Program Overview
Lay the groundwork for your career in law enforcement or security.
Taught by experienced police officers who are both active and retired from duty, our instructors are able to bring real-life experience into the classroom, giving you the added advantage for challenging police academy standards or finding employment in the security field.
If your career goal is to become a member of the police force, you will be more than ready for the Constable Selection Process with the training and education you receive at Westervelt College.
Our daily regimen, disciplined training and practical courses in Provincial Statutes, Diversity, Conflict Management, Criminal Code and more will also open many doors for you in the security field.
Uniforms are included in the program fees. Financial Assistance may be available for those who qualify. For assistance, please contact our Admissions team for more information.
Take the "Westervelt College Law, Security and Police Foundations Career Training Readiness" Quiz
Curriculum
This course builds on the materials learned in the Criminal Code course. Students examine the knowledge, attitude, and skills that authorities apply when implementing the powers of arrest as permitted by the various legal statutes.
In this course, students learn Microsoft Word and develop effective word processing skills at a Microsoft Core Level. Students will learn to use this software to create professional looking business documents including memos, letters, reports, tables, and newsletters. As well, students will develop their keyboarding skills to increase speed and accuracy to meet the fast-paced needs of today’s business office.
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the political systems in operation in Canada, and to develop an appreciation which will put into perspective for the students the formal Canadian administrative bodies. The students are introduced to the three levels of the Canadian political structure, their functions, responsibilities at each level, and the mechanics that drive these systems.
Taught by our professionals in Graduate Employment Services, this course is designed to train students to research and how to obtain their desired career goals. Topics covered include: current employer expectations in the selection process, winning resume styles, interview skills and techniques, and successful strategies to develop and conduct their personal career search.
Communications I
This course focuses on the elements of effective communication required by a police officer during the process of conducting his/her routine duties. Upon completion of this course, the students will be better equipped with the necessary skills to be competent communicators. Topic areas receiving attention include aural comprehension, non-verbal communication, written and oral communication, especially oral presentation and report writing, along with spelling and grammar.
Communications II
This course builds on the materials learned in Communications I concentrating on the fundamental rules of English to improve the students’ grammatical skills for both oral and written communication. Police officers are responsible for a great deal of communication—both written and verbal. Crime is not just fought in the streets; the quality of an officer’s paperwork can effect which side wins in court. Strong writing skills are critical elements at every stage of the investigation and prosecution. Students are taught to understand that good paperwork strengthens the judicial process and improves an officer’s professional image.
This course emphasizes the importance of knowing and understanding the needs of a victim and the value of having the various community and social services available. Students will learn about the various levels of sexual assaults and the dynamics of an abusive relationship. Students will also be exposed to interviewing techniques utilized when dealing with victims and complex situations.
This course is designed to give the student the various strategies that the police and community utilize when working together to solve joint challenges; this helps in making communities a safer place to live both in the present and in the future. This course acquaints the student with the complexities and challenges in working closely with the community to address common concerns for policing and the security and safety of citizens within the local jurisdiction.
This course concentrates on providing the students with conflict management skills designed to assist them in problem solving and intervention during conflict or crisis situations. During this course of study, students will examine the most common and difficult occurrences or problems police officers face along with matters related to minors.
This course is designed to give students the tools needed to understand and detect the various violations associated with the application of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) in regard to investigations. Police Officers are routinely called upon to investigate matters that involve the illegal use of drugs/narcotics. Students aspiring to become police officers will need to identify various types of drugs and methods of concealment. Topics covered include an understanding of the laws, police procedures, officer safety, and the application of the laws that pertain to the illegal use, possession, and abuse of drugs.
This course is designed to allow the students to become familiar with the Criminal Code of Canada and all other documents pertaining to an officer’s role in making arrests, and to provide the student with the necessary skills to function in this capacity.
This course introduces students to the most commonly encountered criminal offences and situations that police officers have to deal with. Students will be trained to analyze an event and make decisions regarding the type of offence that has been committed, making the appropriate procedural action. Among the topics covered in this course are offences under two categories: Crimes against persons and Crimes against property.
This course is designed to teach the students the fundamental theories and principles of criminology as they relate to policing. A career in policing requires that individuals have a solid, basic understanding of crime as it relates to various societies past and present, explanations of crime, and patterns of criminal behaviour. Important to the success of police work is knowledge pertaining to the nature, extent, and causes of crime, characteristics of criminals, problems apprehending and convicting offenders, rehabilitation, and the prevention of criminal acts in the future.
This course is designed to introduce students to issues arising from the diverse nature of society as they relate to policing, along with strategies to deal safely and effectively with the community. Students will gain a better understanding of cultural diversity, to aid them in developing strategies to deal safely and effectively with situations that arise in our multicultural society. Police Officers encounter people from a variety of cultures, genders, ages, classes, sexual preferences, physical and mental abilities and religions.
