CHOOSING A PATH IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
By Maajiitaaziibiikwe Mary Sam
Choosing a career as a Conservation Officer or Peace Officer helps to build a sense of pride, purpose and accomplishment at having a positive impact on community. As mental health and addiction issues rise, our communities face new challenges, and those working in the field of law enforcement are charged with staying current in their training and development.
Minnesota Peace Officer/Criminal Justice Programs across the state provide hands-on learning; both inside and outside of the classrooms.
Community college programs offer a variety of career options, preparing graduates as public servants with the duty to serve and protect communities from harm and respecting the constitutional rights of all citizens. Central Lakes College in Brainerd has a number of Native students from Mille Lacs and Leech Lake enrolled in their programs. Community college programs offer the following degrees and certificates:
CONSERVATION OFFICERS
Conservation Officers work with fish and wildlife agencies, state parks, tribal governments and trails, water, wetlands, and educational programs. Officers mode of transportation can vary, from trucks, 4-by-4 patrols, snowmobiles, ATVs and various watercrafts. Students earning a degree as a Conservation Officer need to demonstrate the following skills:
• Field identification of regionally important mammals, birds and fish and their communities;
• Use a broad range of technological tools to research, document, map, measure, record and analyze data relevant to natural resources;
• Navigate and safely function in an outdoor workplace;
• Knowledge of structure, process and relationships between peace officers, the courts and correctional systems;
• Process crime scenes from preliminary stage through disposition;
• Recognize diversity and cultural differences as a mature, ethical, compassionate, and adaptable citizen while meeting the needs of clients and communities;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of the legislative, judicial and executive branches and how they relate to criminal law;
• Demonstrate strong communication skills–both oral and written. Understand leadership challenges and contributions in diverse communities that have experienced racial oppression as it intersects with gender, class, sexuality, disability, and other social identities.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE A.A.S.
Criminal Justice A.A.S. Degree Program is part of the Professional Peace Officer Education Program requirement for the Minnesota Peace Officer licensing standard. Students will get a first-hand look into the current industry technologies, methods, and peace officer practices. A fleet of new, state-of-the-art squad cars gives students a driver’s seat view into the career field of a Minnesota peace officer. Because of a close partnership with area peace officer agencies and the college, students have a wide selection of choices for internships. Graduates will be able to:
• Understand the structure, process, and relationships between Minnesota peace officers and the correctional system;
• Apply tactical skills, such as weapon safety, defense and arrest tactics, vehicle operation, crisis management, and use of force options;
• Process crime scenes from preliminary stage through disposition;
• Recognize diversity and cultural differences as a mature, ethical, compassionate, and adaptable citizen while meeting the needs of clients and communities;
• Interpret and apply theory, law, policy, and practice as related to juvenile delinquency and deviant behavior;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches and how they relate to criminal law;
• Apply knowledge of criminal law, constitutional law, and Minnesota traffic laws;
• Demonstrate strong communication skills — both oral and written — along with understanding leadership challenges and contributions in various communities that have experienced racial oppression as it intersects with gender, class, sexuality, disability, and other social identities.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE CERTIFICATE (ADVANCED)
Criminal Justice Certificate (Advanced). A criminal justice degree is part of the Professional Peace Officer Education Program requirement for Minnesota Peace Officer licensing standards. All course work is certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and meets the Board’s learning objectives. Career titles may include: Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Corrections Officer, Parole Officer, Probation Officer.
This certificate program is available to students who have completed degree requirements (either two-year, four-year, or graduate) from a regionally accredited college or university and are seeking a professional peace officer’s license. The Criminal Justice Certificate is an accelerated degree that you can complete in one year. You’ll be set on a law enforcement track that will lead you to success on the POST exam. All licensing courses can be completed in less than one academic year, which allows students to enter skills and then take the state licensing exam. Graduates will be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of structure, process, and relationships between law enforcement, the courts, and correctional systems;
• Process crime scenes from preliminary stage through disposition;
• Function in a multicultural society as a mature, adaptable citizen, while meeting the needs and challenges of clients and communities;
• Interpret and apply theory, law, policy, and practice as it relates to juvenile delinquency and deviant behavior;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches and how they relate to criminal law;
• Apply knowledge of criminal law, constitutional law, and Minnesota traffic code;
• Demonstrate strong and effective written and oral communication skills;
• Understand the importance of ethics and ethical behavior in law enforcement.
MINNESOTA PEACE OFFICER SKILLS PROGRAM
Peace officer professionals respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, perform traffic enforcement to include traffic crash response and investigation, and investigate crimes and enforce state and federal statutes.
This unique program allows students to get an insider’s look into the career of a peace officer. CLC students get in the driver’s seat of new, state-of-the-art squad cars that come with the same software that officers use on the streets today. In this eight-week program, you’ll be trained in firearms, defense tactics, using a Taser, chemical aerosol, radar, and using LIDAR. After earning your Minnesota Peace Officer Skills Certificate, along with a Criminal Justice A.A.S. Degree, Criminal Justice Certificate, or Conservation Officer Preparation A.A.S. Degree, you’ll be ready to take the peace officer licensing exam.
SKILLS ADMISSIONS
Students must pass a background check prior to being officially admitted into the program. This background check will be completed during the admissions process.
Students must also complete the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) with a psychologist approved by the Program Coordinator during the admissions process.
Students must possess a valid driver’s license.
For more information on the Central Lakes College Law Enforcement Program, go to https://www.clcMinnesota.edu/ law-enforcement-careers/.
