Police Foundations - Loyalist College of Applied Arts and TechnologyPolice Education in CanadaCrime and Fire Programs -- Community College Programs
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Police Foundations - Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology's 2-year Police Foundations diploma is a career-oriented program designed for individuals who aspire to a career in policing or related areas, like security. The Program will train candidates in 'the most rigorous physical fitness standard used in any hiring process, preparing Loyalist graduates to place among the top tier of applicants in this competitive field.' More specifically, the Program 'prepares graduates for the requirements of the Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police (PREP) and Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Certificate.' The first year of the Program shares its curriculum with the College's other 4 offerings in justice studies in Community and Justice Services Worker, Corporate and Commercial Security, Customs and Immigration, and Paralegal. Upon successful completion of the first year of study, students will have the option of switching to another program in justice studies program or continue with the Police Foundations diploma. During the first year, students will mainly be introduced to a wide range of criminal justice-related topics in Law, Physical Fitness, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology as well as to careers in justice services; furthermore, students will develop knowledge and skills in communications, computers, ethical decision-making, the justice system, and 'insight into human behaviour.' The second year of the Police Foundations program will be mostly focussed on developing the knowledge and skills required for effective police work, including about how 'to interpret and apply the law' and 'personal safety and respect for victims.' Participants will also combine academic studies 'with hands-on techniques' and apply and practice what they have learned in the classroom via '320 hours of on-the-job experience in two field placements.' Graduates of the Program may pursue careers, career advancement, and/or educational opportunities in policing, corrections, security, and other related areas of the criminal justice system. Students should be aware, however, that having a criminal record could be an obstacle to finding employment in the Criminal Justice field as many employers are reluctant to hire those with a criminal history. Moreover, some careers may require further training or requirements beyond the diploma, as determined by individual employers. Most police departments, for example, require candidates to write assessment examinations, meet certain physical and psychological pre-requisites, have valid CPR, First Aid, and driver's license, and undergo recruit training.. Career-wise, graduates may be employed in various positions across Canada, including working for educational or governmental institutions, private organizations, or for employers in the non-profit or private sector. For example, graduates may work in the areas of administration, corrections, crime prevention, criminal investigation, criminal law, government, insurance, law and law enforcement, national security, offender case management, policing, private and public investigation, public and private security, the courts, victim services, and young offenders, to name but a few. Common employers of graduates have included, among others, Canada Customs and Immigration, correctional facilities, federal and provincial law enforcement agencies, halfway houses, military police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and various municipal police forces. Graduates of the Program may also pursue further educational opportunities, such as at the bachelor's level, in policing, related criminal justice fields, or other disciplines at various universities, colleges, and institutes across Canada and internationally, often with advanced standing. The College has transfer agreements of which graduates can take advantage of with Athabasca University, Carleton University, Griffith University, Nipissing University, Ryerson University, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and University of Windsor. To be eligible for admission into the first year of the Police Foundations program, applicants must have 'an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or an Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma or the equivalent, with credits at the college or general level.' Prospective students who not have the aforementioned credentials and who will be '19 years of age as of the first day of classes in the year of admission' may apply via mature student status. Mature 'applicants must complete the required subjects for admission' or 'they may be requested to write a diagnostic test.' To be able to progress to year two of the Police Foundations program, students must ' meet published requirements of a physical fitness test, meet vision acuity standards, have no colour-vision deficiencies (colour blindness), have a valid driverĘs license and present a driverĘs abstract confirming a good driving history, have no criminal record, meet a minimum score on an aptitude test,' and 'hold valid CPR and First Aid certificates.' These 'requirements comply with Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities guidelines and incorporate standards identified in the Ontario Police Services Act and the Constable Selection System for entry-level positions.' Applicants who have completed the first year of studies at another institutions may qualify for direct entry into the second year of the Program but must meet the latter requirements to qualify. Applicants who seek 'advanced standing are encouraged to review their qualifications with the program coordinator.'
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