In this course, students examine the role of ethical reasoning and decision making in policing. Students are introduced to situational dilemmas experienced as a police officer, and provided an ethical framework to aid in appropriate decision making skills. Topics covered include: critical thinking, ethical decision making, professional codes of ethics, and various applications of situational ethics.
In this course, students are introduced to First Nations People, their culture and their traditions. Students develop sensitivity and understanding to these groups through topics such as: historical overview prior to the arrival of Europeans to North America, the impact of colonization on Natives, Treaty-making, and the resulting loss of native lands and autonomy, natives and socioeconomic issues, as well as, Natives and current judicial issues.
In this course, students explore fitness and health as sensible approaches to one’s life, as well as, equip the student with the skills and knowledge necessary to make wise decisions about lifestyle management. Students examine the merits of a healthy lifestyle encompassing regular exercise, adequate rest, and appropriate nutrition. Health issues are also examined in the scope of lifestyle management.
This core course is the foundation for the understanding and application of the legal aspects of the duties of a police officer. Police officers are called upon to make decisions related to the application of various offences and procedures related to the Justice System and, therefore, must have a solid knowledge of criminal and civil law.
The object of this course is to introduce students to the importance of one’s role in a group setting or when interacting with others and to the development of skills to be a more effective participant during those interactions. All content will be directed to the idea of being part of a team. Students examine the roles that individuals play in a group and the interactions that affect those roles. Topics explored include
effective participation, leadership roles, group goal setting, communication within the group, and conflict resolution.
Upon completion of this core course, students will have the modern investigative interviewing techniques needed in the policing role. Students will be equipped with the investigative and interviewing tools required to be a competent member of the policing team. Topics covered include identifying and managing witnesses, techniques for investigative interviewing, interviewing suspects and the accused, admissibility of statements, detecting deception, technique, eye witness identifications, and the cognitive interview.
In this course, students acquire the skills and knowledge to assist them in making serious decisions regarding safety and/or use of force. Students study the Use of Force Model and apply the theory behind officer safety through techniques, positioning, accuracy, and demonstration. The training the students will receive during their training classes will act as the foundation to their protection as both a citizen and potential police officer.
This course is designed to give students the skills needed to implement a physical regiment to prepare students to meet or surpass the requirements for the “PREP” test and the “PIN” test and to establish a positive self- and body-image and a lifestyle of active living, fitness, and healthy eating. Students take part in a daily regimen involving weight training, cardiovascular training, and other physical workouts
developed and evaluated by a trained fitness instructor.
Upon completion of this core course, students will have a greater understanding of the components involved in the police applicant testing process. Students will gain valuable information about the standards required by police services and will gain the tools and practical experience to assist them with success.
This course will focus on the importance of knowing, understanding, and practicing the correct procedures related to the gathering of evidence. Students are provided an understanding of acceptable procedures and practices with regard to the gathering and presenting of evidence in accordance with the law and the fundamental principles of justice.
Provincial Statutes I
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the provincial statutes commonly encountered by law enforcement personnel. Police Officers are required to be familiar with a variety of laws. In many instances, they are called upon to deal with complaints and issues that involve the application of Provincial Statues.
Provincial Statutes II
This course is designed to continue from the materials learned in Provincial Statutes I. For students enrolled in the Police Foundations program, it is incumbent upon them to familiarize themselves with Provincial Statutes that are commonly encountered by Ontario’s Police Officers.
This course is designed to provide students with a basic, but solid, foundation of psychology in order to assist them in recognizing issues that may affect them as Police Officers. From time to time, individuals encountered by police may be under tremendous pressures, suffering from anxieties, emotional trauma, mental illness, and at times rage. The knowledge acquired in this course will assist aspiring police
officers to cope effectively in times of crisis or trauma.
This course focuses on police powers of Search and Seizure. Students will become familiar with search and seizure terminology, police search and seizure authorities, with or without a warrant, and police discretion and its implications.
This course is designed to provide information to law enforcement students about the factors which affect and influence the relationships of individuals and groups. Students examine sociology as an academic discipline which explores human relationships and the factors which influence them. Topics studied include theoretical background, population dynamics, social organizations, cultural diversity, socialization, deviant behaviour, family relationships, social stratification, and changes in Canadian society.
In this course, the focus is on the pertinent legislation pertaining to traffic, the role of the police officer in monitoring the traffic conditions, and how one enforces the laws to ensure public safety and compliance. Topics studied include federal and provincial motor vehicle law, the Highway Traffic Act, Licenses and permits, rules of the road, motor vehicle offences, and motor vehicle offences arising from collision investigation.
This course addresses the critical and sensitive issues that surround police officers when routinely investigating matters that involve Canada’s youth. Students are exposed to youth crime prevention programs, legislation related to youth, and police procedures for dealing with matters related to minors.