BACHELOR OF HUMAN SERVICES
(POLICE STUDIES)
Program Outline
Major: BHSP
Length: 4 Years
Delivery: 8 Semesters, plus 2 work terms
Credential: Degree
Effective: 2011-2012
Location: Orillia
Start: Fall
Description
The Bachelor of Human Services (Police Studies) Degree encourages a broadened critical understanding of the nature, role and function of policing. Learners will explore a variety of topics offering opportunities for careers in law enforcement. The program learning outcomes value an integrated learning approach to police education that will provide a diverse spectrum of students with the critical mix of professionalism, technical/legal expertise and analytical skills necessary to succeed in justice-related careers. This multi-dimensional degree complements, rather than duplicates, existing educational initiatives, offering courses that encourage increasing levels of thinking and analysis, and which are dynamic in design, rationale and delivery. The learning outcomes are designed to directly calibrate with the policing community and its high professional standards. Georgian's approach is incremental, promoting increasingly complex levels of critical reflection. Senior courses build upon more fundamental learning, encouraging students to apply and synthesize prior learning in academically meaningful environments. The college provides an inclusive learning environment, fostering ongoing partnership among educators, police services and other critical stakeholders, to create program content and design that are both relevant and recognized for excellence.
Note: The College has been granted a consent by the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer this degree. The college shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
Career Opportunities
This program will prepare our graduates with a variety of career opportunities. The primary career categories include the Ontario Provincial Police Service and municipal police services. Opportunities may also include out-of-province police services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Armed Forces, By-Law Enforcement, Private Police and Investigators, and asset management protection.
Please Note
In Canada the various federal, provincial and municipal acts and regulations outline special requirements for those entering a career as a law enforcement officer. Students wishing to pursue such careers should ensure that they will be able to meet the physical and educational requirements before enrolling. Potential students with a criminal record will need to discuss their personal situations with college counsellors before enrolling in the program. In some cases an official criminal record may make it more difficult for students to complete the program requirements and find related employment after graduation.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- understand historical, current and future global trends affecting the professional police sector;
- employ effective problem solving skills with respect to critical incident management in law enforcement;
- apply computer literacy and effective oral and written communication skills applicable to the policing profession;
- utilize interpersonal and team building skills in diverse settings and apply leadership skills appropriately;
- understand national and international political, justice and legal systems including the wide variety of criminal and civil justice agencies and services;
- research, organize, evaluate, synthesize and analyze evidence and statistical data based on investigation;
- provide ethical, accountable and effective professional practices to individuals and groups in the community from a variety of diverse backgrounds;
- assess and analyze the effectiveness and appropriateness of information security policies and procedures;
- apply knowledge of individual and group behaviour within the context of current social issues and crime and deviance;
- analyze and apply business strategies to police services;
- develop short and long term personal and professional goals and develop personal relationships that assist with ongoing career planning;
- show an appreciation for life-long learning and a broad range of interests.
Practical Experience
Co-operative Education is a mandatory component of all Co-op programs at Georgian College; it has been designed as a process by which students integrate their academic education with paid work experience related to their program of study. This integration affects much more than simply earning a salary, including the adjustment to the work environment and the development of professionalism. It also reinforces skills and theory learned during academic semesters, develops professional contacts, job knowledge and career path, improves human relations and communication skills and promotes personal maturity and financial independence.
Students are requested to register, attend and participate in their scheduled co-operative education classes. These classes are scheduled for all students and are expected to be completed in order to proceed successfully to their first co-op work experience. To ensure students are eligible to proceed onto any co-op work experience students should refer to Promotional Status and Eligibility for Co-op as outlined in the College Calendar. Co-op policies and procedures can be located on our website: www.georgianc.on.ca/careers/for-students/
Georgian College follows the Co-operative Education guidelines set out by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) and Education at Work Ontario (EWO) by supporting the learning outcomes designed for the program specific graduate profile and curriculum as set out by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Program Progression
Sem 1 - Fall 2011
Sem 2 - Winter 2012
Sem 3 - Fall 2012
Sem 4 - Winter 2013
work Term 1 - Summer 2013
Sem 5 - Fall 2013
Sem 6 - Winter 2014
Sem 7 - Fall 2014
Work Term 2 - Wiinter 2015
Sem 8 - Summer 2015
Admission Requirements
OSS curriculum:
OSSD or equivalent
Six Grade 12 U or M level courses with a minimum overall average of 65 per cent, including:
- Grade 12 English (U) (ENG4U)
- Grade 12 U-level Mathematics recommended
Students presenting equivalent qualifications will also be considered for admission.
