Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, Man. has launched a new one-year advanced diploma in public safety. The immersive, full-time program is designed to prepare graduates for a range of careers in the public safety sector, says the school, including municipal, regional and Indigenous police services, corrections and security.
“This new post-graduate credential allows us to better meet the needs of students and employers, preparing graduates for a range of community-focused careers in public safety organizations,” says Ian Grant, special advisor of public safety at Assiniboine. “The growth and expansion of our public safety programming is something we continue to put a great deal of our focus and energy behind.”
Grant spent 38 years working in public safety and retired as chief of the Brandon Police Service in 2017.
The program centres around hands-on learning environments and scenario training that features a problem-based learning approach. As an advanced diploma program, students must have an existing degree or diploma from a college or university to enrol.
“Critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, and emotional intelligence are all skills we focus on developing as graduates are entering into careers that serve communities,” adds Jack Ewatski, Assiniboine’s recently appointed chair of public safety. Ewatski spent more than 35 years in policing and public safety including serving as chief of the Winnipeg Police Service from 1998 to 2007.
“The college environment offers career-specific education and training, and so this program provides a terrific pathway for those with undergraduate degrees in disciplines such as criminology or sociology,” he says.
The first cohort of students in the new program will begin their studies in September 2021. The program offers two intakes a year in both September and January. The move to two intakes follows discussions with police services across Manitoba who signaled more frequent entry and exit points would better serve their needs.
The program will be delivered at the college’s Victoria Avenue East campus in Brandon where its Public Safety Centre is located.
Those interest in enrolling in the program or learning more about whether it’s the right fit for their career goals may contact the college’s student recruitment team directly at recruit@assiniboine.net.
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