Law Enforcement (AAS)
Associate of Applied Science
Career-Technical Program
Interest Areas:
- Business Admin. and Management
- Soc. Sciences and Human Srvs.
The term "police" has been defined as a governmental entity, whether city, county, state, or national that is relied upon to maintain order, keep the peace, detect and prevent crime, respond to and provide emergency services, and enforce criminal law. The North Idaho College (NIC) Law Enforcement program provides professionalism through training to newly hired officers of law enforcement agencies and students seeking employment in law enforcement. The Basic Patrol Academy is designed in a police academy format, accredited by the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) Council. The academy meets four days per week, approximately eight hours per day for eighteen weeks. Approximately 45 local law enforcement experts teach more than 60 law enforcement topics, sharing a wide array of experience and knowledge with students in the classroom, in the mat room, in the field skills training, and through scenario-based training. North Idaho College offers three levels of certification in Law Enforcement from which the student may choose: the Basic Technical Certificate, which is awarded upon completion of the Basic Patrol Academy, the Intermediate Technical Certificate, or the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree. Please see the specific program requirements for each certificate or the AAS degree. To successfully complete the Basic Patrol Academy, students will be required to pass all P.O.S.T. requirements for physical fitness, marksmanship, and P.O.S.T. written, field skills, and certification tests. Upon successful completion of the Basic Patrol Academy, students are eligible to take the P.O.S.T. Challenge Exam for Peace Officer Certification in Idaho. The North Idaho College Basic Patrol Academy is accredited by the Idaho Peace Officer standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.). Although an open admissions program, there are several admission requirements, which include an oral interview, entrance assessment, background check (to include fingerprint submittal, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation), and medical, vision, and hearing examinations. Fees for these tests are the student's responsibility. In addition to the NIC Basic Patrol Academy application, P.O.S.T. also requires an application which is submitted online for P.O.S.T. approval prior to attending the POST academy. Upon acceptance into the Basic Patrol Academy, students will be required to purchase and wear NIC Basic Patrol Academy and physical fitness uniforms while in class. Certified Law Enforcement Professionals: Students who successfully complete the Basic Patrol Academy and provide proof of completion to the Registrar's Office will have the LAWE courses waived as part of the program requirements for the Intermediate Technical Certificate and/or Associate of Applied Science degrees. College credit for these courses will not be awarded.
Contact Information:
Career & Technical Professional Programs Division
Hedlund Building, Room 101
Phone: (208) 769-3226
Summer/Fall POST Academy
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CJ-103 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| POLS-101 | American National Government | 3 |
| PSYC-101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| ENGL-101 or ENGL-101P |
Writing and Rhetoric I or Writing and Rhetoric I |
3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COMM-101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| ENGL-202 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| PE-288 | First Aid | 3 |
| POLS-275 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| A.A.S. Institutionally Designated | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| PHIL-103 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| GEM 3 - A.A.S. Mathematical Ways of Knowing | 3-5 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Stress Management | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Social Problems | ||
| Marriage and Family | ||
| Race and Ethnic Relations | ||
| Death and Dying: A Sociocultural, Historical, and Biological Perspective | ||
| Credits | 12-14 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| Summer | ||
| LAWE-159 | Introduction to POST and Law | 1 |
| Credits | 1 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAWE-160 | Basic Police Law and Prof Orientation II | 6 |
| LAWE-162 | Police Procedures and Investigations | 8 |
| LAWE-163 | Enforcement and Field Skills for Patrol Officers | 7 |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 61-63 | |
Spring/Summer POST Academy
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CJ-103 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| POLS-101 | American National Government | 3 |
| PSYC-101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| ENGL-101 or ENGL-101P |
Writing and Rhetoric I or Writing and Rhetoric I |
3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COMM-101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| ENGL-202 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| PE-288 | First Aid | 3 |
| POLS-275 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| A.A.S. Institutionally Designated | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| PHIL-103 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| GEM 3 - A.A.S. Mathematical Ways of Knowing | 3-5 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Stress Management | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Social Problems | ||
| Marriage and Family | ||
| Race and Ethnic Relations | ||
| Death and Dying: A Sociocultural, Historical, and Biological Perspective | ||
| Credits | 12-14 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| Spring | ||
| LAWE-161 | Basic Police Law and Prof Orientation I | 7 |
| LAWE-162 | Police Procedures and Investigations | 8 |
| LAWE-166 | Enforcement/Field Skills Patrol Off II | 6 |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| Summer | ||
| LAWE-167 | Arrest Control and POST Challenge | 1 |
| Credits | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 61-63 | |
Course Key
- GEM
- AAS Institutionally Designated
-
- Gateway
-
- Milestone
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students should be able to:
- Identify and apply the laws of the criminal justice system in a fair and impartial manner.
- Communicate effectively in law enforcement settings.
- Apply critical thinking and technical skills involving law enforcement and the community they serve.
- Demonstrate proficiency in applying law enforcement skills through practical application.
- Exhibit personal accountability and professionalism.
- Identify and apply investigative skills and evidence handling in a proficient manner.
- Through written and physical skills exams, demonstrate knowledge in core competencies and defensive and control skills as mandated by P.O.S.T for entry-level Idaho peace officers.
- Through scenario testing, monitored by experienced police officers, demonstrate proficiency in investigative skills, human relations skills and core competencies as mandated by P.O.S.T for entry-level Idaho peace officers.
- Communicate effectively, in both written and oral forms, to varied audiences to serve diverse purposes as part of their studies at NIC and beyond.
- Think quantitatively, evaluate data, and draw conclusions using sound mathematical principles and practices.
- Use social science reasoning to inquire, critically consume relevant information, and develop insights on individual, social, community, world problems and questions.
In addition to the program outcomes, students will meet the following North Idaho College General Education (GEM) Requirements: Written and Oral Communication; Mathematical Ways of Knowing; Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing; and an additional program-designated or selected course from any of the GEM requirements.