Mature applicants may also be considered for admission to this program providing their previous school performance and/or recent work record suggests a strong possibility of academic success. In order to qualify, applicants must be 21 years of age by December 31 of the year of admission and must have been away from formal education for at least one year immediately prior to beginning studies. Mature applicants must meet subject prerequisites prior to registration.
Graduation Requirements
29 Mandatory Courses
8 Liberal Arts Electives
3 Optional Courses
2 Co-op Work Terms
Promotional Status
The passing grade for all courses is 50%. The semester GPA for promotion through each semester of the program is 60%.
Graduation Eligibility
To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 60% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester, and have an overall average of 65% in the program.
Mandatory
POLC1000 Introduction to Police Studies
POLC1001 Communications for Policing
POLC1002 Canadian Criminal Justice
POLC1003 Youth and the Law
POLC1004 Introduction to Criminal Law
POLC1005 Human Kinetics for Policing
POLC1006 Cross Cultural Communications
POLC1007 Sociology for Policing
POLC2000 Police Studies: Advanced Perspectives
POLC2001 Diversity in Policing
POLC2002 Research Methods for Policing
POLC2003 Police Powers
POLC2004 Introduction to Community Policing
POLC2005 Criminal Law: Advanced Procedures
POLC2006 Provincial Offences
POLC2007 Psychology for Policing
POLC3000 Contemporary Issues in Criminology
POLC3001 Rules of Evidence
POLC3002 Interviewing
POLC3003 Forensic Science
POLC3004 Principles in Traffic Law
POLC3005 Document Preparation and Presentation for Policing
POLC3006 Investigation and Evidence
POLC4000 Ethics in Policing
POLC4001 Professional Standards in Policing
POLC4002 Ergonomics and Wellness
POLC4003 Incident Command and Negotiating Skills
POLC4004 Public and Media Relations
POLC4005 Human Resource Management in Policing
Options
POLC4006 Advanced Forensic Science
POLC4007 Contemporary Social Movements
POLC4008 Organized Crime
POLC4009 Cyberspace: Trends
POLC4010 Forensic Accounting
POLC4011 Police Governance
POLC4012 Victimology
POLC4013 Community Policing: Advanced Perspectives
Liberal Arts Electives
Eight additional electives to be selected from the PEQAB approved list.
Liberal Arts and Science courses ensure students receive a breadth of educational experience beyond their discipline. Courses are offered in the streams of Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences.
Co-op
COOP1018 Police Studies Work Term 1
COOP2015 Police Studies Work Term 2
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
COOP1018 Police Studies Work Term 1 560.0 Hours
This is the first of two work terms. The co-operative education semester provides the student with active participation and direct career exposure to the duties carried out by both police and civilian members within public policing services. Exposure to administrative, operational, support services and general policing activities are anticipated during the 15-week semester. Such learning opportunities ensure students are aware of, and participate in, the overall development of competencies and skills needed for the profession. To assist students, members of the local public and related police services will be assigned to coach and mentor students. As well, a college co-op officer will liaise with the student and agency on a regular basis.
COOP2015 Police Studies Work Term 2 560.0 Hours
This is the second of two work terms. The co-operative education semester provides the student with active participation and direct career exposure to the duties carried out by both police and civilian members within public policing services. Exposure to administrative, operational, support services and general policing activities are anticipated during the 15-week semester. Such learning opportunities ensure students are aware of, and participate in, the overall development of competencies and skills needed for the profession. To assist students, members of the local public and related police services will be assigned to coach and mentor students. As well, a college co-op officer will liaise with the student and agency on a regular basis.
