Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement Academy Program Code 305041

Employment Potential

A graduate of the program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:

Police Officer: performs general traffic and law enforcement duties at the municipal level.

Deputy Sheriff: performs general traffic and law enforcement duties, jailer and telecommunications responsibilities at the county level.

DNR Officer: enforces fish, game, forest and environmental laws at the state level.

State Trooper: performs traffic and law enforcement duties at the state level.

Military Law Enforcement Officer: performs criminal investigations, is responsible for traffic assignments, patrol and general law enforcement duties in any branch of the military service at installations, forts and bases.

Private Investigator: conducts criminal and non-criminal investigations for private business and industry.

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find other opportunities for employment.

. Police Administrator
. Chief Deputy
. State Agent
. Federal Agent

Note

. Online application for this program is not available. For program details and application materials, visit: www.nwtc.edu/publicsafety
. Regardless of prior college credit, all courses must be completed to obtain certifiability with the Law Enforcement Standards Board of the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
. This program does not qualify for financial aid as it does not last an entire semester. Veterans’ Benefits may be used to cover material and program fees. Contact Enrollment Services for details. A payment plan is also available.
. The credits earned through successful completion of this program do not count toward the 60-credit requirement imposed by Wisconsin Administrative Code Section LES 2.01(1)(e) for employed officers. However, academy credits may be applied toward an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice to partially satisfy the college credit requirement.

Program Outcomes

. Will be certifiable as a law enforcement officer in the state of Wisconsin.

Requirements for Program Entry

. Completed application.
. An Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, 60 college credits at an associate's degree level or higher, or current employment with a sponsoring law enforcement agency.
. Self-sponsored applicants must complete an NWTC application, form DJ-LE-327 (with essays completed), physician's assessment and have official high school and college transcript(s) sent to the NWTC Public Safety Office. These candidates must also submit to a background check (at applicant’s expense), physical fitness assessment and personal interview. Once accepted, these individuals must also complete a drug screen at their own expense.
. Currently employed officers must complete the NWTC application and provide contact information for their agency training officer who will be required to submit a copy of the officer’s DJ-LE-303 form and complete additional paperwork. For further details on the application process for employed officers, contact the NWTC Public Safety Department at (920) 491-2627.

Curriculum

Upon graduation, a student will have completed 17 credits and will be certifiable as a law enforcement officer in the state of Wisconsin.

FIRST SEMESTER

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

These courses provide an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding required for employment in this field.

30-504-337 POLICING IN AMERICA... students learn rules and procedures of Academy; various elements of Criminal Justice System and the Role of Law Enforcement. Students explore belief systems, social pressures, moral problems, decision making.

30-504-338 LEGAL CONTEXT...students will learn the structure of Criminal Justice System including criminal procedure, arrest, use of force, search, and seizure, the limits on law enforcement activity, classification and elements of crimes.

30-504-339 TACTICAL SKILLS...students will learn the basis for and the limits to use of force by Wisconsin officers. The specific techniques for intervention will range from empty hands to use of firearms.

30-504-340 RELATIONAL SKILLS... students write law enforcement reports, role of communication while developing specific skills/strategies for handling emotionally disturbed people, legal basis for emergency placements, testifying in court, community policing strategies.

30-504-341 PATROL PROCEDURES... students study Wisconsin traffic laws & how to enforce. Investigation of traffic crashes, crash scene management. Emergency vehicle operation, pursuit guidelines, conducting legal basis vehicle contacts. Arrest procedures, OWI, Emergency Medical Services.

30-504-342 INVESTIGATIONS ...students learn techniques, procedures for interviewing and interrogating. Learn to recognize and handle evidence, the correct law enforcement response to a victim of crime, statutory elements and procedures for sensitive crimes.

30-504-343 OMVWI/SFST ...students will learn to recognize and interpret evidence of OMVWI violation, administer and interpret standardized field sobriety tests, make appropriate enforcement decisions, prepare arrest reports and complete associated paperwork.

30-504-345 POLICE-FIT TO SERVE ... the course will provide an introduction to nutrition and eating correctly for maximum value. Also, an introduction to fitness for a criminal justice professional.

30-504-346 SCENARIO EVALUATION ...uses scenarios developed by the WI DOJ to evaluate six core abilities critical to success in law enforcement: decision making; tactical skills; emergency management; investigative skills; written and interpersonal communication.