Student Experience
What to Expect
The Police Foundations program at Algonquin College is the first step in preparing for a career in law enforcement. Our professors bring industry experience to the classroom to further assist students in preparing to enter the workforce.
Program Highlights
- Scenario-based learning
- Industry speakers and experts
- Canadian Laws and their application
- Career portfolio development
- Communication and interpersonal skill development
- Strong fitness component
- Law enforcement-specific writing skills
- Community service opportunities
Stay fit in our on-site facilities
As fitness is an important aspect to a career in law enforcement, in the program you will use an on-site fitness lab to prepare for the PREP and PARE physical readiness tests. In support of your work in our fitness lab, you are expected to establish and maintain your own exercise schedule. Students who are full–time or paying the student activity fee have access to our Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre on campus.
Watch: Police Foundations Info Session. Hear from faculty, a student and a graduate about how the program will provide you with a foundational knowledge of the field of law enforcement.
Success Stories and Testimonials
“I chose this pr
ogram because I wanted to get into law enforcement.
What impressed me most about the program were the amazing professors and the amount of real-world application it offered. It provided a solid foundation for getting into the field.
The highlights from my time at AC were the professors, the volunteering opportunities, and my classmates. I also enjoyed the hands-on learning experiences, including conducting real-world interviews, fingerprinting, and giving presentations to students in the Ottawa-Carleton District.
Algonquin College changed my life by helping me gain the experience that led me to where I am today. I now work for the Ottawa Police as a civilian employee and my role is Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) Operator. My responsibilities include receiving, entering, modifying, retrieving, and transmitting confidential information into the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and other computerized information systems, ensuring the quality of the information entered. I also provide 24-hour essential service information from databanks to authorized agencies and personnel. Before joining the Ottawa Police, I worked for the OC Transpo Special Constable Unit and in youth corrections.
The program allowed me to hone a lot of my computer skills and prepare for the kinds of things I would be dealing with in law enforcement.
If you’re thinking about taking this program, I’d tell you to take it if you’re interested in getting into law enforcement. You get what you put into it. If you don’t take it seriously, you’re just going to waste your time. But if you do take it seriously, the sky’s the limit.
The accomplishment I’m most proud of since graduating is joining the police and fulfilling a lifelong dream.
If I could describe my experience at Algonquin College in one word, it would be: Amazing.”
-Mashal Abdallah, Graduate
Hear firsthand from Conor about what he got out of the Police Foundations program, and how to be successful in the program:
“My overall experience in going through the Algonquin College Police Foundations program was one that I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else.
The amazing faculty shared their real life experience – from being youth services workers, police officers, social workers, to doctors and mental health workers. In my opinion getting taught from a professor who has had a past career in the topic makes the class much more exciting!
I know that what I have learned here at Algonquin College will stick around with me through my future endeavors/career. This program has made my life long goal of becoming a police officer one step closer — and by one step, I mean a step packed full of experiences, memories, continuous learning and lifelong connections.
My favorite part of this course is the real experience you get. During my first year, after talking with faculty I decided to start working at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre and volunteered at many organizations throughout the Ottawa area. This program has endless opportunities and the advice I would give to all current/future students is to put your absolute all into this program, talk to the instructors and get the critical feedback they are happy to provide. When the professors offer additional course/training…take it!! The opportunities that can arise from these conversations/bonuses are crucial for your next steps in the real world and these lifelong connections can be one of the most important aspects to any post-secondary education.”
– Ryan de Ville Graduate, Frontline Worker, Ottawa Mission, Security Services, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
“I have been fortunate to work with graduates of Police Foundations programs in the past in a mental health facility I worked in and found the individuals to be strong members of the team and most concerned for the well being of youth.”
-Roxanne Trumble-Elliston, Operations Manager, Kemptville Youth Centre
“All the professors have so much experience in policing, investigations, in the discipline they’re teaching in, hearing them talk about all the things they did in their career really motivates students to strive to be successful.
It’s a highly-regarded program so right away when my work found out I graduated from here it was an asset. The skills I learned here (the report-writing, the investigations) all played a part in what I do today in my position.”
– Nicholas, Graduate, Royal Canadian Mint
Work Integrated Learning
Community service is integral to our program and reflects current trends in law enforcement fields. Our students are recruited regularly to lend a hand in the community. Students take PFP6000 Community Service in level 2 and serve volunteer hours with community partners which are aligned with core competencies expected from industry.
Portfolio development is a measurable outcome of the program. Students taking PFP4098 Career Preparation in level 3 have the opportunity to take part in mock interviews, resume development and learn from industry representatives, all of which contributes to their professional portfolios.
Recruitment events: In addition to the AC program wide career fair held every winter semester, our program hosts recruitment events throughout the academic year. These can include field representatives from all levels of policing, security and bylaw agencies, Commissionaires, Corrections, and other law enforcement agencies.
Police Foundations learners help brighten hallways!
Over forty learners volunteered much of their day to help paint and brighten hallways at 31 McEwen Ave. The Police Foundations program partnered with the Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCH) to support this community initiative.