Police and Public Safety Foundations
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code1250
- Ministry NamePolice Foundations
- SchoolSchool of Community and Health Studies
- CredentialOntario College Diploma
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length2 years/ 4 semesters
- Delivery ModeIn class
- LocationProgress Campus
- Emailcommunitystudiesprogress@centennialcollege.ca
- Telephone416-289-5000, ext. 52375
- Technology Requirements
Program Availability
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Technology Requirements
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Advising Services
- Indigenous Studies
Centennial College's Police Foundations program is geared towards those who have an interest in police, security and investigation-related occupations in both the public and private sectors.
In this two-year diploma program, you'll take Police Foundations courses in the School of Community and Health Studies that will cover:
- Current laws
- Investigative techniques
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Criminal proceedings
- Community policing principles
- Physical fitness
- Emergency Management and Public Safety
The time you'll spend in the Police Foundations courses will result in the ability to communicate efficiently, act as a problem-solver, work effectively in teams and help people in the community.
Program Overview
Centennial College's Police Foundations program is geared towards those who have an interest in police, security and investigation-related occupations in both the public and private sectors.
In this two-year diploma program, you'll take Police Foundations courses in the School of Community and Health Studies that will cover:
- Current laws
- Investigative techniques
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Criminal proceedings
- Community policing principles
- Physical fitness
- Emergency Management and Public Safety
The time you'll spend in the Police Foundations courses will result in the ability to communicate efficiently, act as a problem-solver, work effectively in teams and help people in the community.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Program Highlights
- The Police Foundations program will consist of intense training, equivalent to a paramilitary environment, which will help you to develop discipline and deportment.
- Courses will be based on real-life experiences and case studies that incorporate a fundamental perspective on life.
- We proudly offer the only police foundations program in the province approved as a security guard trainer. Graduates will have the option to write the Ontario security guard licence test. Please note that you will still need to complete the Level C First Aid on your own.
Once you complete your Police Foundations courses, you'll be able to:
- Document, prepare and assist in the presentation of court cases in compliance with criminal and provincial law, rules of evidence, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
- Assess the use of police powers;
- Initiate, promote and facilitate partnerships to meet community policing and security needs;
- Assess the relationship of policing services to other participants in the criminal justice system and other community service agencies;
- Make sound decisions based on an evaluation of situations;
- Cope with stress and optimize physical fitness and wellness;
- Apply fundamental concepts of political science, law, and legislative policy making and public administration to the provision of police services;
- Assess information-gathering skills used in basic investigative techniques;
- Assess crisis intervention strategies;
- Develop strategies to assist victims of crime.
Upon completing their fourth semester, students will be able to take a case from investigation through presentation in Court. Students will be able to think critically about social justice issues and the implications of their actions through IPE (Inter-professional education) experiences. They will experience all components of the physical fitness tests currently used by police and military services while learning about the importance of personal fitness and life-long wellness.. They will understand how to deal with crisis situations involving the public or themselves. Students will be prepared to engage in private or public sector policing, investigations and security.
Career Outlook
- Police officer
- Customs and excise officer
- Security officer
- Military police
- Corrections officer
- Private security officer (in loss prevention and corporate security)
- Investigator
Education Pathways
Graduates from this Police Foundations diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are the degrees from partnering institutions that are available for this program.
Please note that each partner has minimum admission requirements to be met in order to qualify for transferring credits, which are assessed by the partner institution.
| Partner Institution | Degree |
|---|---|
| Algoma University | Bachelor of Arts or Honours Bachelor of Arts - Law and Justice |
| Honours Bachelor of Arts - Political Science | |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple Majors | |
| Bachelor of Science in multiple majors | |
| Algonquin College | Honours Bachelor of Public Safety (Co-op) |
| Athabasca University | Bachelor of Commerce post diploma |
| Bachelor of Commerce post diploma with major | |
| Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations post diploma | |
| Bachelor of Management (3-year) post diploma | |
| Brock University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science |
| Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | |
| Carleton University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Multiple majors |
| Bachelor of Arts in Criminology | |
| Conestoga College | Bachelor of Community and Criminal Justice |
|
Bachelor of Human Services - Police Studies |
|
| Griffith University | Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Guelph-Humber, University of | Honours Bachelors of Applied Science - Justice Studies |
| Humber College | Bachelor of Social Science - Criminal Justice |
| Lakehead University | Honours Bachelor of Arts and Sciences - Criminology major |
| Honours Bachelor of Arts - Sociology major | |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor degree in any major | |
| Laurentian University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts - Law and Justice |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple Majors | |
| Nipissing University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice - Policing stream |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple Majors | |
| Ontario Tech University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Justice |
| Honours Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology | |
| Honours Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies | |
| Royal Roads University | Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies |
| Seneca Polytechnic | Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies |
| Honours Bachelor of Crime & Intelligence Analysis | |
| Toronto Metropolitan University | Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies |
| Bachelor of Health Administration degree completion | |
| Trent University | Bachelor of Arts (Honours or General) in Policing and Community Well-being |
| Honours Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science | |
| Honours Bachelor of Science Joint major in Forensic Science | |
| Honours Bachelor of Arts Joint major in Forensic Science | |
| Windsor, University of | Bachelor of Arts in Forensics and Criminology - Applied Forensic Science Stream |
| Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts and Professional Studies | |
| Honours Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies for CAAT Graduate | |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in any major |
| York University | Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Sociology or any Bachelor of Arts degree |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Science | |
| Honours Bachelor of Public Administration |
Please visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/ for more information on articulation agreements.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Areas of Employment
- Law enforcement including police services
- Private sector policing
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Armed forces
- Loss prevention
- Corporate security
- Corrections officers
- Customs and excise officers
- Investigators in wide and varied fields such as animal cruelty, by-law enforcement and the Canadian military (especially military police), municipal, provincial, federal and Aboriginal policing services, private and university policing, investigation, evidence and criminal investigations, Internet crime computer forensics
- Special constable positions such as GO Trnsit, TTC, University Police.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take the Centennial English Admission Test
Additional Requirements
Standard Policing Requirements
After admission, while attending the program:
- You are required to wear a uniform similar to ones commonly worn by both public and private police organizations. You are expected to wear the uniform in the prescribed manner and to assume the costs for your uniform.
