Law Enforcement Professional

Considering a career in law enforcement? Law enforcement officials conduct fascinating and difficult work across all American cities from street to street. To give professionals the most in-depth look at law enforcement possible, this program examines the history, structure, actions and strategies of American police. Students will explore a number of interesting topics including the structure and purpose of federal, state and local police forces, their inner-workings and interconnectivity as well as the various ways each individual force plays a role in the collective effort to are on the front lines of everyday police functions, criminal accountability and the relationship between law enforcement and the community that maintains public order.

Law Enforcement Professionals operate every day inside an ever-evolving world of crime and violence. Facing an array of issues from localized criminal activity to emergency and public health issues that constitute a national or international threat can come up at a moment’s notice, Law Enforcement Professionals are on the front lines of defense for our communities. To this end, all professionals involved in law enforcement from must have an array of applicable skills from combating and preventing crime in the first place, to solving crimes through strategic interviewing and interrogation of involved individuals and proper, legal criminal procedures necessary for the success of the legal system as well.

Recognizing the need for skilled professionals that understand the difficult and highly-nuanced issues authorities face every day, the Law Enforcement program to take learners through the ins and outs of day-to-day police activity, such as criminal investigation, documenting a crime scene, note taking, photographing, writing effective reports, searches, and identifying and arresting suspends. Learners who complete this program will understand various police interviewing and interrogation techniques alongside investigation practices necessary to prevent a variety of crimes and mitigate potential effects. Moreover, this career track ensures learners come away from the program with a firm understanding of the criminal justice system and the ethical considerations that ensure its proper function every day.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Define terms related to law enforcement
• Examine the organization of law enforcement
• Examine the roles, functions, and styles of policing
• Describe the impact that history has had on the current law enforcement system
• Analyze the culture, personality, and stress involved with becoming a police officer.
• Examine patrol operations and investigations.
• Analyze unrepresented groups in policing
• Appraise the use of technology in policing
• Identify how to document a crime scene
• Describe the personal qualities that affect the interview process
• Research how to effectively handle a crime scene and what to do during this process
• Analyze the correct way to identify and arrest suspects
• Describe how to investigate violent crimes, such as assault, domestic violence, and robbery
• Explain how to investigate crimes against property, such as burglary, fraud, motor vehicle theft, and arson
• Identify the constitutional and legal considerations that must be made during a criminal interrogation
• Describe other aspects of the criminal process, such as computer crime, criminal gangs, terrorism, and drug-related crime
• Explain how to prepare and present cases in court

Certification Opportunities

Law Enforcement Professional is not a law enforcement officer. Law enforcement officers are licensed and regulated at the state level. Requirements to become a law enforcement officer vary by state, so check your state’s Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

This course does not fulfill the requirements to become a sworn law enforcement officer. Instead, it is designed to provide foundational knowledge of the criminal justice system, policing practices, ethics, and community engagement. These skills may support future study or employment in related public safety or administrative roles.

This course prepares learners to take the following exam for a certification which can assist in gaining an entry-level position.

National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Law Enforcement (CJ-LEP)