Basic Peace Officer Certificate of Achievement

Program Description

This certificate is designed for state certified entry-level positions in law enforcement agencies. Successful completion of this program and subsequent completion of the hiring agencies probationary period in a Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (POST) certified agency qualifies the student for a California POST certificate. This program meets Penal Code §832 requirement of training as a peace officer in the state of California. This program is offered in two formats: The Intensive Format (approximately 23 weeks) and the Extended Format (approximately 52 weeks). Students working for certificates must have a basic knowledge of arithmetic, reading and writing in order to learn and work in the occupations they select.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program.  Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway.  It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Division

Social Sciences, Human Development, Kinesiology & Health

Department

Criminal Justice/Police Science

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Public Service, Culture, Society

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply to any law enforcement agency in the State of California as a peace officer.

  2. Apply knowledge and skills required in completing a Field Training Program (FTO).

  3. Apply understanding and skills essential in patrol procedures, firearms, administration of justice, defensive tactics, physical training, First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, traffic investigation, water safety, and driver training.

  4. Recognize the importance of community policing, cultural diversity, victim awareness, and the development of positive community relationships.

  5. Demonstrate the ability to identify and understand key crime prevention techniques; and to accurately read and recognize circumstances under which search and seizures can be conducted.

  6. Analyze the relationships between law enforcement, corrections, and courts.

  7. Understand criminal law and the criminal justice system; and the origin, philosophy, concepts, and procedure of evidence; the judicial decisions and theories, degrees of evidence, individual rights, and case studies.

  8. Choose to further their education by completing the requirements for an Administration of Justice degree.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

52 Week Semester

12 units
POLICE 002
Basic Law Enforcement Academy

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.

Course Details:

  1. Corequisite: POLICE 100
  2. Corequisite: POLICE 101
  3. Corequisite: POLICE 102
  4. Corequisite: POLICE 103
  5. Departmental Advisory: POLICE 001
  6. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
  7. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
POLICE 100
Criminal Law
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.

Course Details:

  1. Corequisite: POLICE 002
  2. Corequisite: POLICE 101
  3. Corequisite: POLICE 102
  4. Corequisite: POLICE 103
  5. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    6. or
  6. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
  7. 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.
POLICE 101
Procedure and Evidence
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.

Course Details:

  1. Corequisite: POLICE 002
  2. Corequisite: POLICE 100
  3. Corequisite: POLICE 102
  4. Corequisite: POLICE 103
  5. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    6. or
  6. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
  7. 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.
POLICE 102
Community Policing
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.

Course Details:

  1. Corequisite: POLICE 002
  2. Corequisite: POLICE 100
  3. Corequisite: POLICE 101
  4. Corequisite: POLICE 103
  5. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    6. or
  6. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
  7. 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.
POLICE 103
Introduction to Criminal Investigation
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.

Course Details:

  1. Corequisite: POLICE 002
  2. Corequisite: POLICE 100
  3. Corequisite: POLICE 101
  4. Corequisite: POLICE 102
  5. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    6. or
  6. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
  7. 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.