Justice Studies: Police Foundations

This course is designed to help students strengthen their fundamental skills in writing clear, effective sentences and paragraphs, and enable them to create organized, unified and coherent documents. The writing process is introduced. Students will recognize the importance of writing for the intended purpose and audience.

In this course, learners write notebook, logbook, entries and reports following guidelines used by the related agencies. Learners complete exercises that familiarize them with professional communication practices. Learners are required to work in groups to show the importance of teams within the field. This interactive course closely mirrors the writing and reporting responsibilities in the daily workplace routine.

This course aims to equip learners with an understanding of the mental health issues they may encounter during their duties. Learners develop the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, respond to, and manage mental health challenges. They learn to identify signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders, examine the impact of trauma and stress on mental health, intervene effectively, and access appropriate resources for mental health support for themselves and others.

This course aims to instruct learners on the crucial role of first responders during significant incidents and emergencies involving fire, hazardous materials, and urgent medical care, among others. It provides learners with insight into the responsibilities of first responders who may face potential threats to diverse sites, workplaces, or individuals. Learners will learn to initiate an emergency response sequence, including stabilizing the situation and alerting the relevant authorities. This educational framework equips learners with the essential knowledge and skills to serve as awareness-level first responders, guaranteeing prompt and effective action in emergency situations.

This course provides the learner with a clear understanding of the role of counselling in helping others to develop coping and problem-solving skills. In this course, learners develop further listening and empathy skills as well as professionalism within the counselling process. Learners also explore various counselling techniques to aid clients.

Prerequisites:

• RELA1125A

This course provides insight into the principles and standards guiding law enforcement professionals in maintaining ethical conduct and accountability within their roles. Using an interdisciplinary approach, learners explore the moral and legal frameworks that shape policing practices. Within the course, there’s a focus on fostering a deep understanding of the ethical choices law enforcement encounter as well as the mechanisms in place for accountability. Learners develop further critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills to make sound decisions under pressure within the field.

The Canadian Criminal Justice System is comprised of three major components: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Learners become familiar with the roles and functions of these components, how they relate to each other, and how Criminal Law impacts all three. Throughout the course, they have an opportunity to critically analyze the various components of the justice system, as well as examine the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the system. They also explore contemporary issues, including public/private relationships in the law enforcement context, public involvement in criminal justice processes, restorative justice, victims of crime, youth justice and programs designed to reduce crime and rehabilitate offenders.

This foundational course provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of security principles, policies, and practices essential for maintaining the integrity and safety of justice systems. There is an emphasis on the critical role of security in various justice-related environments, such as law enforcement agencies, courts, correctional facilities, and related institutions.

This course provides learners with a better insight of what constitutes crime and the theories used to explain crime. Further, the course introduces learners to the discipline of criminology, basic concepts, theories, and how they apply to the various types of criminal behaviour.

This specialized course in Canadian Criminal Law and Code provides a thorough examination of the legal principles, statutes, and procedures that govern criminal offenses within the Canadian legal system. Learners explore the foundational elements of Canadian criminal law, analyze relevant statutes, and delve into case law to develop a comprehensive understanding of the unique aspects of the Canadian criminal justice system.

Prerequisites:

• JUST1037B

In this course, learners examine the evolution of youth justice legislation, historical and contemporary, with an emphasis on the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Learners explore the special circumstances and procedures necessary to implement when dealing with youth. This includes considering meaningful consequences and the administration of justice related to youth.

This course provides an introduction to the meaning of community service.  Students learn how community service can enhance a student’s educational experience, personal growth, employability, and civic responsibility. Students participate in one day of volunteering to enhance their understanding of civic responsibility and to help the New Brunswick Community College realize its vision of transforming lives and communities.

This course introduces learners to the fundamentals of defensive driving and patrol procedures. These skills are critical for law enforcement officers, security personnel, and other professionals who routinely operate vehicles and conduct patrols as part of their duties. Learners will apply the principles of defensive driving, including the significance of situational awareness, vehicle control, hazard identification, emergency response, and defensive techniques. The course also examines patrol procedures, considering factors such as the specific site or location, required security level, type of industry, and facility size.

This course introduces learners to the basics of the police interview and the interaction of officers with clients during an investigation. They learn how to proceed in investigations and the collection of evidence in manners that are lawful and maintain the integrity of a case to aid in successful prosecutions of those who are guilty and exclusion from the proceeding those who are innocent. Learners also explore how to accurately identify various substances as well as their side effects as use or misuse may impact the reliability and/or admissibility of statements.

This course equips learners with the knowledge, strategies, and skills needed to effectively manage conflicts, defuse volatile situations, and promote peaceful resolutions. It also introduces learners to alternative dispute resolution, mediation, and interest-based negotiation techniques. Theoretical concepts, case studies, scenario-based training, and role-playing exercises aid in the development of practical skills and techniques applicable to justice-related environments. Skills acquired in this course can be applied to multiple types of conflict situations, such as disputes, complaints, and personal conflicts.

This course is designed to provide learners with a direct, supervised practical experience. Such an experience enables learners to apply the knowledge acquired during their training directly to their field of study. The course exposes the learners to the work environment and participants are expected to become members of the team in the industry site to which they are attached. Learners are expected to follow the work schedule of their field placement host.

