Certificate in Police Supervisory Skills

The Certificate in Police Supervisory Skills is offered fully online. It consists of four (4) required courses and a choice of electives. The certificate can help you develop strategies and skills for guiding and supporting your direct reports in the unpredictability of a high-pressure, high-stakes police work context. 

Courses

This certificate consists of four (4) required courses and a choice of electives. Click on each course name for more details and specific learning outcomes:

Required courses:

• OLCD-PALS0010 Coaching Skills for Leaders
• OLCD-PALS0018 Human Resource Management
• OLCD-PALS0030 Interpersonal & Intercultural Communication
• OLCD-PALS0032 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Electives (Choose from the options below to total at least 72 hours):

• OLCD-ADET0010 Train the Trainer (24 hours)
• OLCD-HEAL0018 Foundations of Positive Psychology (15 hours)
• OLCD-IDEA0001 Understanding EDI: An Organization Imperative (20 hours)
• OLCD-IDEA0002 Inclusive Communications in the Workplace (20 hours)
• OLCD-IDEA0003 Optimizing Diverse Team Performance (20 hours)
• OLCD-IDEA0005 Foundations of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace (8 hours)
• OLCD-PALS0033 Introduction to Occupational Stress and Resilience for First Responder Leaders (18 hours)
• OLCD-ADED0037 Workplace Diversity and Inclusion (36 hours)
• OLCD-COWR0010 Mind the Gap: Communicating Accross Generations  (14 hours)
• OLCD-HEAL0010 Neurodiversity and Mental Health in the Workplace and Community (15 hours)
• OLCD-HEAL0011 Mindfulness at Work (15 hours)
• OLCD-HEAL0012 Psychological Health in the Workplace: Managing Stress and Emotions (15 hours)
• OLCD-PALS0017 Critical Thinking, Decision-Making and Problem-Solving for Leaders (36 hours)

Please note: The Certificate requires a passing grade of 70% in each course. See each course for applicable tuition fees and schedule. Some courses fill up quickly, and registration in one course does not guarantee your spot in another. You must register for each course individually to reserve your spot. Courses can be taken in any order.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this certificate, learners will:

• Understand the fundamentals of human resources management and apply those fundamentals to the police context.
• Be able to apply skills and strategies to improve interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.
• Be aware of a range of techniques to negotiate and manage conflict.
• Fill personal knowledge and skill gaps in different aspects of police leadership.
• Be able to discuss and analyze police supervision using a strong theoretical and practical foundation.

Prerequisites

Language Requirement: University-level English language proficiency required in writing, speaking and reading comprehension. It is recommended that students have an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall or a TOEFL-IBT score of 90 overall for this program. Please see the following guidelines from Dalhousie University for more information: English Language Requirements For Undergraduate Admissions - Admissions - Dalhousie University.

Program Delivery

The program is delivered through the flexibility and convenience of Dalhousie's enriched and engaging online learning platform (OpenDal). Course delivery is designed to provide maximum benefit and flexibility through online study.

Who Should Take This Certificate?

The Certificate in Police Supervisory Skills is intended for those who are currently working in policing or law enforcement. It is applicable to individuals pursuing or in a supervisory role in a police organization.

You should take this certificate if:

• You are in a supervisory or managerial capacity in a police organization and role, with responsibility for direct reports.
• You are in a human resources capacity in a police organization.
• You are new to a supervisory position or moving into a supervisory position in your police organization or role.
• You aspire to a supervisory role in your police organization.
• You want to become better at managing people in your complex, rapidly changing police organization.

Recognition of Prior Learning

It may be possible to receive advanced standing in this certificate based on your prior learning from work or life experience. We provide two types of recognition of prior learning:

• Prior Certified Learning: Assessment of prior coursework or training through a provider, that is neither a university or college, for the purpose of advanced standing. Examples of certified learning may include military courses, accredited certificates, workplace training programs, etc.
• Prior Experiential Learning: Assessment of previous work and life learning that may be equivalent to learning outcomes of university courses / programs, for the purpose of advanced standing. Relevant prior learning may come from work or volunteer experience, participation on committees or boards, independent study, etc.

To discuss how to use your prior learning to apply for advanced standing, please contact rpl@dal.ca.