Learn specific information about Peace Officer A.A.S. degree program outcomes, accreditation, transfer opportunities, and more.
The Peace Officer Associate of Applied Science degree program prepares students for careers with city, state, federal, private, and other criminal justice agencies. While the program is designed primarily for peace officer careers, many students choose courses that lead to careers in other areas of the Criminal Justice system, such as public safety communications, corrections, and probation work. The program provides pre-employment education for students who want to enter the field of criminal justice at the end of two years with an Associate in Applied Science degree. The Peace Officer program is certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). After completing the skills training (also offered on the Northland campus) and completing a degree, students are eligible to take the state POST exam.
Accreditation
Northland Community & Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Peace Officer program is certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
Program Learner Outcomes
- Student will describe the various municipal, county, state and federal peace officer agencies, and the modern principles of police organization and administration that govern them.
- Student will demonstrate an understanding of theory, law, policy, and practice as it relates to juvenile delinquency and deviant behavior.
- Student will conduct criminal investigations from the preliminary stage through disposition utilizing proper interview and interrogation techniques according to industry standards.
- Student will demonstrate technical skills in communication, observation, investigation, evaluation, and basic safety assistance in various peace officer situations.
- Student will demonstrate tactical skills, weapon safety, defensive and arrest tactics, vehicle operation, crisis management and force options in various peace officer scenarios.
- Student will write accurate and complete police reports using appropriate grammar, punctuation, and spelling according to industry standards.
- Student will demonstrate an understanding of the principles, authority and Constitutional limitations and laws of the federal and state governments which apply to arrest, search and seizure.
- Student will identify cultural competency, antiracist, and cultural responsiveness.