Police Science
Associate of Science Degree
02/25/13
Table of Contents:
Item
Page
Number
Table of Contents
2
Appropriateness To Mission
3-10
Need
11-13
Curriculum Standards
14
Adequate Resources
15
Compliance
15
Page 2 of 15
APPROPRIATENESS TO MISSION
1. Goals and Objectives
The College of the Desert’s Police Science Associate of Science Degree:
Will help prepare current and future law enforcement professionals for the dynamic
challenges of succeeding in the field of law enforcement and the Criminal Justice System.
Will help students develop a sense of the basic requirements for success in the future.
Allows students to complete the Degree program while working part or full-time, with
courses offered during weekend days, and lab and lecture courses of instruction and
manipulative skills training and evaluations weekday evenings.
2. Catalog Description
The Police Science Associate of Science Degree is designed to serve students seeking
either to enter or enhance their careers in the law enforcement profession, as well as
related fields such as corrections, courts, probation, security, and community service.
Students will be exposed to a series of courses within the major intended to develop
social awareness, written and verbal communication skills, cultural sensitivity, concepts
of law, and the physical ability to cope with today’s demanding law enforcement related
careers. Students study the roles and activities of people with regard to maintaining law
and order, providing services, and protecting life and property.
The Police Science Degree is intended to prepare students academically for careers at the
federal, state and local government level as well as in the private sector.
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3. Program Requirements

Required Courses Total: (37Units)
POLICE RESERVE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT (19UNITS)

BPOT-001
Course Number
6121:
Title
# of Units
BPOT-001 BASIC PCE OFCR M-III
7.0
Total ………………………………………………… 7Units/168 Hours
*Successful completion of Module-III is mandatory to advance to Module-II

BPOT-002
Course Number
6133:
Title
# of Units
BPOT-002 BASIC PCE OFCR M-II
12.0
Total ………………………………………………… 12Units/268 Hours
Certificate Total:
19Units
*Successful completion of Module-II is mandatory to advance to Module-I
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
REQUIRED COURSES CONTINUED: (18 UNITS)
 AJ-001 Introduction to Administration of Justice (3units)
 AJ-002 Criminal Law (3units)
 AJ-004 Criminal Procedures (3units)
 AJ-006 Principles of Investigation (3units)
 SP-004 Public Speaking (3units)
 HE-001 Personal & Community Health (3units)

ELECTIVE COURSES: (5 UNITS MINIMUM) * 5 Units from the following:
Social & Behavioral Sciences
 Administration of Justice
o AJ-001 Introduction to Administration of Justice(3units)
o AJ-002 Criminal Law(3units)
o AJ-003 Evidence(3units)
o AJ-004 Criminal Procedures(3units)
o AJ-005A Multicultural Issues(3units)
o AJ-006
Principles of investigation (3units)


Psychology
o PSY-001 General Psychology (3units)
o PSY-003 Developmental Psychology (3units)
o PSY-029 Abnormal Psychology (3units)
Sociology
o SOC-001 Introduction to Sociology (3units)
o SOC-002 Social Problems (3units)
o SOC-003 Fundamentals of Statistics (3units)
o SOC-004 Sociological Analysis & Critical Thinking (3units)
o S0C-014 Minority Groups in America (3units)
Arts, Humanities, & Culture
 Spanish 1,1A,1B,2,2A,2B,3,4
o 001-Elementary Spanish (5units)
o 1A- Elementary Spanish (3units)
o 1B- Elementary Spanish (3units)
o 002- Elementary Spanish (5units)
o 2A- Elementary Spanish (3units)
o 2B- Elementary Spanish (3units)
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o 003- Intermediate Spanish (4units)
o 004- Intermediate Spanish (4units)

American Sign Language 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4
o 001- Elementary American Sign Language (5units)
o 001A- Elementary American Sign Language (3units)
o 002- Elementary American Sign Language (5units)
o 003- Intermediate American Sign Language (4units)
o 004- Intermediate American Sign Language (4units)
Language & Rationality

Speech 1,4,5,7,15
o SP-001 Intro Interpersonal Communications (3units)
o SP-004 Public Speaking (3units)
o SP-005 Group Discussion & Leadership (3units)
o SP-007 Decision Making & Advocacy (3units)
o SP-015 Intercultural Communication (3units)
 WORK EXPERIENCE (Optional, supplements an elective): (3UNITS)
 Successful completion of a POST-Certified Basic Peace Officer Training
Mod-I may allow up to 18.5 units to be credited toward the degree
which can satisfy the 18 units of required courses as well as an
additional 1/2 units of electives)
 Advanced Officer Training: (Courses may be used to satisfy elective
requirements) Prerequisite: (Successful Completion of a POSTCertified Basic Peace Officer Module-I)
o
o
o
o
o

AOT-074 Field Training (Basic) (2.5units)
AOT-075 Field Training (Update) (1.5units)
AOT-077A Interview & Interrogation (Basic) (1.5units)
AOT-078A Interview & Interrogation (Advanced) (2.5units)
AOT-081A Crime Scene Investigation Course (1.5units)
NOTE: A single course, even though listed in more than one area, can only be used
to satisfy one requirement.
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 GENERAL EDUCATION (REQUIRED:18UNITS) *Select 18units
from following:
C1: Natural Sciences: (3 Units Minimum)



