Police Foundations | Durham College

Overview

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Program Overview

This unique two-year diploma program prepares students both academically and physically, for rewarding careers in the field of public policing. By mirroring similar training and fitness requirements as expected from municipal police services, the Ontario Provincial Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Forces. Graduates from this program gain essential life skills that employers are looking for.

Students in this program will:

Develop social, critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills necessary to effectively work with members of the public.
Gain an opportunity to work with vulnerable, disenfranchised and high-need populations.
Earn additional certifications including Mental Health First Aid.

Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2025	Open	Open	Apply now
January 2026	Open	Closed	Apply now

ProgramHighlights

Police Foundations student wins $5,000 Durham College tuition credit Learn More

Lead the way
2025 Program Guide Read Now

Other Resources

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
AND
Grade 12 English (ENG/EAE) (C or U) (minimum 65 per cent)

POST-ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Proof of Criminal Record Check (CRC) or Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC), may be required for Field Placement in Year 2 of studies.

SEPTEMBER OR JANUARY START

You may enter Year 1 of the Police Foundations program in September or January. If you begin classes in January, you will complete semesters 1 and 2 from January to August and start Year 2, Semester 3 in September.

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.

Tuition

Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
Year one international: $14,884 (CAD)

View full costs

Semester 1 Courses

View all courses

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Police officer
Border services
Community service officer
Federal or provincial correctional officer
Provincial offences officer
By-law officer
Youth services officer
Loss prevention officer
Security guard
Special constables
Parliamentary Protective Services Officer
Private security

View all career options

Connect with us

I AM A CANADIAN APPLICANT

Contact recruitment

Live Chat

905.721.3126

Fill out the form to get more information on your program of interest, upcoming events, and how to become a Durham College student. By submitting your information below, you consent to Durham College contacting you via email and/or SMS with a minimum of 4 messages per month. You may withdraw consent at any time.

Durham College Programs

I HAVE ALREADY APPLIED

Email admissions

Live Chat

905.721.3000

I AM AN INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT

Contact

Live Chat

905.721.2000 ext. 7697

I HAVE ALREADY APPLIED

Please contact the international office.

Program Details

This program will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue an entry-level policing position including a broad education in human relation skills and the interpretation of social interaction including the study of:

Community policing
Communications
Investigation and evidence processes
Police powers and procedures
Professional ethics
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Indigenous justice and social justice issues
Policing and politics
Community connections
Global connections and opportunities
Additional training/certification opportunities

As a graduate, you will be eligible for a career in public policing with organizations such as:

Municipal Police Services (e.g. Toronto Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, York Regional Police Service, Peel Regional Police Service)
Provincial Police Services (e.g. Ontario Provincial Police)
Federal law enforcement services (e.g. Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Parliamentary Protective Services)
Indigenous Police Services (e.g., Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service)

You will be subject to all requirements of the constable selection process and local police requirements when applying for a position as a constable. Please be aware that specific, minimum criteria such as vision and hearing standards will apply as will a clear Criminal Background Check. For more information, please visit the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Certificate Testing online.

Program Learning Outcomes

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.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
AND
Grade 12 English (ENG/EAE) (C or U) (minimum 65 per cent)

POST-ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Proof of Criminal Record Check (CRC) or Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC), may be required for Field Placement in Year 2 of studies.

SEPTEMBER OR JANUARY START

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.

Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.

Courses

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.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

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

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.

Residency

Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident International

Started Academic Year In

Fall Winter Spring

Police Foundations Year 1 Costs

Semester 1
Tuition:	$1,361.03
Program Fee:	$105
Ancillary Fee:	$480.71
DCSA Ancillary Fee:	$386.89
Total:	$2,333.63

Semester 2
Tuition:	$1,361.02
Program Fee:	$0
Ancillary Fee:	$480.71
DCSA Ancillary Fee:	$102.75
Total:	$1,944.48

Police Foundations Year 2 Costs

Semester 3
Tuition:	$1,361.03
Program Fee:	$115
Ancillary Fee:	$461.5
DCSA Ancillary Fee:	$386.89
Total:	$2,324.42

Semester 4
Tuition:	$1,361.02
Program Fee:	$0
Ancillary Fee:	$461.5
DCSA Ancillary Fee:	$102.75
Total:	$1,925.27

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Police officer
Border services
Community service officer
Federal or provincial correctional officer
Provincial offences officer
By-law officer
Youth services officer
Loss prevention officer
Security guard
Special constables
Parliamentary Protective Services Officer
Private security

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Security companies
Youth and community service organizations
Event management security
Homeless and youth shelters
Loss prevention agencies
Banks
Municipal government
Provincial government
Federal government

Experiential Learning

There are several opportunities throughout the program to gain hands-on experience. Some examples include:

Completing certifications, such as the Mental Health First Aid Certificate from the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Presenting a problem-based learning business plan to a panel of local police professionals.
Completing 40 hours of Field Placement supporting vulnerable populations.
Collaborating with law enforcement members and recruiters, helping you build valuable connections in the field.

Required Documentation

Students will be required to complete mandatory certifications or documentation to be eligible to participate in Field Placement. Information and instructions will be made available in our Learning Management System in the Field Placement course upon student registration and the course start date. In some circumstances, students may require proof of a Vulnerable Sector Check pending Field Placement Host requirements.

Contact

For more information contact Treina Kennington, Student Advisor/Field Placement Officer.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Qualified graduates can go on to take Durham College’s Advanced Law Enforcement; Conflict Resolution and Mediation; Victim Justice and Interventions; and Paralegal; programs.

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.

Tech Requirements

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 or the school office.