Police and Justice Studies Diploma

Become a beacon of protection for your community by serving and protecting both life and property.

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Why choose TRU?

Program details

Where will this take me?

Developed with the insights and expertise of police and justice agencies, you’ll learn the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a justice related career at TRU.

Pick up a well-rounded set of skills and gain knowledge in psychology, criminology, the Canadian criminal justice system, contemporary social and community problems, policing protocols, ethics and strategies, investigating and evidence, conflict management, justice communications and reporting.

Additionally, instruction in fitness, conditioning and lifestyle will teach you about the importance of health and wellness.

Why pursue a Police and Justice Studies Diploma?

The program was developed in close liaison with police and other justice agencies to ensure graduates would have the breadth of skills and knowledge required for a justice-related career.

Collaborative faculty

Your lecturers approach teaching with compassion for their students and truly foster a productive learning environment. Enjoy lively classes with enthusiastic professors, and active listening in smaller classroom settings.

Program Details

Credential: Police and Justice Studies Diploma
Delivery: Kamloops
Length: Two years
Intake dates: September
Applications: Now accepting applications
International: Open to international applicants
: Apply now Request more info Visit the program website Print this page

What will I learn?

Developed with police and other justice agencies, this two-year program will prepare you for the challenges of a career in policing, as well as in corrections, parole, customs, and other government services at the federal, provincial or municipal levels.

Gain a complete overview of the Canadian criminal justice system. Examine the legislative, structural, and operational components of the criminal justice system in Canada. Learn to effectively communicate as a public safety personnel with the justice system. Examine core communication forms in the field, develop writing and speaking skills, along with skills in interpreting an array of communication scenarios.

Work on understanding human behaviour, using your ethical compass in new situations and stay in great shape with conditioning. Practice the use of force techniques in the gymnasium. Engage in hand-to-hand self-defence training, including handcuffing techniques, pressure points and control tactics and defensive baton.

Your diploma credits count towards completion of an arts, business or criminology degree if you decide to continue your education.

100% of graduates said that said the quality of instruction was very good or good
98% said they learned how to work effectively with others, resolve issues and analyze and think critically during the program
100% said they developed the skills to be able to write clearly and concisely, and read and comprehend material during their studies
87% of employed graduate respondents were working in a job related to their program

BC Student Outcomes Data (2018-2020)

Admission requirements

What you need to get in

Selective admission

BC Grade 12 (or equivalent)
English 12 or English 12 - First Peoples with a minimum of 73% (or equivalent)
A current resumé and statement of career objectives is to be submitted with the application

Applicants should note that some required courses require physical fitness standards and may require a criminal record check.

General requirements

Year Two students: BC Class 5, 7N or equivalent needed to complete the Justice Institute’s, Driving With Finesse, (a required component of JUST 2450 Police Skills)

Program requirements

How the program works

Year one courses (30 credits)

Fall semester / September to December

CMNS 1810 Composition
JUST 1140 Human Behaviour
JUST 1310 Intro to Criminal Justice Services in Canada
PHED 1230 Conditioning
Plus one elective

Winter semester / January to April

CMNS 1980 Professional Presentation
JUST 1250 Tactical Communication Skills for Criminal Justice
PHIL 1110 Introduction to Critical Thinking
POLI 1110 The Government and Politics of Canada
Plus: one elective (recommended ANTH 2140)

We accept all academic courses as electives. For assistance with choosing your electives, contact Arts Advising (artsadvising@tru.ca, 250-371-5566 or AE257).

Year two courses (30 credits)

Fall semester / September to December

JUST 2450 Police Skills
JUST 2510 Introduction to Policing
PHIL 2010 Introduction to Ethics
SOCI 2590 * Deviance and Control
Plus: one elective (3 credits)

Winter semester / January to April

JUST 2350 Introduction to Canadian Law and Legal Institutions
JUST 2810 Field Work Practicum
SOCI 2010 ** Race and Ethnic Relations
Plus: two electives (6 credits)

* Students who have completed PSYC 2160 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology will be exempted from SOCI 2590.

** Students who have completed any of ANTH 2140 Canadian Native Peoples, ANTH 2150 Cultural Studies, or ANTH 2600 Minorities in the Modern World will be exempted from SOCI 2010.

Selection process

GPA (weighted at 70%); and Resumé and Statement of Career Objectives (weights at 30%).

Career Options / Laddering options

Where will this diploma take me?

This unique two-year diploma program prepares you for careers in policing and other justice-related areas: sheriffs, corrections officers, parole officers and more.

Laddering options

Graduates of the Police and Justice Diploma may ladder into a variety of degrees:

If you want to continue your education and ladder into other degree programs in criminology, arts and business, this is definitely possible and may just require a few bridging courses.

Faculty Highlights

“Oh, where to start! One of the aspects of teaching that I love is seeing the lightbulb moment — that moment when a concept or idea clicks with a student, because that moment can be the beginning of a new passion, a new career trajectory, a new way of looking at the world. I constantly feel privileged to be a part of those moments in my students’ academic lives, and love trying to come up with creative and engaging ways to facilitate those moments.”

— Rochelle Stevenson, Associate Professor, Sociology

“I love the interaction with students, particularly when students discuss and debate an idea raised in class. I also love sharing knowledge with students, introducing them to ideas for the first time, and watching their eyes light up with curiosity or surprise or puzzlement. Awakening the mind of the student is the first task of the philosophy instructor, and I've always striven to do so. I have always been passionate in my teaching, and have endeavoured to communicate my passion for philosophy to my students. When a student becomes passionate about philosophy, then I feel that I have succeeded”

— Laurie Baugh, Philosophy, History and Politics faculty

“What I most enjoy about teaching is building strong relationships with students, and seeing students return to my classrooms year after year. I also appreciate watching students arrive at new revelations through experiential learning activities and discussions in the classroom — I love diving into my facilitator toolkit to explore different modes of learning and debriefing.”

— Jennifer Shaw, Assistant Teaching Professor, Sociology

Request more information

Apply now

Visit the program website

Tuition	$0.00
Fees	$0.00
Books and supplies Typically about $150 per course	$0.00
Total (CDN)	$0.00

Police and Justice Studies Diploma