Policing is becoming an increasingly complex job, and the Justice Institute’s newest program aims to prepare future police officers for the ever-evolving field.
On April 10, the New Westminster-based Justice Institute of B.C. unveiled it’s new four-year, bachelor of law enforcement studies program. The program, which begins this fall, aims to address some of the new challenges facing police officers today, such as using new strategies and technology to identify suspects.
According to a press release from the institute, cases like the 2011 Stanley Cup riot, which required investigators to process more than 5,000 hours of video footage and thousands of photos to identify and subsequently build a case against the nearly 300 suspects, are a good example of how policing has changed.
“Forensically processing evidence involves knowing how to protect evidence from contamination and to ensure that any collection of evidence will withstand the most stringent criminal court proceedings,” said Steve McCartney, coordinator for law enforcement studies at the institute, in the release. “Policing today is more complex on so many different levels. It’s no longer just responding to calls … Police officers today have to know how to comprehend massive amounts of information, and they need to know how to write and organize reports and affidavits that are necessary to secure charges.”
The new degree program is an extension of the institute’s law enforcement studies diploma and aims to build on important skills including, leadership, critical thinking and ethical decision-making. Students who enroll in the program will also learn background information about issues in business, human resources, research and labour law.
“The program is the first of its kind in Western Canada,” said Mike Trump, dean of the School of Criminal Justice and Security at the institute. “It was developed to provide the latest techniques and necessary skills to deal with the growing sophistication of crime and the increasing complexity of policing.”
Graduates of the institute’s diploma program will now have the opportunity to extend their education and work towards a degree. Enrolling in this bachelor degree program will give prospective police recruits a competitive edge when it comes time to find employment as a police officer or any other position within law enforcement, McCartney said in the release.
“It also provides career flexibility by providing the skills and knowledge needed in a wide range of other public safety professions,” he added.
For more information, visit http://jibc.ca/programs-courses/schools-departments and click on School of Public Safety and Security.
