Police Leadership in the Twenty-First Century
The Education Ladder to Success!
Introduction:
Working in a 21st century complex and diverse society requires modern professionals to
possess a high level of critical thinking skills and specialized competency skills to meet
the daily socio-economic, moral-legal and national-international challenges that extend to
a borderless world. Significant changes to law, procedure, equipment and technology are
occurring at an increasing rapid rate. This, along with fiscal restraint and increased
accountability require that successful police service and industry executives possess
advanced strategic and operational planning skills. In response to these emerging issues
and rapid change, the educational levels of public sector and business leaders have been
increasing. To a great extent these programs have been added in an ad-hoc manner,
responding to perceived demand.
However, just as we need plans to develop twenty-first century organizations, we need
strategies for developing tomorrow’s leaders. The skills needed during the career of a
member of police services vary, and so too will the programs and organizations
delivering them. A partnership of colleges and universities can bring together the skills
and education programs needed to train officers and leaders from the time they enter the
force to the top levels of leadership. We have pulled those together in a more systematic
manner, creating an education and leadership development ladder for Ontario police
forces.
Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (ITAL) along with educational
partners the University of Guelph and the University of Guelph-Humber, have joined
together to support the career development opportunities for police leaders. This is done
by creating educational pathways, supporting each other’s institutions and credentials,
and by sharing a strong desire to streamline the education process to ensure maximum
credit is earned for work experience and other forms of formal and informal education.
the pathway to success ladder works in the following manner:
Stage 1: Police College Training
The first stage of the career of a member of police services often begins in Ontario’s
police colleges. This training is enhanced with later courses and programs to increase
technical skills.
Stage 2: Police Foundations Leadership Diploma
The education ladder begins with Humber ITAL’s Police Foundations Leadership
Diploma, a 30 credit college program which builds on the previous training in police
colleges. The goal of this program is to enhance technical and leadership skills for
members of police services early in their careers.
Entry requirements - A sworn civilian or a uniform member of a police/justice agency;
with a minimum of three years experience who has completed the Ontario Police College
training/RCMP training/Military College and have worked to gain some community
experience
Advanced standing - Humber ITAL will offer qualified applicants advanced standing on
the basis of prior learning and education.
Transition to the next step - Completion of this program offered by Humber ITAL will
allow direct entry into the BAA Justice Degree Program at the University of GuelphHumber. Advanced standing on the basis of prior learning and education is available.
Stage 3: Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree
The BAA program is designed for the unique learning needs of the Canadian law
enforcement practitioner. Advanced standing on the basis of prior learning and education
is available. The Justice Studies BAA program is open to all law enforcement
practitioners who are sworn peace officers with a minimum of three years related
experience
Advanced standing: If a student can show proof of graduation from a Police Foundations
or Law and Security Administration Diploma from a recognized accredited College,
applicants can receive (5) university credits. As well, applicants can receive an additional
(4) university credits for their prior learning acquired on and off the job. Applicants who
receive the maximum advanced standing can complete a BAA degree in two years of
part-time study.
Transition to next step - The completion of this program offered at the University of
Guelph-Humber will allow entry into a Masters in Leadership Program offered by
Guelph University, which if demand allows, can also be delivered at the University of
Guelph-Humber.
Stage 4: MA (Leadership)
The MA (Leadership) is designed for middle and senior managers. The University of
Guelph’s intensive On-Line MA (Leadership) program allows participants to enhance
their leadership potential without interrupting their careers. Brief residential components
in Guelph or Toronto enhance the innovative and interactive online learning environment.
This program offers a broad multidisciplinary approach to a diversified group of leaders
from both public and private sector organizations. The diverse backgrounds of
participants enhance the “applied collaborative learning” approach. MA (Leadership)
participants confront leadership in a variety of contexts based on their past leadership
experiences.
The program is a two year program comprised of two independent segments. The first
year is a course work program. On completing year 1 the candidate is awarded a
Graduate Diploma in Leadership. The candidate may exit at this point or may
automatically proceed to the second year which includes courses and a research project.
On completing the second year the candidate is awarded an MA (Leadership).
Candidates may proceed to a PhD program at a later date. The University of Guelph will
be developing a PhD in Leadership at a later date.
The nature of the program precludes advanced standing options for MA candidates. It is
important for candidates to participate in the entire program. Students may be eligible for
admission into the program if they have either of the following qualifications:
• A four-year Honours undergraduate degree from a “recognized university” with a minimum
average of “B-” (70-72%) during the last four semesters or two academic years of the program.
Work Experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant “leadership” work experience.
OR
• General degree, diploma and/or an acceptable professional designation.
Work Experience: At least seven years of work experience showing progressive
increases in leadership responsibility.
Program benefits:
The proposed ladder provides officers and administrators with a clear roadmap for
developing leadership potential among member of police services in Ontario police
forces. The three educational partners bring the educational skills needed for all stages of
leadership development. Incorporating mechanisms to obtain significant input from the
policing community and industry experts will ensure an up-to date, relevant quality
education.
Specific benefits include:
 Dedicated spaces reserved in the different educational programs
 Automatic entry into the next level on completing the entry requirements
 Flexible schedules to accommodate varying work schedules;
 Quality, theoretical and experience based course curriculum;
 Courses are structured in a hybrid format combining in class lectures on selected
weekends and distance education that is a stark departure from traditional full-time
study methods and delivery;
 Students become life-long learners;
 Students will form new associations and networks with diverse justice and industry
organizations
 Students will benefit from the vast experience of highly trained educators with
policing/justice background/industry/academic expertise
 Organizations will have an opportunity to enhance their most valuable asset, “human
capital” to increase overall performance and efficiencies
 Justice agencies can realize and promote “leadership and the benefits of value-drivenorganizations”
CONCLUSION
Humber ITAL and all its partners’ wishes to assist both individuals and agencies realize
their goals by providing a quality education as the most effective and efficient way to
respond to the challenges of the 21st century. Finally, the educational partners will ensure
that both individuals and organizations leave a positive legacy in society by upgrading
their position, power and knowledge base.