Police Science | Academic Catalog

One of modern government’s most challenging tasks is the enforcement of laws and the protection of lives and property while respecting constitutional individual rights. Carefully selected, highly trained and motivated peace officers are central in this task. The Basic Law Enforcement Academy is presented in both an intensive and extended format for students interested in becoming peace officers.

The state screening requirements for admission into the Basic Law Enforcement Academy are: A person must have a physical examination, Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check and clearance, a valid California driver’s license with no restrictions (one exception is corrective lenses), and never have been convicted of a felony. Police Science classes are certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.

POLICE 001 1.5 Units

Police Academy Preparation

Lecture: 36 contact hours
Lab: 8 contact hours

This course is designed to provide the student with the necessary information and guidance to meet the requirements for entry into and completion of the intensive or extended police academy. The course comprehensively covers personal leadership development skills as well as mental and physical preparation strategies fundamental to a successful police academy experience.

Associate Degree Applicable

POLICE 002 26 Units

Basic Law Enforcement Academy

Lecture: 325 contact hours
Lab: 444 contact hours

Corequisite: POLICE 100 and POLICE 101 and POLICE 102 and POLICE 103

Advisory: POLICE 001 and ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H

Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to those students who meet state screening requirements as outlined in the Government Code California Penal Code and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Administrative Manual.

Basic training for new law enforcement officers. This course covers but is not limited to: leadership, professionalism and ethics, criminal justice system, juvenile law, patrol procedures, domestic violence, traffic enforcement, lifetime fitness, defensive tactics, first aid and CPR, and firearms.

Associate Degree Applicable

POLICE 003 11 Units

Basic Police Academy Requalification

Lecture: 180 contact hours
Lab: 54 contact hours

Prerequisite: Completion of a POST-Approved Basic Academy Course

This course is in compliance with the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) requirements for requalification training. This course re-certifies students who graduated from a POST-approved basic police academy more than three years ago and have not obtained employment as a sworn police officer. This course also re-certifies students who have graduated from a POST-approved academy and have been previously employed as a peace officer, and are returning to employment as a police officer after a break of more than three years.

POLICE 100 3 Units

Criminal Law

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Corequisite: POLICE 002 and POLICE 101 and POLICE 102 and POLICE 103

Advisory: ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H

Limitation on Enrollment: This course is limited to students who have successfully met state screening requirements: possession of a California driver's license without restrictions other than required eyeglasses or contact lenses and possession of a current letter of clearance issued by the California Department of Justice that certifies the right to be in possession of a firearm.

This course analyses property crimes, crimes against persons, crimes against children, child abuse reporting, sex crimes, crimes against the judicial system, weapons violations, relevant laws and court decisions and crimes against the public peace. This course will focus on the relationship between criminal law and the criminal justice system. Classification of crimes and their application to the criminal justice system will also be covered in the course.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to CSU only

POLICE 101 3 Units

Procedure and Evidence

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Corequisite: POLICE 002 and POLICE 100 and POLICE 102 and POLICE 103

Advisory: ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H

Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to those students who meet the screening requirements as outlined in the Government Code California Penal Code and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Administrative Manual.

This course will address a peace officer's authority, liability and responsibility to make a lawful arrest, and current search and seizure laws. It includes the origin, development, philosophy, and constitutional basis of evidence; rules and procedures governing admissibility and judicial decisions interpreting individual rights.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to CSU only

POLICE 102 3 Units

Community Policing

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Corequisite: POLICE 002 and POLICE 100 and POLICE 101 and POLICE 103

Advisory: ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H

This course addresses the origin, concepts and philosophy of community policing, and victim awareness and the development of positive relationships with the public. It includes cultural diversity and discrimination.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to CSU only

POLICE 103 3 Units

Introduction to Criminal Investigation

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Corequisite: POLICE 002 and POLICE 100 and POLICE 101 and POLICE 102

Advisory: ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H

Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment is limited to those students who meet screening requirements as outlined in the Government Code California Penal Code and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Administrative Manual.

This course will address the examination of crime, evidence and police procedures in investigating crime. This includes documenting, recording and preserving evidence found at crime scenes.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to CSU only

POLICE 601 Noncredit

Mature Driving

Lecture: 10 contact hours

This noncredit course is designed to update the driving skills of mature students. Curriculum for this course is provided by the State of California's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to help older drivers become more defensive, more alert to their surroundings, and to familiarize them with new traffic laws. This course is intended for adults 55 and older, but is open to all students.