POLC1000 Introduction to Police Studies 42.0 Hours
This course will provide students with a theoretical and practical foundation from which to understand the history and evolution of policing. Students will reflect on the responsibilities, duties, and powers of police officers. As well, students consider the nature of police liability and accountability to the public and to various relevant organizations.
POLC1001 Communications for Policing 42.0 Hours
This course will assist students in developing the fundamentals in interpersonal communication (Carkhuff, Miller) utilizing a sound theoretical base (Roberts, Proachaska & deClemente). Building on that foundation, they will develop problem-solving skills; utilize simulated lab opportunities to learn skills in addressing grief and loss, hostage taking, crisis response and conflict management. This course will provide an opportunity to develop skills to extrapolate information, and organize and produce reports that meet the judicial system requirements. Approximately 50% of the course will be experiential.
POLC1002 Canadian Criminal Justice 42.0 Hours
This course is an introductory course that will outline the construction of the Canadian Criminal Justice System. Students will identify each section of the Justice system with emphasis on the history, function, and relationship with other components of the Justice system. Further, the students will develop the critical skills required to analyze contemporary issues in the system. This course also introduces the students to the Canadian Charter of Rights.
POLC1003 Youth and the Law 42.0 Hours
This course will identify the needs of youth and their relationship and understanding of the police. This is accomplished by examining the evolution of youth justice legislation with special emphasis on the current legislation of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Students will grasp the special circumstances required to arrest, investigate, and interview young offenders.
POLC1004 Introduction to Criminal Law 42.0 Hours
This course examines the many facets that make Canadian criminal law so unique. Beginning with the historical perspective and theoretical base of the Criminal Code of Canada, this course follows with understanding the Supreme Court of Canada, law reform, and the unique sections of the criminal code including case law, common law, statutes, and statutory interpretation. Appreciating civil law procedures and how it differentiates from our criminal system will also be a focus of this course.
POLC1005 Human Kinetics for Policing 42.0 Hours
Students will identify various fitness components to design and implement a personal program appropriate for their occupational goals. Using problem solving techniques, students will extrapolate information from material including wellness, cardiovascular, weight training, flexibility, nutritional and job related performance issues relating to policing. Students will participate in a practical fitness program that meets their occupational goals.
POLC1006 Cross Cultural Communications 42.0 Hours
This course is designed to enable students to identify and resolve problems in interpersonal communication, particularly as they pertain to cross-cultural interaction. Students will become familiar with current theory as it relates to human interaction, and learn how to apply principles of sound communication in their professional conduct.
POLC1007 Sociology for Policing 42.0 Hours
This course builds on the theoretical fundamentals discussed in the introductory level of sociology, exploring the relationship between the individual and society in the context of law enforcement. This course is designed to provide the student with a working knowledge of the sociological perspective, global stratification, race and ethnicity, sex and gender, politics and economy. The student will have the opportunity to integrate major theoretical issues in policing, the methods of policing with the rules of evidence in social science.
POLC2000 Police Studies: Advanced Perspectives 42.0 Hours
Building on Introduction to Police Studies, students will apply their knowledge of the history and evolution of policing as they study issues that confront policing in modern times. Guidelines established by the Police Services Act will be examined. Students will revisit the powers of arrest presented in Introduction to Police Studies and apply those powers to case studies which examine both positive and negative applications of those powers.
POLC2001 Diversity in Policing 42.0 Hours
In this course students will learn about social diversity in Canada, and the implications of both formal and informal multiculturalism for policing. The course will address a number of social, legal, and ethical issues related to diversity and First Nations Peoples. The course focuses on the ways these issues are handled in the criminal justice system. Students will leave the course with knowledge of immigration and integration patterns in Canada, the difficulties that people of marginalized groups face in society in general, and alternative measures to confront those problems in the justice system. More importantly, students will build on and expand their ethical capacities to deal with diversity in a professional manner.
