Modern Policing

The Associate Degree in Modern Policing prepares students for employment within a law enforcement agency as a Peace Officer. Students will learn principles, techniques, and core competencies of state officials/ law enforcement officers, police officers. Job duties include, report writing, patrol, traffic, police operations, professional ethics, public service responsibilities, and more.

This degree is in accordance with AB 89, Jones-Sawyer. Peace officers: minimum qualifications. The existing law requires the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to establish a certification program for specified peace officers, including officers of the Department of the California Highway Patrol. The existing law requires the commission to establish basic, intermediate, advanced, supervisory, management, and executive certificates for the purpose of fostering the education and experience necessary to perform general police service duties. Existing law requires certificates to be awarded on the basis of a combination of training, education, experience, and other prerequisites, as determined by the commission. The completion time is two years.

Each course in the major must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Note that the program description below outlines only how students fulfill the major requirement for an associate degree. The CCSF associate degree has several other components, including general education (GE) requirements. Please meet with a counselor and refer to the Associate Degree Requirements section of the CCSF Catalog for complete information. Generally, the minimum time for completion of an AA or AS degree is four semesters, depending on student preparation and the number of units completed per semester.

50 students annually

Associate in Science in Administration of Justice. This course of study prepares students for employment within a wide variety of public and private criminal justice careers.  Students will be able to describe the individual functions and components of the modern criminal justice system; use introductory concepts of legal research as it relates to discussing the content of statutory and case law; and explain the underlying cause of antisocial and criminal behavior. This program is appropriate for students considering law school or careers in law enforcement.

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

Describe the history, structure, and functions of the main components of the American criminal justice system.

Analyze principles and applications of California and Constitutional law, particularly the requirements adhered to by law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

Produce written communications that meet the professional standards of the criminal justice system.

Analyze contemporary social problems and issues associated with the criminal justice system.

Implement investigative and forensic skills, techniques, and procedures in a variety of practical settings.

Program goals and objectives

Associate in Science in Administration of Justice. This course of study prepares students for employment within a wide variety of public and private criminal justice careers.  Students will be able to describe the individual functions and components of the modern criminal justice system; use introductory concepts of legal research as it relates to discussing the content of statutory and case law; and explain the underlying cause of antisocial and criminal behavior. This program is appropriate for students considering law school or careers in law enforcement.

Catalog Description

The Associate Degree in Modern Policing prepares students for employment within a law enforcement agency as a Peace Officer. Students will learn principles, techniques, and core competencies of state officials/ law enforcement officers, police officers. Job duties include, report writing, patrol, traffic, police operations, professional ethics, public service responsibilities, and more.

This degree is in accordance with AB 89, Jones-Sawyer. Peace officers: minimum qualifications. The existing law requires the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to establish a certification program for specified peace officers, including officers of the Department of the California Highway Patrol. The existing law requires the commission to establish basic, intermediate, advanced, supervisory, management, and executive certificates for the purpose of fostering the education and experience necessary to perform general police service duties. Existing law requires certificates to be awarded on the basis of a combination of training, education, experience, and other prerequisites, as determined by the commission. The completion time is two years.

Each course in the major must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Note that the program description below outlines only how students fulfill the major requirement for an associate degree. The CCSF associate degree has several other components, including general education (GE) requirements. Please meet with a counselor and refer to the Associate Degree Requirements section of the CCSF Catalog for complete information. Generally, the minimum time for completion of an AA or AS degree is four semesters, depending on student preparation and the number of units completed per semester.

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

Describe the history, structure, and functions of the main components of the American criminal justice system.

Analyze principles and applications of California and Constitutional law, particularly the requirements adhered to by law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

Produce written communications that meet the professional standards of the criminal justice system.

Analyze contemporary social problems and issues associated with the criminal justice system.

Implement investigative and forensic skills, techniques, and procedures in a variety of practical settings.

Y1, S1:   15 units

Y1, S2:   16 units

Y2, S1:   15 units

Y2, S2:   15 units

Total: 61 units

This program clearly lives within Administration of Justice, but it is interdisciplinary and draws from various departments for social sciences, arts, behavioral sciences, and communications.

Most community colleges in the region are in the process of developing this new program. There is no conflict with any of these programs.