Anthropology 1
o Introduction Physical Anthropology (3units)
Geography 1, 1L
o Physical Geography (3units)
o Physical Geography Lab (1unit)
Natural Resources 1, 1L
o Conservation of Natural Resources (3units)
o Lab (1unit)
C2: Social & Behavioral Sciences: (3 Units Minimum)





AJ-001
o Introduction to Administration of Justice (3units)
Mass Communications 1
o Mass Media in American Culture (3units)
Psychology 1,3
o General Psychology (3units)
o Developmental Psychology (3units)
Sociology 1,2
o Introduction to Sociology (3units)
o Social Problems (3units)
Political Science 1,4
o Intro to Government (3units)
o Intro International Relations (3units)
Arts, Humanities, & Culture: (3 Units Minimum)



AJ-005A
o Multicultural Issues(3units)
English 1B
o Composition & Literature (3units)
Spanish 1,1A,1B,2,2A,2B,3,4
o 001-Elementary Spanish (5units)
o 1A- Elementary Spanish (3units)
o 1B- Elementary Spanish (3units)
o 002- Elementary Spanish (5units)
o 2A- Elementary Spanish (3units)
Page 7 of 15

o 2B- Elementary Spanish (3units)
o 003- Intermediate Spanish (4units)
o 004- Intermediate Spanish (4units)
Speech 2
o Oral Interpretation of Literature (3units)
C4: Language & Rationality: (6 Units Minimum)




English 1A (Required)
o Composition (4units)
Computer Information Systems 10
o Computer Literacy (4units)
Sociology 3,4
o Fundamentals of Statistics (3units)
o Sociological Analysis & Critical Thinking (3units)
Speech 1,4,5,7,15
o Intro Interpersonal Communications (3units)
o Public Speaking (3units)
o Group Discussion & Leadership (3units)
o Decision Making & Advocacy (3units)
o Intercultural Communication (3units)
C5: Personal Growth & Development: (3 Units Minimum)





Health Education 1
o Personal & Community Health (3units)
Health Sciences 13
o General Nutrition (3units)
Physical Education 6
o Women’s Self Defense, Health & Fitness (3units)
o Core Conditioning (1unit)
Math 40,10,5
o Intermediate Algebra (3units)
o College Algebra (3units)
o
Trigonometry (5units)
Psychology 3,10, 20,23,33
o Developmental Psychology (3units)
o Psychological Aspects of Marriage & Family (3units)
o Adolescent Psychology (3units)
o Psychology of Women (3units)
o Personal & Social Adjustment (3units)
Page 8 of 15
NOTE: A single course, even though listed in more than one area, can only be used to satisfy
one requirement.
Required Subtotal……………………………………………………………....37 Units
Elective Subtotal…………………………………………………………………5 Units
General Education ………………………………………………………………18 Units
DEGREE TOTAL……………………………………………………………....60 Units
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4. Background and Rationale
The existing Reserve Police Officer Certificate of Achievement allows successful
graduates of the Basic Peace Officer Training-Modules III and II, which consist of 19
units, to satisfy 15 elective units of the existing Administration of Justice Degree
requirements, while recognizing a student’s desire for success.
Approval of the Police Science Associate of Science Degree will allow successful
graduates of Basic Peace Officer Training-Modules III and II to satisfy 19 of 37 degree
core units along with 5 units of electives and 18 units of General Education.
Additionally, up to 18.5 units from any Peace Officer Standards and Training
(POST) certified Module I Course may be used to satisfy up to18 additional core units
and ½ unit of electives. In place of Module I units, satisfactory completion of 18 units of
specified existing law enforcement related courses may be used to satisfy the police
science degree requirements.
The Police Science Associate of Science Degree will allow successful graduates to have a
high rate of success in a short period of time.
The Police Science Associate of Science Degree will allow successful graduates
enhanced eligibility for employment in a variety of law enforcement and related public
safety fields as trainees, reserves, and fulltime employees.
The Police Science Associate of Science Degree will allow successful graduates the
opportunity to enhance their hiring and advancement potential and showcase their
certificate and degree on their transcript and resume when seeking employment,
promotions or other career enhancing opportunities.
The Police Science Associate of Science Degree will provide enhanced opportunity for
continued education in related studies toward a Bachelors Degree and beyond.
Page 10 of 15
NEED
5. Enrollment and Completer Projections
All of the courses in the Certificate and the Associate Degree already exist at College of
the Desert with steady enrollments. We project the Police Science A.S. completion rate to
be approximately 12 students per year. We anticipate that the new Certificate of
Achievement and the Degree will increase these enrollments by offering students a new
career pathway more closely related to the law enforcement profession.
An existing advisory committee is made up of local law enforcement executives
representative of State, County, and City agencies. This close relationship with public
safety industry professionals will enhance opportunities for learning and working in the
law enforcement field.
The Certificate of Achievement and the Degree are intended to represent more than an
accumulation of units. Listing of the Certificate of Achievement and the Degree on a
student transcript symbolizes successful completion of patterns of learning experiences
designed to develop specified knowledge, skills, and abilities that may be oriented to a
career or general education.
6. Place of Program in the Curriculum
College of the Desert currently offers an Associate of Science Degree in Administration
of Justice within the Division of Applied Sciences and Business. The new Police Science
Associate of Science Degree and existing Reserve Police Officer Certificate of
Achievement will also be within the Division of Applied Science and Business and
compliment the Administration of Justice Program. The new degree will offer an
additional pathway for students where they can achieve proficiency in an area of
emphasis and then follow the pathway into industry or continue with their studies to earn
further degrees.
7. N/A
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8. Labor Market Information & Analysis
The Coachella Valley is a desert region about 40 miles east of Riverside, just off
Interstate 10. The area is anchored by Palm Springs. But over the past three decades, the
“new” communities of Indio, Cathedral City, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Rancho
Mirage have each surpassed Palm Springs in population and commerce. Because of its
year-round warm climate, the area has been among the top five regions in the United
States for growth and development and continues rapid growth despite the economic
downturn.
According to the California Employment Development Office of Labor Market Info, for
the Law Enforcement occupation from 2008-2018, there is a 14.7% projected increase in
the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Metropolitan-Imperial Valley areas, which
amounts to 2,080 new jobs in this occupational field with an annual median salary of
$70,785 a year. According to the California Employment Development Office of Labor
Market Info, there are currently 1,990 job openings for Police and Sheriff Patrol Officers
in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Metropolitan areas.
Attachment A: Labor/Job Market Data
9. Employer Survey