POLC2002 Research Methods for Policing 42.0 Hours
This second year course introduces the student to the Canadian Police Information Computer (C.P.I.C.) and databases associated to criminal investigations. Databases including ViCLASS, the Ontario Sex Offender Registry, NCIC, and various local databases will be explored. Students will develop a working knowledge of the database while understanding the ethical and professional implications of misuse.
POLC2003 Police Powers 42.0 Hours
Building on the lessons presented in Introduction to Police Studies, students will apply their knowledge of the powers of arrest granted by legislation to police officers and to civilians. Students will also examine powers of search with and without warrant authorized under federal and provincial law. Various other police powers will also be studied including the authorization to stop vehicles in specific situations, the power to seize documentation dependent upon circumstances, and the power to compel persons to obey orders when emergent situations exist, as well as the alternatives available should the affected citizen refuse to submit to the police authority being exercised.
POLC2004 Introduction to Community Policing 42.0 Hours
This course will discuss the fundamental theoretical perspectives in community policing (i.e. postmodern, change, systems theories) critically assessing and comparing enforcement based on community based perspectives. Tutorials will include presentations on restorative justice models, punitive approaches, as well as culture based, private and public models, that incorporate both preventative and intervention based strategies.
POLC2005 Criminal Law: Advanced Procedures 42.0 Hours
Building upon the first criminal law course, students have the opportunity to examine the criminal code with "hands on" assignments and exercises. This course takes a direct look at the various statutes of the code with an emphasis on case law. Students are expected to research case law that has effected the criminal justice system on a large scale (e.g. Feeney, Askov). Another focus of this course is the structure of statute and the examination of statute.
POLC2006 Provincial Offences 42.0 Hours
This course builds on the student's knowledge of Criminal Code offenses developed in Introduction to Criminal law, by introducing the quasi-criminal offences found in the Ontario Provincial Statutes. Students will begin their studies by examining the Provincial Offences Act, which governs all Provincial prosecutions, and then delve into the various provincial statutes, such as Trespass to Property Act, Liquor License Act, Child and Family Services Act and the Family Law Act. A Provincial Prosecutor will present a guest lecture to provide the students with the benefit of his/her experience in the Provincial Offences Court setting. Practical exercise scenarios will permit the students to apply their knowledge of these statutes.
POLC2007 Psychology for Policing 42.0 Hours
This course examines the issues that confront law enforcement officers addressing those with psychiatric impairments. Students will explore some of the key theories associated with describing and classifying psychiatric impairment and their relationship to criminal behaviour. Included in this study will be relevant aspects of legislation such as the Mental Health Act, and the law enforcement procedures pertaining to the arrest, detention and processing through the justice system. Other topics for consideration will be insanity as a criminal defence, fitness to stand trial and some of the ethical issues related to the treatment of the people with psychiatric impairments.
POLC3000 Contemporary Issues in Criminology 42.0 Hours
An overview of the basic concepts, theories and methodology in Criminology. Topics include the central ideas and terms used in criminology, orthodox and radical theories of criminal behavior and the system that controls crime, and their social policy implications. This course critically examines why certain behaviors are "crimes" and others are not and why people engage in "criminal" and other "non-criminal" behaviors. This course also critically examines the system that controls crime from a broad perspective in its historical and cultural context.
POLC3001 Rules of Evidence 42.0 Hours
This course explores the rules governing the admissibility of evidence as it pertains to the Canada Evidence Act. Emphasis is placed on this legislation in order for police officers to prepare for a successful criminal trial. This course will also touch on the history of evidence and how the rules of evidence have evolved over the last century. The concept of case law and its relationship with the Canada Evidence Act will be examined.
