Student Experience

Value Added – Beneficial Certifications

Every student in the Police Foundations program has the opportunity to complete the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services approved Security Guard course at no extra cost! The basic training course aims to ensure all security guards in the province have the knowledge and skills to carry out their work professionally, effectively, safely and lawfully.

Students also complete the Positive Space course. Positive Spaces provides training, education, leadership, and resource-sharing to support LGBTQ + newcomers, staff, volunteers and community members to fully participate in communities. By knowing how to create inclusive spaces, students are demonstrating their commitment to visibly welcome diversity. Students are also learning to ensure that everyone has the chance to access service in a safe, welcoming environment – which is a human right.

Learn practical skills in real-life scenarios

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus places a strong emphasis on providing students with real-life work experiences to better prepare them for their careers. As part of their training, students practice their investigative skills by participating in mock scenarios that simulate traffic accidents, domestic disputes and narcotics investigations. Each student plays a role in these scenarios, while actual police officers help teach the students the dos and don’ts of investigative work. Once they have completed the scenarios, students act out the ensuing court procedures, providing them with more relevant learning that will prepare them for their future in law and security careers.

Mock Disaster Scenario Training: Students also have the opportunity to collaborate with students from other programs during an Interprofessional Mock Critical Incident Training Exercise on campus. Our students in the Police Foundations, Personal Support Worker, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Environmental Technician, Applied Nuclear Science and Radiation Safety, Practical Nursing, and Social Service Worker experience what it’s like to work collaboratively in a mock emergency situation. This exercise looks very real with student actors playing the role of victims, while other students actively participate as first responders to an emergency situation. Experiential learning at its best!

A vehicle transporting sensitive equipment was stolen. It is believed that the perpetrators stole the vehicle with the intent of utilizing the contents for a radiological dispersive device. The perpetrators removed the contents of the teletherapy unit from its shielding, thus increasing the radiological hazard.

While trying to escape with the stolen vehicle the driver was shot by the OPP, trying to evade the OPP the vehicle came to the College property to hide the vehicle. They entered the compound at a high speed and hit 2 people outside.

Gain experience through community involvement

Pan Am Games 2015 – Security Team

Student experience is vital to students in the Police Foundations program. They gain valuable hands-on experience by working closely with community organizations to hone their pre-policing skills. Our students are active in several community activities such as the United Way campaign, and providing security at Pembroke Lumber Kings Junior A hockey games. This community involvement helps our students make valuable community connections and build their resume with important volunteer activities. Students seen in this photo will be participating in the 2015 Pan Am Games as part of the security detail. Not only does this opportunity offer great work experience on a world stage and better their resumes, but it is also an opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with OPP and RCMP officers.

“I was unsure still what I wanted to do, whether it was a trade or some other “in demand” program. I could not see myself happy in any other role except policing. I made the decision and I went for it, no questions asked and determined to do everything in my power to succeed. I was scared obviously, as I had been out of school for over 14 years. Being that it was a smaller class, I was able to take on a leadership role and mentor those around me. Policing is in me, it is something that I want and believe it is my calling to do so.”

– Dallas MacLeod
Police Foundation Grad 2013

Top training facilities

Students can take advantage of an exceptional opportunity to complete their fitness and skills training in our beautiful on-campus gymnasium and fitness facilities. On occasion, through a partnership with Canadian Forces Garrison Petawawa, students have access to Dundonald Hall, which features an Olympic size swimming pool.