Police Foundations
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Program Overview
People, property and our borders need protection. They need dynamic individuals who possess a diverse set of skills from diverse backgrounds. If you’ve been thinking about a career that is valued and respected, this program will train you to be the best of the best, while also giving you a strong base to compete for a spot in the Ontario Constable Selection System.
Program Details
Program Code
PFT1
Credential:
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
60 weeks
Canadian Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2023 September
London
Open
2024 January
London
Open
2022 September
London
Closed
2023 January
London
Closed
International Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2022 September
London
Closed
2023 January
London
Closed
2023 September
London
Closed
2024 January
London
Closed
Your Learning Experience
If you’re interested in public law enforcement or in a career as a police officer, border services officer or correctional officer, this program offers excellent pre-employment academic instruction. You'll study the theory of human relations, combined with practical aspects and applications of law enforcement, police powers, community policing and investigation. You’ll be prepared to compete within the Ontario Constable Selection System for employment in public law enforcement or related careers.
After the first year in the police foundations program, you’ll have the option of remaining in the program or transferring into the Protection, Security & Investigation program (PSI), concentrating on loss prevention, risk management and corporate and commercial security. With the Police Foundations program, your ambitions will be met by limitless career potential.
The Police Foundations program is designed to give potential police candidates a broad education in the theory of human relations, combined with related academic knowledge of the law, police powers, community policing and investigation. Delivered in the same context as other post-secondary education programs, the goal of the Police Foundations program is to provide students with a well-rounded education that prepares them to address the problems of the communities that they may serve, in a flexible and effective manner. The physical training and career preparation components of the program are designed to assist students to meet the demands of police recruitment processes. This program is not a requirement with police services.
Career Information
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Police Foundations program are qualified to pursue a range of careers in the exciting field of public law enforcement, including:
- municipal, provincial and federal police services
- security guard
- loss prevention specialist
- border security
- private security
- correctional officer
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Police Foundations program:
RCMP Officer
Work to prevent crime, enforce laws, build relationships with communities and keep Canadians safe.
Correctional Officer
Exercise reasonable, safe and secure control while encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens.
Hospital Security Guard
Help keep the hospital secure by screening patients coming into the facility.
The Police Foundations and the Protection, Security, Investigations programs at Fanshawe College were truly a great introduction to policing and law enforcement. The course content was always up to date and the faculty were able to teach using their own experiences as law enforcement officers. My favourite part of the program was the professors. They always put your success first and made time to help you with anything you may have needed, from course support to assistance with job applications. Both programs really exceeded my expectations and helped me get into my initial career as a correctional officer for three years and now currently a cadet at RCMP Depot.
Natassha
Graduate
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to
1. complete all tasks in compliance with pertinent legislation, as well as policing standards, regulations and guidelines.
2. analyze all relevant information and make effective and legally defensible* decisions in accordance with ethical and professional standards.
3. be accountable for one’s actions when carrying out all tasks.
4. develop and implement ongoing effective strategies for personal and professional development.
5. ensure the respect of human rights and freedoms in all interactions.
6. work co-operatively in multidisciplinary teams to achieve mutual goals.
7. collaborate in the development and implementation of community policing* strategies.
8. monitor, evaluate and document behaviours, situations and events accurately and discreetly in compliance with legal, professional, ethical and organizational requirements.
9. mitigate risks and maintain order by applying effective strategies in crisis*, conflict* and emergency* situations.
10. take positive actions to help crime victims.
11. conduct investigations by collecting, documenting, preserving and presenting admissible evidence*.
Academic School
Program Coordinator:
Shawn Rutkauskas - Year One
William Hibbert - Year Two
Admission Requirements
OSSD with courses from the College (C), University (U),
University/College (M), or Open (O) stream WITH:
- Any Grade 12 English (C) or (U)
OR
Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE)
OR
Public Safety Fundamentals Ontario College Certificate* AND:
- standing in the required course stated above
OR
Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED)
OR
Mature Applicant with standing in the required course stated above
University/College (M), or Open (O) stream WITH:
- Any Grade 12 English (C) or (U)
OR
Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE)
OR
Public Safety Fundamentals Ontario College Certificate* AND:
- standing in the required course stated above
OR
Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED)
OR
Mature Applicant with standing in the required course stated above
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the following methods:
- A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 79 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test with an overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years. SDS Program Requirements.