A survey was conducted using a questionnaire that was sent out to the local
Chiefs of police/local advisory committee via email. After completion, the
surveys were emailed, faxed, or mailed back.
Seven employers were surveyed with seven responses.
The specific titles of the jobs covered by the survey include Police Reserve
Certificate of Achievement, and Police Science Associates Degree.
100+ new openings are anticipated in the next five years.
The employers believe that the program would qualify students for specific
positions and they would preferentially hire students who have completed the
program.
At the February 11, 2013 Law Enforcement Advisory Meeting, employers were
verbally surveyed again, and members still expressed continued support for the
pursuit of a Police Science Associates Degree.
Attachment B: Employer Survey
Page 12 of 15
10. Explanation of Employer Relationship
An existing advisory committee is made up of local law enforcement executives
representative of State, County, and City agencies. This close relationship with public
safety industry professionals will enhance opportunities for learning and working
in the law enforcement field.
11. List of Members of Advisory Committee
1) Kevin Conner, Chair, Chief of Police, Cathedral City Police Department
2) Al Franz, Chief of Police, Palm Springs Police Department
3) James McElvain, Captain, Ben Clark Training Center, Riverside Sheriff’s Department
4) Greg Peck, Captain, California Highway Patrol, Beaumont Area
5) Leonard Purvis, Chief of Police, Banning Police Department
6) Kate Singer, Chief of Police, Desert Hot Springs Police Department
7) Steve Smith, Chief of Police, Blythe Police Department
8) Stan Sniff, Sheriff, Riverside Sheriff’s Department
Attachment C: List of Advisory Committee
12. Recommendations of Advisory Committee
Advisory committee members have expressed ongoing support of the College of the
Desert- Public Safety Academy establishing both a Reserve Police Officer Certificate of
Achievement and a Police Science Associate of Science Degree. This support was first
expressed as noted in the February 11, 2011 advisory meeting agenda and minutes. A
questionnaire followed in November 2011, in which support was also expressed. Most
recently, the February 2013 advisory meeting further confirmed support of the proposed
Police Science Degree.
Attachment C: Documented recommendations of Advisory Committee
Attachment C: Minutes of Key Meetings
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CURRICULUM STANDARDS
POLICE RESERVE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
# of Units
1. BPOT-001 BASIC PEACE OFFICER M-III
7.0 Units
2.
12.0 Units
BPOT-002 BASIC PEACE OFFICER M-II
(Prerequisite: Successful Completion of BPOT-001)
CERTIFICATE TOTAL:
19.0 Units
POLICE SCIENCE ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE
# of Units
1. Requirements for Police Reserve Certificate of Achievement
19 Units
2. Required Courses
18 Units
3. Electives
5 Units
3. General Education
18 Units
Degree Total:
60 Units
Attachment D: Outlines of Record
Page 14 of 15
ADEQUATE RESOURCES
All of the courses in the proposed Certificate and Degree already exist at College of the
Desert. The increased enrollment expected with the Police Science Associate of Science
Degree and Police Reserve Certificate of Achievement will boost these existing courses.
No new facilities, faculty, equipment, or library resources are needed.
COMPLIANCE
The program is free from conflict with current state or federal statutes and regulations. It
meets the five standards of approval criteria for courses and programs, Appropriateness
of Mission, Need, Quality, Feasibility, and Compliance.
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