Industry Capstone: Justice Studies provides an opportunity for learners to demonstrate their accumulated knowledge and skills through practical application with a community/ industry partner. Under supervision, learners work collaboratively building skills in communication, problem-solving and project management, while adhering to industry practices and procedures.

This course focuses on key operational strategies in Canadian policing. Emphasizing practical application, learners explore patrol functions, investigative techniques, and legal procedures for effective law enforcement. Strategies in Policing examines response strategies for domestic violence cases as well as the procedures for traffic collision investigations, including relevant crime scene management and evidence procedures.

Prerequisites:

• POLI1033B

This course focuses on the philosophical approach of community policing and initiatives that police can use to aid in making communities healthier and safer places to live. Learners explore the pro-active nature and benefits of community policing as well as various methods to engage with the community. In this course, learners gain insight into how to build relationships with the public and empower the community.

This course focuses on conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques to ensure the best possible outcome for crisis, emergency, or conflict situations. Learners explore rational decision-making for complex scenarios and the variability of situational response in relation to a conflict’s greater environmental, emotional, and psychological factors. This course also explores situations requiring further specialized de-escalation tactics as well as self-defense techniques.

Prerequisites:

• POLI1034B

Crime scene management skills are essential to investigations as evidence originating from crime scenes provides a picture of events for courts to consider in deliberations. This course focuses on effective handling of forensic evidence and proper management of crime scenes. Learners discover the procedures and legal authority to process a crime scene including: securing the scene, integrity of the scene, physical evidence collection, continuity and management, and documentation.

Prerequisites:

• POLI1033B

This course introduces the fundamentals of digital forensics and cybersecurity as a basis for law enforcement professionals. Learners explore the procedures and legal requirements under the Criminal Code of Canada related to seizing and protecting digital devices as well as how the court may use the digital data. This course also examines precedent setting Canadian legal cases and the challenges within the field arising from evolving technologies.

This field placement provides learners with further insight into the field of policing and justice. Learners participate in a supervised practical experience, which includes a significant portion of observation due to the safety and security required in the profession. Through this field placement, learners can apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, gain valuable skills, and enhance their understanding of the challenges and responsibilities associated within the field.

Learners are introduced to the major concepts and theoretical perspectives of the field of psychology. They explore such topics as history, research methods, sensation, perception, consciousness, memory, and intelligence using critical thinking and skeptical inquiry.

This course provides learners with the knowledge base for critical thinking about abnormal psychology as it relates to the study of human behaviour. Learners gain an appreciation of contemporary issues in the field of abnormal psychology through examining empirical research that explores classification, etiology, and treatment of behavioural disorders.

Prerequisites:

• PSYC1084B

Social psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on people as social beings. Social psychologists study how people think about, are influenced by, and interact with others. Policing is a field that requires an understanding of how people interact, how community is formed and the process of control; all of which can be explained by social psychology. This course explores attitudes, influence and attitude change, stereotypes and prejudice, conformity and obedience, altruism, aggression, attraction, group processes, relationships between groups, social protest, and social change through the lens of social psychology.

Prerequisites:

• PSYC1084B

The purpose of this course is to examine the underlying concepts and principles that influence the ways people behave and communicate with each other. With an increased awareness of these factors that affect interpersonal relationships, the student will critically assess how these concepts can be applied in practice both personally and professionally.

A safe and healthy workplace is the responsibility of the employer and the employee. This course introduces students to the importance of working safely and addresses how employers and employees can control the hazards and risks associated with the workplace. Students will also learn about the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders including WorkSafeNB, the employer and the employee in ensuring workplaces are safe.

This course introduces learners to the Criminal Code of Canada, focusing on Section 494 and its practical application in the justice field. Learners will explore how the Criminal Code serves as the foundation for criminal offences and procedure in Canada, while adhering to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and current case law. The course also emphasizes the importance of appropriate intervention strategies, including the Use of Force model. Additionally, learners will examine the role of physical fitness in the justice and enforcement fields and receive an introduction to basic self-defense skills and tactics.

This course provides learners with a basic understanding of the defense and control skills required in the justice profession. Utilizing a team-based approach, learners will begin to develop these skills and gain a preliminary understanding of their application, while also initiating their physical fitness journey. The course introduces appropriate intervention strategies, teaching learners to operate within legal authority and adhere to necessary legislation and standards. Simulated scenarios offer learners their first experiences of handling situations within legal confines, involving individuals displaying inappropriate or illegal behaviors.

This is an integrative course empowering learners with the knowledge and practices to enhance both physical fitness and psychological resilience. Recognizing the unique demands of public safety roles, this course aims to optimize overall well-being, performance, and the ability to effectively manage stress in the face of challenging situations. Emphasis on enhancing physical and psychological skills related to proficiency and effectiveness in dealing with physical threats.

This course is designed to explore areas and issues of local, regional, and national importance to the Indigenous peoples of Canada. Learners are introduced to Indigenous history and culture, including the past and present consequences of colonialism. This includes matters related to identity, land, governance, and community. This course will focus on building allyship through understanding, critical thinking, reflection, and reconciliation.

Students are introduced to the major concepts and theoretical perspectives of the field of sociology. They explore such topics as sociological imagination, research, culture, and socialization.

Learners study victims of crime and the factors connected to victims. This course encompasses a historical perspective outlining theories, legislation, agencies and various services provided to crime victims associated with the criminal justice system. An examination of different types of victims throughout this course provides learners with the information necessary to engage appropriately when working with victims as a professional.