Durham is a leading college that offers justice education in Ontario. The Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations Graduate Certificate Program is delivered in two 14-week semesters that provide students with opportunities to develop relevant applied skills specific to the justice field. Through a hybrid delivery, the program ensures graduates gain experience in dealing with social and organizational issues related to law enforcement agencies and community safety within increasingly diverse communities.
Students gain professional networking opportunities through 144 hours per semester of field placement experience, where they integrate course knowledge and skills within an immersive, experiential learning environment. In addition, the program ensures graduates meet the physical fitness standards required for the various law enforcement agencies. Other key program attributes include many embedded certifications, mental health awareness and care, crisis intervention and conflict management, report writing, inter-professional communications, and basic emergency management.
Employment opportunities for graduates span many industries and facilities, including municipal, provincial, or federal police services, Canada Border Services, Correctional Services, the Canadian Forces, Nuclear Security, private civil and criminal investigations, youth worker, municipal by-law enforcement, animal services, various security roles (court services, corporate, and legislative), and the Ministry of Natural Resources (i.e., Park Rangers).
This program is designed for individuals with previous education or work experience (please see the entrance requirements section of this page for further detail). Aimed at college and university graduates, it will teach you the specialized knowledge and skills required to work as a law enforcement officer with supervisory-level knowledge and attributes. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of advanced skills in the subject areas required for practitioners in the fields of law enforcement and security including:
- Advanced fitness training and preparation for career specific fitness and application testing
- Opportunity to obtain additional professional certification
- Skills gained by placement experience in various law enforcement, security and related agencies on an extended basis
As a graduate, you will be able to achieve the certificate of completions or professional designations (where noted) as follows:
- APCO Institute Inc. Public Safety Telecommunicator I (professional designation)
- Basic Emergency Management (Emergency Management Ontario certification)
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training Certificate – Level 1 (Crisis Prevention Institute)
- Elder Abuse Certification (Canadian Police Knowledge Network)
- SafeTALK – Suicide Alertness Training Certificate (LivingWorks)
- Private Investigator License Number – embedded into the curriculum is course content based on ministry mandated requirements for eligibility to write the provincial licensing examination for private investigators in the province of Ontario as per the training standards prescribed by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services under the Privacy Security and Investigative Services Act – Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Ministry generated TCN (Training Completion Number), to be used when booking a provincial licencing examination at a Ministry test center.
- Situational Awareness Specialist (SAS) certification (Arcuri Group LLC).
- Warrior 21-resiliency and mental health certification.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Adhere to and apply legal and legislative requirements as well as professional, organizational and ethical standards related to advanced investigations and enforcement contexts.
- Utilize effective crime scene procedures in the securing, searching, recording, collecting and preserving of evidence for the preparation of case documents.
- Evaluate the relevance of information obtained through advanced investigative and enforcement techniques.
- Apply knowledge of specialized investigative methods, accurately and fully, to the enforcement and prosecution of offences.
- Fulfil the role and responsibilities of an effective advanced investigation and enforcement officer, including generating appropriate, accurate and comprehensive reports and legal documentation.
- Comply with policies, procedures and legislation applicable to advanced investigations and enforcement in routine and complex contexts.
- Develop, implement and evaluate leadership, management, operational, administration and risk management skills as they pertain to various law enforcement workplaces.
- Utilize effective approach and tactical communication procedures and knowledge in routine and complex contexts of advanced investigations.
- Communicate professionally and effectively in all aspects of investigative and enforcement activities.
- Utilize effective critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making and multitasking skills in complex situations such as counter surveillance and emergency and disaster planning.
- Utilize appropriate conflict and crisis management techniques during dispute resolution and in potentially dangerous situations.
- Use effectively and when required, recommend appropriately, a variety of technical aids in the context of surveillance and counter surveillance.
- Use various current and related technologies to complete evidence preparation for the administrative requirements of the justice system.
- Build and maintain positive relations with the workplace and the community.
- Meet or exceed the industry standard for physical activity, fitness and lifestyle standards.
Admission Requirements
- Diploma or degree with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or 65 per cent average
- Proof of English language proficiency required
or
- A minimum of two years of work experience in a related field detailed in a professional resumé with a letter of intent may be considered
- Proof of English language proficiency required
Applicants whose first language is not English or who are internationally educated in a non‐English speaking country must meet Durham College’s English Language Proficiency Policy.
POST-ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- Current Canadian Heart and CPR (Level C) certificate
- Current Criminal Background Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Current first aid certificate
- Entry immunization form completed by a health-care provider
Career Options
WHAT YOU COULD BE:
- By-law officer
- Corporate investigator
- Corrections officer
- Loss prevention investigator
- Nuclear security officer
- Park warden
- Platoon dispatcher
- Police officer
- Probation officer
- Residential counsellor
- Special constable
- Youth group home worker
WHERE YOU COULD WORK:
- Federal, provincial, and municipal governments
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Police/corrections companies
- Security companies
- Corporate security
- Youth services organizations
Technology Recommendations
To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i3
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
Internet connection
More Info:https://durhamcollege.ca/programs/advanced-law-enforcement-and-investigations#tabTech