Program Overview

With the accelerated Police Foundations program, you’ll be ready to compete for a spot among the best after just three 16-week semesters. If you’ve been thinking about a career that is valued and respected, this accelerated program will train you to be among the best in the field, while also giving you a strong base to compete for a spot in the Ontario Constable Selection System.

Program Details

Program Code
PFT2W
Credential:
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
48 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability

Full Time Offerings

2023 September
Woodstock
Closed
Start Dates
Locations
Availability

Full Time Offerings

2023 September
Woodstock
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.

 

As well, in just one year, you’ll have the option of remaining in the program or transferring into the Protection, Security and Investigation program (PSI), concentrating on loss prevention, risk management and corporate and commercial security. With the Police Foundations program, your selfless 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
  • instructor
     

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:

Correctional Officer
Exercise reasonable, safe and secure control while encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens.

Security Guard
Help keep the hospital secure by screening patients coming into the facility.

RCMP Officer
Work to prevent crime, enforce laws, build relationships with communities and keep Canadians safe.

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:

Elizabeth Schonemann

 

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant with the following courses:

- Grade 12 English (C) with a minimum final grade of 70%, 

OR

- Grade 12 English (U) with a minimum final grade of 60%

Students who do not meet the admission requirements are recommended for academic upgrading. A conditional offer may be possible with proof of enrolment. Alternatively, applicants may choose to do the one-year Public Safety Fundamentals preparatory program. Graduates who have a minimum grade of B in WRIT-1089 and a minimum grade of C+ in the remaining courses will meet the admissions requirements for this program.

Note:

After the first year in the police foundations program, students can remain in the program or transfer into the Protection, Security & Investigation program (PSI).

International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements

English Language Requirements

Test Score
TOEFL iBT 79
IELTS Academic Overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands
CAEL Overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands. score of 80 in listening
PTE Academic 53
Cambridge English Overall score of 169 with no language skill less than 162
ESL4/GAP5 Minimum grade of 80% in Level 8, 75% in Level 9, or 70% in Level 10
Duolingo Overall score of 105, with no score lower than 95

 

Learn More about English Language Requirements

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:

  1. Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
  2. 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)
  3. 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 (Accelerated) 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 (Accelerated) program. The Public Safety Fundamentals program is the preferred designated preparatory program for admission to the Police Foundations (Accelerated) program.
Post-Admission Requirements

Post-Admission Requirements

The following items are applicable to the program:

  • Evidence of Good Health

Courses

Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
PFLP-1004Criminal Code3
In this course students will analyze specific elements of selected Criminal Code offences. These include offences against the person, against property and against public order. Students will use the Criminal Code to research offences and apply case law.
PSYC-1001Introduction to Psychology3
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-1001Sociology & Canadian Society3
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.
PFLP-1003Fitness & Lifestyle Management 12
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.
PSYC-1002Interpersonal & Group Dynamics3
This is an introductory level course in which students learn to apply knowledge and theory about interpersonal relations and group dynamics while working in a team. Students engage in cooperative work in multidisciplinary integrated enforcement groups to achieve established goals.
PFLP-1002Canadian Criminal Justice System3
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.
SOCI-1004Contemporary Social Problems3
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the theoretical and historical analysis of contemporary social problems. Topics of study will include conflicting views of social problems, brief histories of social problem ideas, moral entrepreneurship, mental illness, substance abuse, poverty, domestic violence, and elder abuse. The student will also analyze differing strategies of intervention, objections to intervention, and the unanticipated consequences of intervention.
WRIT-1089Reason & Writing 1 for Public Safety3
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-1019Law Enforcement Ethics & Leadership2
In this course, students will examine issues surrounding ethical decision-making in policing and law enforcement through scenario based learning and the review of cases involving police and correctional/security misconduct. Students will be exposed to critical judgment exercises and sound ethical decision-making protocols. Students will also learn principles of leadership and followership, and will explore the implications of law enforcement personnel being held to a higher standard as public role models.
PFLP-3002Police Powers 13
This course will examine pertinent sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and their impact on the Canadian Criminal Procedure. Police powers of arrest, release, search and seizure, police discretion and its implications will also be discussed. This course will enable the student to become familiar with police terminology and apply the procedures required to arrest and release.
View all courses

Tuition Summary

Woodstock

Canadian Costs
$6,475.23
Total Cost of Program
International Costs
$30,919.01
Total Cost of Program

*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.

 

Contact/Questions