Advanced Law Enforcement And Investigations Program Overview
Durham College 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 and provides students with opportunities to develop relevant applied skills specific to the field of justice.
Students in the law enforcement program will:
Gain experience in dealing with social and organizational issues related to law enforcement agencies and community safety within an increasingly diverse society. Students will learn to navigate complex issues such as racial profiling, mental health crises, and community relations, equipping them to foster trust and cooperation.
Apply their in-class knowledge and gain valuable hands-on experience in simulated crime scene scenarios as well as through two field placements totaling 256 hours with various law enforcement and security-related agencies. These immersive experiences allow students to practice investigative techniques, evidence collection, and crime scene management in real-world environments, preparing them for the challenges of a career in law enforcement.
Graduates of the Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations program are well-prepared for a variety of rewarding careers in law enforcement, security, and emergency management. With specialized training and practical experience, you’ll be qualified for roles in policing, corrections, private security, and more, with opportunities for career advancement into supervisory or specialized positions.
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Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations Program Details
The Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations program is designed for individuals with previous education or work experience. Aimed at college and university graduates, students will gain specialized knowledge and skills required to work as a law enforcement officer with supervisory-level knowledge and attributes. The curriculum covers advanced topics such as investigative techniques, crisis intervention, and public safety communications, preparing graduates for leadership roles. In addition to theoretical knowledge, there is a strong focus on ethical decision-making, leadership development, and community engagement, all of which are essential for effective law enforcement in today’s diverse society.
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. Yearly Fitness Invitational where recruiters are invited to attend to watch students run the fitness tests.
Simulated crime scene scenarios to apply investigative tools and skills learned in class. By practicing in controlled environments, students build confidence in their ability to handle real-world investigations.
Two field placement experiences with various law enforcement and security-related agencies allow for hands-on knowledge within the professional environments. Students will be able to apply their classroom learning in real-world scenarios, building relationships with professionals in the field.
As a graduate, you will be able to achieve the certificate of completion or professional designations (where noted) as follows:
APCO Institute Inc. Public Safety Telecommunicator I (professional designation)
SafeTALK – Suicide Alertness Training Certificate (LivingWorks)
Situational Awareness Specialist (SAS) certification (Arcuri Group LLC).
Warrior 21-resiliency and mental health certification.
Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations 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 for the Law Enforcement Program
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 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
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Course delivery
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person:
Course is delivered in person, on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Hybrid:
Part of the course is delivered online, remotely, and part is in-person on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Online:
Fully remote course delivery.
Costs for the Law Enforcement Program
Post Admission and Field Placement Documentation
In order to maintain confidentiality and security, the Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations program utilizes an independent provider, Verified by Synergy Gateway (Synergy) for documentation collection and validation. There is a cost associated with this external agency. You will receive information on how to access the service once you have completed the registration.
The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks. There may be additional costs; however, not all courses require textbooks.
Finances shouldn’t be a barrier to you achieving your educational goals. DC’s Financial Aid and Awards office is here to help you navigate a number of financial aid programs to support your education.
Career Options in Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations
The Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations program opens the door to a wide range of career options within the law enforcement and security sectors. Graduates are equipped with advanced skills in areas such as crisis management and public safety communications, making them ideal candidates for roles in policing, border services, corrections, and private security. The hands-on training and field placements provide students with real-world experience and professional connections that can lead to immediate employment opportunities. Graduates of this program are well-positioned for long-term success in various branches of law enforcement and public safety.
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, indigenous, and municipal police services
Federal, provincial, and municipal governments
Provincial and Federal Corrections
Not-for-profit organizations
Private security companies
Nuclear power plants
Corporate security
Youth services organizations
Experiential Learning
The field placement element is an essential component of the Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations graduate certificate program. Students are required to complete 112 hours of field placement in semester one and 144 hours in semester two for a total of 256 hours. Field placement provides students with direct supervised experience while still engaging in academic studies.
Eligibility
Students will work with the Field Placement Officer to secure their field placement position. Before confirming and commencing field placement, students require clearance from the program coordinator and field placement officer to ensure they have submitted all the necessary pre-placement paperwork and training requirements.
Post Admission and Field Placement Documentation
To maintain confidentiality and security, the Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations program utilizes an independent provider, Verified by Synergy Gateway for field placement documentation collection and validation. This process is the Electronic Student Permit Checking (ESPC). There is a cost associated with this external agency. Please refer to the Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations ESPC Information Package for details.
Contact
For more information contact Mary Sich, Student Advisor/Placement Officer.
Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials
Graduates may also be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
Tech Requirements for the Law Enforcement Program
To help students have the best 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
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk.
Meet Your Faculty Experts
Yvonne Armstrong
Faculty Member, Faculty of Social and Community Services (SCS)
Yvonne Armstrong has over 20 years of Law Enforcement experience. First as a senior constable with Toronto Police Service and upon leaving policing joined OPG-Pickering Nuclear as an armed nuclear response force officer. Yvonne sits on the Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Panel to the Toronto Police Services Board.
Ron Kapuscinski
Faculty Member, Faculty of Social and Community Services (SCS)
Ron Kapuscinski has close to three decades of experience in law enforcement. Ron has experience in all areas of policing but has spent the majority of his career in criminal investigations. Over the last five years, he has worked in Professional Standards and previously, he led the Human Trafficking Unit.
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