Distant Learning and Law Enforcement

[adam]

Has anyone here had any experience with distant learning (on-line courses, telecourses, etc) dealing with public safety?

I'm looking to expand my law enforcement education in anyway I can. I've already completed all of the courses (intro, state law, fed law, community policing, narcotics, evidence, investigation, etc) offered by my college and unfortunately all of the other colleges in the area only offer the same courses. I'm enrolled in PC832 this summer and PC11550, PC832 Firearms and POST Reserve Training this fall. But I want more! After a little bit of research I've found some on-line courses (http://www.cvc.edu/catalog/index.asp) but I'm interested in hearing any comments from people (particularly LE personal) who've taken distant learning courses.

I'm not set on college units. If anyone has any advice for certificates, training courses, etc I'd love to hear them as well! Anything that will make me stand out in the application process and give me an edge on the street.

[Rule.303]

This may help you...

Charles Sturt University in Australia has distance learning packages.

The web address is - http://www.csu.edu.au/

Go to the are "courses" then go to "courses by career and employment". Page down and you will find several Diplomas of Policing that can be obtained. You will see that the courses are only a few hundred dollars in cost. While the aussie dollar is worth only a little over half of the US dollar, it could be a very cheap investment for your future.

While Australian Diplomas are highly recognised in most employment areas in the U.S., I do not know how they are accepted in Law Enforcement. You may wish to make enquiries with angencies that you might see employment from in the future.

[Don]

Hi adam,

Welcome to the forum. If you have any questions about the BB feel free to email any of the staff.

Now to your question. Most of the courses you have mentioned are ones you will be getting in your academy anyway! OTOH it looks good to have any of these on your app/background check. I just hate to see you throw money away by taking the same stuff twice.

As far as credits are concerned, you should be concerned about that as a lot of departments are now requiring a degree before they will even talk to you.

I have never taken this type of course, my "distance learning" has involved one heck of a lot of driving as I didn't have anything available on line before I retired.

------------------
I used to have an open mind - but my brains kept falling out.

6P1 (retired)

[me again]

The following two courses are currently available online:
-- community policing
-- police ethics
(these 2 courses are non-college credit and are FREE due to a Federal grant)

If you're interested, you can get more information at: http://www.spjc.edu/se/ecampus/

[This message has been edited by ME AGAIN (edited 06-10-2001).]

[adam]

Thanks for the links. I'll check both of those out.

Don,

Thanks for the comments. I more or less have (or will have shortly) the college credit needed to apply with any of the local sheriff departments (most around here require 48 units for some reason). Either way I plan on completing my AS/AA degree by the time I'm 21. I have a good job (web development) as it is and want to supplement it with as much LE experience as possible until I become eligible for a full time gig. I'm taking 832 so that I can work as a Beach Ranger or a CSO next summer. The PC832 course is actually a 6-week CSO Academy including PC832 and CSO fundamentals. The reserve course is a modular format so it will count towards the academy. The closets academy is 45min away so being able to complete a potion of it closer and for cheap through my college is a major benefit.

At this point I'm trying to get to know local agencies so that I can make an education decision of whom to work for when the time comes. I'm also working on other related public safety courses/certificates that will look good on my resume. Any other recommendations for things I can do to further my eligibility and make me stand out in the hiring process would be great!

[adam]

Originally posted by ME AGAIN:
[B]The following two courses are currently available online:
-- community policing
-- police ethics
(these 2 courses are non-college credit and are FREE due to a Federal grant)
B]

Where did you find those courses listed? I looked under Criminal Justice but all I could find were "Constitutional Law and Rules of Evidence" and "Introduction to Criminal Justice".

Thanks!

[me again]

The name of the ethics class is:

-- "Ethical Issues and Decision-Making in Law Enforcement," from St. Petersburg Junior College's Regional Community Policing Institute.

I don't remember the exact title of the community policing class. I also don't know if you have to be in law enforcement to enroll in these non-credit, online courses.

I'm not sure who to contact to enroll in one of these online courses (I enrolled by faxing in an application form that I found at my department). I suggest starting with the following person:

Robin Linde
Regional Community Policing Institute
(727)341-4546
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by ME AGAIN (edited 06-10-2001).]

[Sparky]

Yes, the on-line courses are handy as they DO have the Internet on computers now!

One of the only "distance education" sources that I feel I could personally recomend is:
www.aiasinc.com

Very well respected in the industry with a proven track record. I have always wanted to take the course, but have never had the money and have not been able to get anyone else to pay.

Just thought I'd pass it on.

------------------
-Sparky

[timtejas1]

This is the link to the Regional Community Policing Institure mentioned earlier.
http://cop.spjc.cc.fl.us/cop/index.htm

[adam]

Thanks for the additional links. Sparky, you must watch the Simpsons

I found a couple on-line courses including a cyber-crimes course from http://www.accusa.com. I don't know anything about these people. But the course is fairly expensive. Anybody ever hear of them? I think a cyber-crimes course would be a lot fun and great experience. I'm already a computer professional so applying my knowledge to law enforcement would be easy.


[This message has been edited by adam (edited 06-12-2001).]

[unhappycop]

As stated by rule.303, Charles Sturt University has a number of police related courses, which are currently used by the NSW Police Service. I have just completed my Diploma Of Policing (Constable's Developement Program) and my wife is half way through a Bachelor of Policing. Due to our changes in recruitment, the Diploma I completed is no longer available, but at the degree level there is a number of courses which focus on different areas, including general policing, investigations (detectives) and prosecutions. These courses use case law from throughout the world, but obviously focus on the Westminster system (UK, Australia, NZ, etc...) and NSW specifically. Apart from that they focus on worldwide accepted practices in law enforcement relating to CBP and psychology, communicatio etc... A significant amount of US and UK based resources are used, and this is obviously due to the greater population contributing to more research. Given this, the course may assist you wherever you are.

The course is currently in the process of being accepted for lateral entry across Australia and New Zealand.