POLC3002 Interviewing 42.0 Hours
Building on the lectures presented in Communications for Policing, students will apply their knowledge of verbal and non- verbal communications to develop effective interviewing skills. Current requirements imposed by both legislation and jurisprudence will be explored. Through the application of Behavioural Observation Questions, students will enhance their skill in detecting deceptive persons, and discover how to properly record their observations
POLC3003 Forensic Science 42.0 Hours
This course will provide a foundation in understanding the complexity of gathering, investigating and solving crimes with physical evidence. Through the application of understanding the nature of physical evidence, students will concentrate on developing analytical techniques to recognize, collect and preserve physical evidence that will be presented in a court of law.
POLC3004 Principles in Traffic Law 42.0 Hours
Building on the lessons presented in Introduction to Police Studies and Police Studies - Advanced Perspectives, as well as the Introduction to Criminal Law, students will study the federal and provincial laws relating to traffic offences. Students will begin with an introduction to the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario and then move into the federal offences such as impaired driving and criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle. Comparisons and contrasts will be illustrated for those offences which could have application in both levels of legislation.
POLC3005 Document Preparation and Presentation for Policing 42.0 Hours
Students will draw upon previous learning and have the opportunity to prepare and present a completed crown brief for criminal court. Students will be required to take proper witness statements, document/photograph evidence, and prepare the proper documents for a conviction. A Crown Attorney will critique the completed documents.
POLC3006 Investigation and Evidence 42.0 Hours
Drawing upon the previous course "Rules and Evidence", students will integrate several learning outcomes and amalgamate them into this facet of police work. Crime scene investigation will be studied in both a theoretical and practical aspect. Police modes of interviewing and interrogation will be explored and critical analysis will take place
POLC4000 Ethics in Policing 42.0 Hours
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to ethical reasoning. It will cover a number of comprehensive ethical theories, and it will provide students with a practical framework for their own ethical reasoning. The course will achieve this end dynamically by putting students through a number of ethical scenarios, and through the discussion of contemporary ethical issues. This course will broaden the intellectual horizons of the students, and it will emphasize their writing and analytical skills.
POLC4001 Professional Standards in Policing 42.0 Hours
This course builds on students' prior learning in ethics, diversity, and police powers by taking them through a detailed over-view of professional standards in policing. The course will demonstrate the relationship between ethical systems and the legal framework of professional standards of police services. The course will focus on detailed critical analyses of a variety of professional standards codes employed in police services in Canada.
POLC4002 Ergonomics and Wellness 42.0 Hours
This course will examine various ergonomic issues faced by police including cardiovascular diseases, back health, eye fatigue, tunnel vision and use of force issues. Special emphasis will be on effective strategies to deal with ergonomic related injuries, shift work, post-traumatic stress syndrome and healthy lifestyle balancing. Students will participate in a fitness program that will meet their occupational goals.
POLC4003 Incident Command and Negotiating Skills 42.0 Hours
Students will learn how to deal concisely and expertly with crisis situations, and to develop negotiation and mediation skills applicable to policing.
POLC4004 Public and Media Relations 42.0 Hours
Students in this course will identify and examine issues and theories related to appropriate conduct of media & public relations for police forces. Successes and failures with regard to media relations, from the point of view of police forces in Canada, will be examined and students will be challenged to devise recommendations as to how these situations should have been handled.
POLC4005 Human Resource Management in Policing 42.0 Hours
This course provides students with an intensive course of study in leadership, management and the applications to policing. The course examines the purposes and role of the human resource management function in policing organizations. It covers the skills and techniques necessary to perform the role of a HR position within the policing organization. Students will look at the historical perspectives and development of human resources management, the influence of government, staffing, employee relations, current issues and trends. Students will be introduced to topics such as compensation, professional development, labour relations, occupational health and safety and human resource planning.
POLC4006 Advanced Forensic Science 42.0 Hours
This course is a continuation of developing skills to collect and analyze physical evidence at crime scenes. Specific scientific analysis will provide a framework for more detailed evidence in crime-scene analysis. Through different biological and anthropological applications to crime scenes students will differentiate evidence to determine criminal applications. Learners will develop communications skills to assist in assessing criminal behaviour.
