues

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of workplace and professional issues in the field of criminal justice. Further, this course will foster an understanding of various career opportunities in the Criminal Justice Field with practical discussions and presentations from employment representatives. The course assists students in preparation to enter the workplace, including: designing a cover letter and resume, online job searches, information interviewing and presentation of oneself at a job interview.

Youth in Conflict with the Law

This course focuses on the historical and philosophical development of federal and provincial laws in response to youth crime in Canadian society. Students examine and analyze, in the context of the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other relevant legislation, the legal processes and court structure applicable to youthful offenders. Alternative methods of response to youth crime including extra judicial measures are identified as an alternative to the court system. Contemporary issues including, but not limited to, youth gangs, bullying, use of weapons and restorative justice are discussed.

Fitness & Lifestyle Management III

Based on the skills and knowledge gained in Lifestyle Management I and II, this course focuses on the practical application of bonified physical and occupational requirements needed in the profession of the Law Enforcement Officer. Emphasis is placed on students identifying current lifestyle behaviours and developing appropriate strategies, which would result in a healthier lifestyle. Students continue to work toward achieving fitness standards that will allow them to pass the PREP testing.

Criminal Code

In this course, students examine and apply sections of the Criminal Code of Canada. Students analyze specific elements of selected offences including offenses against the person, against property, and against public order. Students research case law and assess its impact on criminal offences.

Interviewing & Investigation

This course focuses on interviewing and investigation skills. Students develop the interviewing skills necessary to retrieve information from victims, witnesses, and suspects. They also learn the basic steps of investigation including the practical development of note-taking and observation skills.

Police Powers

This course focuses on police governance and accountability issues related to the Police Services Act, police complaints, and First Nation's policy, as well as management and labour issues. Legal authority and contemporary issues relating to use of force within the police occupation are examined. The Ontario use of force continuum is discussed in the context of officer safety. Further, this course examines pertinent sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and their impact on the Canadian criminal procedure. Citizen and police arrest and release authorities, police powers of search and seizure with and without warrant, and police discretion and its implications are discussed. This course enables the student to become familiar with police terminology and to apply the procedures required to affect arrest, release and compelling the attendance of the accused to court. As police officers are among the few public servants authorized to use force, accountability measures must be established so this authority is not abused. The use of force and other powers granted to police make the issue of accountability more important for policing than for other professions. A practical knowledge of the variety of processes via which police are held accountable for their actions is invaluable to the law enforcement student. Powers of arrest, search and seizure granted to individuals participating in law enforcement provide authority, by statute, for the restriction and elimination of the rights and freedoms of individuals in Canadian society. A practical knowledge of these authorities and their application must be learned to protect the individual and their future employers from civil and criminal liability. Powers of arrest, search and seizure granted to individuals participating in law enforcement provide authority, by statute, for the restriction and elimination of the rights and freedoms of individuals in Canadian society. A practical knowledge of these authorities and their application must be learned to protect the individual and their future employers from civil and criminal liability.

Provincial Offences

Students interpret and apply provincial statutes. Topics studied include arrest, search and seizure authorities, common offences and the involvement of non-police agencies. Statutes examined will be: Provincial Offences Act, Liquor License Act, Trespass to Property Act, Residential Tenancies Act (2006), the Blind Persons' Rights Act, Mental Health Act, Coroners Act, Child and Family Services Act, and the Family Law Act.

General Education Elective

Emergency Preparedness

This course focuses on the coordinated efforts that are required to respond quickly and effectively to a broad range of emergencies from pandemics, to natural wide ranging weather events, man-made and deliberately planned disasters or terrorist attacks. Students focus on case-studies and problem-based learning. Students will gain a practical perspective of the various emergency response agencies and their roles as well as detail the importance of interaction, interagency collaboration and effective communication of responders at the scene.

Conflict Management

Managing conflict is an essential skill pertinent to all human service professionals. Successful crisis intervention provides for the ability to proficiently defuse a situation before physical and/or emotional destruction occurs. This course is designed to develop the capability of the participant to intervene in conflict and crisis situations with competence and confidence. The conflict situation is examined from its inception through intervention. Various problem-solving skills and non-violent intervention techniques are taught. Students learn to recognize behaviour patterns that may lead to violent encounters and the appropriate legal responses to these encounters. These responses emphasize safety through awareness and preparation. Students who successfully complete this course receive certification by the Crisis Prevention Institute in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.

Fitness & Lifestyle Management IV

Based on the skills and knowledge gained in Lifestyle Management I, II, and III, this course centres on the practical application of Bonified physical and occupational requirements needed in the profession of the Law Enforcement Officer. Emphasis is placed on students identifying current lifestyle behaviours and developing appropriate strategies, which would result in a healthier lifestyle. Students continue to work toward achieving fitness standards that prepare them to be successful with the PARE testing.

Criminal Code & Federal Statutes

Students will analyze elements of offences related to weapons and the Firearms Act, controlled drugs and substances and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Provisions of other Federal Statutes and their relationship with the Criminal Code will also be examined.

Investigation & Evidence

In this course, students examine the requirements of a continuing investigation. They learn the rules of evidence and develop the ability to apply the said rules in the collection and presentation of evidence in a court of law. Forensic requirements, statute law and other related issues are emphasized.

Community Policing

The Community Policing course examines the evolution of modern policing and the issues that have arisen to cause the established essential service to re-create itself to better address the functional demands made in the Information Age. This course is designed to provide the student with knowledge of existing models of Community Policing and the importance of community involvement to help resolve issues and to sustain safe communities. Problem-solving models and alternate dispute strategies are examined.

Traffic Management

Students develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to interpret and apply sections of the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario and its regulations. As well, students practise locating topics in the act and regulations; master the definitions required to interpret traffic law; and apply the law concerning police authorities, driver's licences, permits and rules of the road. As well, students develop and use strategies and procedures to manage an accident scene.

Integrated Emergency Response Capstone

This Integrated Emergency Response Capstone course focuses on the coordinated efforts that are required to respond quickly and effectively to a planned practical exercise of a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). Students will gain a practical perspective of the various emergency response agencies and their specific roles as well as detail the importance of interaction, interagency collaboration and effective communication of responders at the scene.