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 53, with test results within the last two years
- A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 169 with no language skill less than 162, with test results within the last two years
- An English Language Evaluation (ELE) at Fanshawe College with a minimum score of 70% in all sections of the test, with test results within the last two years
- Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 8, 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9, or 70% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
- Grade 12 Challenge and Change in Society (U)
- Grade 11 Understanding Canadian Law (M) OR Grade 12 Canadian and International Law (U)
- Grade 12 Families in Canada (C) or (U)
- Grade 12 Healthy Active Living Education (O)
Recommended Personal Preparation
Recommended Personal Preparation
- Students should develop personal responsibility and leadership traits by participating in school and social organizations in positions such as cadet, prefect or student union officer
- Students should develop good writing and speaking skills
- A knowledge of and interest in this field
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:
- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Note:
- *Admission to the Fanshawe College Public Safety Fundamentals program does not guarantee admission in a subsequent year to the Police Foundations program. Successful completion of the Fanshawe College Public Safety Fundamentals program, however, does enable the student to be given additional consideration when applying to the Police Foundations program. The Public Safety Fundamentals program is the preferred designated preparatory program for admission to the Police Foundations program.
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
The following items are applicable to the program:
- Evidence of Good Health
More Information
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| PFLP-1002 | Canadian Criminal Justice System | 3 | ||
| Police, courts, and corrections, are the trinity that constitute the Canadian criminal justice system. This course will enable the student to understand the history, roles, and organization of the major criminal justice agencies in Canada as well as the process by which laws are made and enforced at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. | ||||
| PFLP-1003 | Fitness & Lifestyle Management 1 | 2 | ||
| Law enforcement agencies recognize the importance of fitness, health and wellness for law enforcement personnel. This course introduces students to the concepts of occupational fitness, professionalism, wellness, and appropriate strategies for developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Students will participate in one hour of occupational physical fitness training and an additional hour of classroom lecture each week. Students will be exposed to current occupational fitness tests. | ||||
| SOCI-1036 | Issues in Diversity | 3 | ||
| In this course, students will critically identify and examine issues in diversity; specifically focussing on topics pertaining to inequity in various social settings related to race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and class, with a view to developing an appreciation for the multicultural society in which we live. A career in public safety requires a clear understanding of the impacted groups, strategies for community empowerment and effective communication. Students will also increase their knowledge and awareness of the issues impacting Indigenous Peoples of Canada including rights, self-determination, land issues, justice and social issues. | ||||
| PSYC-1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | ||
| This introductory course in psychology provides students the opportunity to review some of the major theories and research findings from various branches of psychology. Special attention will be given to implications and applications that are specific to issues in policing, law and security. The following topics will be covered: brain and behaviour, sensation and perception, learning, memory, sleep, drugs, stress, social relations, personality, and psychological disorders. | ||||
| SOCI-1001 | Sociology & Canadian Society | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to acquaint the student with the sociological perspective and the analysis of social events. Topics of study will include research methodology, culture, socialization, deviance and crime, social inequality, social change, and collective behaviour. The student will also analyze how law enforcement personnel, law enforcement services, and society have benefited from the social sciences. | ||||
| WRIT-1089 | Reason & Writing 1 for Public Safety | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce public safety students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| PFLP-1001 | Career Opportunities | 2 | ||
| This course introduces students to potential career choices available to them upon graduation. Students will be provided with information in relation to hiring practices related to those professions as well as identifying the skills necessary to obtain employment in policing, corrections, private security and other criminal justice related fields. The course includes career related employment testing preparation, vocational skills assessment, and interview skills development. Guest speakers from the law enforcement/private security communities provide insight into their respective professions. | ||||
Tuition Summary
London
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.