POLC4007 Contemporary Social Movements 42.0 Hours
This course explores theoretical foundations and subsequent evolution of major social movements within a law enforcement context. Building upon concepts of diversity, political power and civil protest, students will critically assess the impact of forces such as universal suffrage, feminism, environmentalism and anti-globalism, in a local and international framework, and develop strategies for managing engagement of these movements in civil society.
POLC4008 Organized Crime 42.0 Hours
This course engages students in a historical and theoretical analysis of the origins and development of organized crime. Students will study the organization, function and structure of power, control of selected criminal organizations, as well as law enforcement's response and regulation of these activities. Provincial, national and global relationships of organized crime will be discussed.
POLC4009 Cyberspace: Trends 42.0 Hours
This course exposes students to the most current trends and issues related to policing in cyberspace. Students will research and discuss related news items from resources such as the Internet, trade publications, association newsletters and the popular media.
POLC4010 Forensic Accounting 42.0 Hours
This course will deal with the various forms of frauds that exist in our society. Using various accounting skills, the student will recognize and analyze various white collar crime that affects various groups in our society. Analytical skills will be built to distinguish whether the crime involves criminal or civil proceeding.
POLC4011 Police Governance 42.0 Hours
This course examines the connections between policing and the political process. It examines issues and concerns over the various political processes behind law-making, particularly the criminal law, and it takes up several critical issues in civil and criminal law, including: human rights, gay and lesbian rights, immigration law, and criminal law. The course will sensitize students to the significance of politics and political power to the legal system in general, and the criminal justice system in particular. This course will build on students' prior learning in Diversity, Ethics, Police Powers, Criminal Law, Professional Standards, and Techniques of Investigation.
POLC4012 Victimology 42.0 Hours
The focus of this course is evoking the specialized field of criminology that is related to victims of crime and factors connected to the victim. The student will discover theories related to the explanation of victimization, including the development and current use of areas that operate in victim services. Specific victim groups, provincial and federal legislation related to the victims will be examined as well as victim impact statements in the criminal justice system.
POLC4013 Community Policing: Advanced Perspectives 42.0 Hours
Using contemporary community development theories and building on the problem solving model in community policing, this course will offer students the opportunity for independent study, through development of a community policing model, the acquisition of critical analysis skills through literature and evidence based research reviews of existing programs as well as an experiential understanding of community liaison.
PSYC1000 Introduction to Psychology 1 42.0 Hours
This course is a survey of various specialty areas within contemporary psychology. Theories and research related to content areas such as Historical Perspectives, Research Methods, the Brain and Behaviour, Lifespan Development, Sensation and Perception, States of Consciousness and Learning are examined. Further, students integrate concepts of empiricism and scientific inquiry across these content areas. This course in combination with Introduction to Psychology 2 provides students with the requisite knowledge to study psychology at senior levels.
PSYC1001 Introduction to Psychology 2 42.0 Hours
This course is a survey of various specialty areas within contemporary psychology. Students consider current psychological theories and research related to content areas such as Cognition, Intelligence, Motivation, Emotion, Personality, Social Behaviour, Psychology Disorders, Therapies and Health Psychology. Further, students integrate concepts of empiricism and specific inquiry across these content areas. This course in combination with Introduction to Psychology 1 provides students with the requisite knowledge to study at senior levels.
SOCI1000 Introduction to Sociology 1 42.0 Hours
This is the first of a two-part course providing a systematic introduction to understanding society, social structure, basic social institutions and their interrelations, the nature of social interactions and the relationship between the individual and society. Particular attention is given to major issues within society such as power, socially transformed and socially structured. These social issues will be examined comparatively and with particular reference to Canadian society. The student is also introduced to major theoretical issues in sociology, the methods of sociology and the rules of evidence in social science. This course is a prerequisite to all upper-year courses in this department unless specifically waived by the department.
Adults with significant life and work experience may receive credits toward a college certificate or diploma program through an assessment process.
More information about Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
NOTE: Information contained in College documents respecting programs is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. The college reserves the right to add or delete programs, options, courses, timetables or campus locations subject to sufficient enrolment, and the availability of courses.
Last Update: March 08, 2012.
