Program Overview

Police Foundations (LAW)

Program Overview

Prepare for an exciting career in law enforcement and crime prevention. In this two-year diploma program, you will gain a comprehensive education combining professional knowledge with practical skills development. This program prepares you for a range of careers in public safety, policing, investigations, security and enforcement services in public and private organizations, and corrections.

Program Details

• Start Dates: January, September
• Campus: King, Online
• Delivery: Online, Hybrid
• Duration: 4 Semesters (Fall start - 24 months, Winter start - 16 months)
• Credential: Ontario College Diploma
• School: School of Public Safety

About the Program

Seneca’s Police Foundations program uses hybrid and online delivery across our curriculum to deliver innovative and flexible learning focused on student needs. For the majority of courses, students can choose between online and in-class options to decide a delivery mode that works best for students and their timetables, while also concentrating on the applied and professional skills needed for successful careers in law enforcement and community safety.

Pathway to a Degree

Graduates of the Police Foundations program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible for advanced entry into semester four of Seneca’s Honours Bachelor of Crime and Intelligence Analysis. This provides an opportunity for students to enter and complete the degree within two years (or five semesters and a work term), after completion of the two-year diploma.

Police Selection

Applicants are advised that following graduation from Police Foundations, the selection process from Police Services in Ontario includes:

• Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada
• Written aptitude and communications tests
• Criminal records check
• Physical fitness testing
• Vision, hearing, and medical tests

Program Availability

• Canadian Applicants
• International Applicants

Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

Program and Course Delivery

This program is offered online and is also available in Seneca's hybrid delivery format for students at King Campus. With hybrid delivery, some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students choosing hybrid delivery at King Campus will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements.

Your Career

When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:

• Police services and law enforcement
• Civilian positions in police and investigative services
• Municipal enforcement services
• Transit and special constable positions
• Private and corporate security
• Public safety
• Correctional services

After successful completion of Security & Crime Prevention, you can apply for a training completion number. It will make you eligible to be tested, at your own expense, for the provincially regulated licence to be a security professional.

The Seneca Polytechnic Difference

This is where university meets college. Where theory meets practice. Where ambition meets flexibility.

Degree Pathways

Every Seneca diploma has a degree pathway. You have the opportunity to continue your studies and complete a degree at Seneca or a partner institution.

Student Life

Join a diverse and welcoming community of peers and supporters, offering you a blend of academic excellence and vibrant urban life.

Career Support

Seneca Works offers students and graduates lifelong access to an exclusive job board, career coaching, networking, and more.

Police Training Centre

You will gain hands-on, practical experience in our Police Fitness Training Centre, preparing you for your in-demand career.

What Our Graduates Say

• Karli Kerr
  • Graduate, Police Foundations
  • “I chose to study at Seneca because I appreciated the breadth of its curriculum. I felt that the comprehensive education and combination of professional knowledge with practical skills would really prepare me for a career in law enforcement. My experience at Seneca was unforgettable. Through the program, I gained knowledge and skills that are crucial for my field. Something else that I valued about Seneca was its diversity. During my time as a student, I was exposed to new cultures, experiences, and friendships that may not have been possible otherwise.”
• Melissa Stewart
  • Graduate, Advanced Investigations & Enforcement and Police Foundations
  • “Seneca provides a vast array of courses that prepare you for all avenues in law enforcement and other public safety and security roles. Not only does Seneca have specialty programs like Advanced Investigations & Enforcement to take after Police Foundations, they also provide you the opportunity to bridge over to universities. The relationships you build at Seneca are lasting and the teaching staff is amazing! I cannot thank Seneca enough for getting me to where I am today.”
• Winston Stewart
  • Graduate, Police Foundations and Premier’s Award Nominee
  • “Speaking to Seneca’s professors and getting introduced to their industry contacts opened a lot of doors for me.”
• Joanna Styrczula
  • Graduate, Police Foundations
  • "Coming to Canada from Poland, I learned that new career opportunities would be available to me. I had always desired to find a career in policing, so I enrolled in the Law Enforcement program at Seneca. This program not only gave me applied experience and knowledge of the field but quickly launched me into a career in corrections. I then achieved my dream of becoming a police officer and relate much of my success to the value of my education, I have continued my career with Peel Regional Police and proudly hope to elevate the field as a Co-chair of Serving with Pride."
• Matt Suppa
  • Graduate, Police Foundations
  • "I will never forget my time as a student at Seneca. The educative experience is like no other and the wealth of knowledge that is provided by the instructors is exceptional. Seneca has truly paved a path for me in both my career aspirations and my personal goals. My educative experience at Seneca has greatly prepared me for a career as a police officer."
• Aeishia Taylor
  • Graduate, Honours Bachelor of Crime & Intelligence Analysis and Police Foundations
  • “My professors encouraged me to be motivated, engaged and confident about my career path. I’m now working at the Ministry of the Attorney General, Ontario Court of Justice, as a court and client registrar. I started there as an intern during my program’s work term, and I’ve been there since. My program totally prepared me for my career—there’s no better educational institution that will offer what Seneca has.”
• Shannon Toomey
  • Graduate, Advanced Investigations & Enforcement and Police Foundations
  • “The education and experience I received while attending Seneca provided me with a wealth of opportunity. The Police Foundations and Advanced Investigations & Enforcement programs provide an environment that truly allows for theory to be integrated into practice, which creates a strong foundation for success in various fields. The transitional skills I received gave me the confidence to explore different paths in law enforcement, security and emergency management in the public and private sectors. The professors are true subject matter experts in their field and the guidance and advice they provide to students is incredibly valuable and something that I continue to benefit from. I will forever be grateful to the professors who opened the doors for me to pursue my passion and succeed in this field.”