- In addition to wearing a uniform, you will be required to maintain certain appearance standards as imposed by local police services on new recruits for hiring and entry-level positions. This includes neatness in wearing the uniform, allowable standards of hairstyle and limited use of jewelry and accessories. More details can be obtained by calling the number below.
- You are advised that some Police Foundations program experiences may require a criminal reference check. Certain criminal convictions may disallow participation in these experiences and will require the completion of an alternative assignment.
Any questions regarding criminal reference checks may be directed to the program coordinator by calling 416-289-5303.
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
If you are applying through the Second Career Strategy, please apply at the Employment Training Centre for Second Career (Progress Campus). Second Career Strategy is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Second Career Strategy.
If you have previously attended a full time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $125 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
2. Submit Documents
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
Applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS).
For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2024.
| Student | Tuition (2 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $2,721.00 | $1,287.09 | $4,008.09 |
| International | $16,649.00 | $1,775.27 | $18,424.27 |
Technology Requirements
Technology Requirements
Bring IT programs will require students to own and use a mobile computing device that meets or exceeds the recommended hardware requirements.
Students with Accessibility Needs If you require accommodation for a documented disability, please consider your adaptive technology needs when you select a device for your BringIT programs. If you wish to access disability services, please make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services, by calling 416-289-5000, ext. 3850, or by email at calcs@centennialcollege.ca.
Have questions? Check out Frequently Asked Questions for our Bring IT Program.
Students from this program will require to own/purchase a device and software relevant to the program:
Minimum Recommended Specifications:
- Windows Laptop or Surface Device with:
- Intel Core i5 or equivalent processor
- 8GB or more or RAM
- 250GB of larger SSD Hard Drive
- 1 full size USB port
- Wireless 802.11ac
- Windows 10 or 11
- Recommended:
- Built-in Ethernet Port; Audio/Mic combo;
- A laptop with a battery life of 3hrs or better
Minimum Internet Requirement:
You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High-speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) with minimum 50mbps download speed is highly recommended.
ClassAPPs 2.0
Students are invited to use Centennial College’s ClassAPPs 2.0, an all-in-one system that lets you use all of the digital tools you need to complete your college courses from the comfort of your own home, at any time, instead of finding the time to head for a computer lab. Any student can use the ClassAPPs 2.0 system with any modern, HTML5 enabled web browser, like Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Just log in to the service with the same ID and password you use to get into a College PC, and you instantly gain access to cloud-based software, and other learning resources.
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Complete all tasks in compliance with pertinent legislation, as well as policing standards, regulations and guidelines.
- Analyze all relevant information and make effective and legally defensible decisions in accordance with ethical and professional standards.
- Be accountable for one’s actions when carrying out all tasks.
- Develop and implement ongoing effective strategies for personal and professional development.
- Ensure the respect of human rights and freedoms in all interactions.
- Work co-operatively in multidisciplinary teams to achieve mutual goals.
- Collaborate in the development and implementation of community policing strategies.
- Monitor, evaluate and document behaviours, situations and events accurately and discreetly in compliance with legal, professional, ethical and organizational requirements.
- Mitigate risks and maintain order by applying effective strategies in crisis, conflict and emergency situations.
- Take positive actions to help crime victims.
- Conduct investigations by collecting, documenting, preserving and presenting admissible evidence.
Advising Services
- Personality TestSTARTMatch your personality to a career
- Career ExplorerLEARN MOREExplore your future career
Mahmoud Gholamali, Police Foundations Graduate - now a police officer with the Toronto Police Service.As a former student in the Police Foundations Program at Centennial College, and a recent graduate of Ontario Police College, the skills and life lessons that I acquired while in this program enabled me to succeed in my policing career.
From the guidance of professors that have a background in policing, to the hands-on courses taught that parallel the law enforcement field and to the lessons learnt in discipline, dress and deportment, any student would be motivated to learn under these professionals and to strive for a future in law enforcement.
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