Modern policing, criminal justice and public safety roles demand individuals who have compassion, integrity, respect and adaptability. These individuals have good physical and mental fitness, and prioritize the wellbeing of others. Hiring standards in Ontario reflect this shift in justice-related careers.
While there are many fulfilling roles in justice, such as correctional officer, border services officer, private investigator and security guard, we’re going to focus on the unique path of becoming a Police Constable and how a Mohawk College justice program can help you reach your goals.
Before diving in, it’s important to recognize that obtaining a Police Constable role isn’t as simple as many other professional roles. It’s not enough to just want this career; you must have the personality, dedication and experience to make it happen.
So how do you know if you have what it takes? And if you do, is Mohawk College the right first step to get you there?
Let’s take a closer look at what it truly means to pursue a career in policing and how Mohawk College provides the essential foundation for that journey.
How does someone become a Police Constable in Ontario?
First, you must obtain an OACP Certificate by completing a paid exam. Then, to apply to most police services in Ontario, you’ll need to complete the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Constable Selection System. This multi-stage process includes:
OACP Certificate (Pre-Screening)
- Online information package
- Mental ability and personality assessments
Police service hiring process
- Information session
- Application and resume screening
- Interviews (local focus and essential competencies)
- Additional testing (driving, scenarios, fitness, etc.)
Final steps
- Background investigation
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical examination
- Conditional offer
Once you get a conditional offer, you will be scheduled to attend the Ontario Police College (OPC) in Aylmer, Ontario. This is a 12-week basic constable training program.
After completing OPC training, you are typically sworn in as a Police Constable.
Will a Police Foundations or Protection, Security and Investigation Diploma from Mohawk College help me get hired as a police officer?
In short, yes. Mohawk College can offer a strong foundation for a policing career. Completing your Police Foundations or Protection, Security and Investigation Diploma is a great first (or second) step to becoming a Police Constable.
Direct from high school
Becoming a Police Constable isn’t a straight path. The selection process is designed to find individuals who are emotionally mature, have experience with the public, and have demonstrated community involvement.
If you’re coming directly from high school, it might be a good idea to plan to take Mohawk College’s Advanced Police Studies Graduate Certificate after you complete the Police Foundations or Protection, Security and Investigation Diploma. This one-year graduate certificate program dives deeper into investigative practices, ethical decision-making and scenario-based training. It’s ideal for students who want to bridge the experience gap.
In 2022-23, 100% of Advanced Police Studies graduates were employed within six months of completing the program, according to the Graduate Outcomes & Employment Satisfaction Survey.
Adil Khalqi, a Mohawk College Alumni of Distinction, is a perfect example. He graduated from Police Foundations in 2019 and Advanced Police Studies in 2020 and was hired as a Police Constable with the Brantford Police Service in 2021. Adil attributes his success to the education he received at Mohawk College. “[The college] gave me the life experience and the skills from the educational side, but also the practical side [with] the scenario-based training to excel in the careers that I’m in,” he said.
Mature student
If you’re a mature student with previous education, volunteering or work experience, a Police Foundations or Protection, Security and Investigation Diploma may give you the experience to successfully make it through the OACP multi-stage selection process without the need for further education.
University graduate
As a university graduate, you can consider taking the one-year Advanced Police Studies Graduate Certificate to give you the hands-on training you need to compete in the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Constable Selection System.
How does Mohawk College’s program align with industry needs?
Mohawk College brings over 40 years of experience delivering justice-related programs. What began in the 1980s as a Law and Security program evolved into the Police Foundations; Advanced Police Studies, and Protection, Security and Investigation offered today. These programs provide students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for rewarding careers in the field.
Mohawk College’s goal has always been to give graduates the tools to be industry-ready. Our programs have been developed to meet the guidelines set by the Ministry of the Solicitor General for the Province of Ontario, ensuring our programs of studies are always industry-relevant, preparing students for the demands of the field.
Does Mohawk College have strong connections to police services or hiring agencies?
Mohawk College has very strong connections with police and security services. A great example is the optional co-op work placements in the Police Foundation and Protection, Security and Investigation Diploma programs.
The Police Foundations and Protection, Security and Investigation Diplomas are the only diploma programs in Ontario that offer a co-op option. Trent Jarvis, the Co-op Specialist for these programs notes that “for up to fifteen years we have been so grateful to our Co-op employer partners from the City of Hamilton Municipal Law Enforcement/Hamilton Police Service for their tremendous support of our Co-op students and future ready community safety student training and mentorship. Our Justice Studies (Co-op) graduates are well prepared, and eager to serve, in law enforcement.”
Early connections with these employers help you build relationships for later in your career. It also gives you the real-world experience to get you noticed during the OACP Constable Selection System.
Even if they don’t complete a co-op placement, our graduates are known in the community and have a reputation of being well-rounded and ready for law enforcement fields. Laurie Porthouse, who teaches in the Advanced Police Studies program and works in Recruitment at the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) speaks to the reputation of our grads, “We, at the HPS, love Mohawk College grads and we have continued to expand our connections with specific programs in order to try and facilitate more employment opportunities.”
Does Mohawk College have historical ties to police services?
Our faculty is experienced in the field, and students benefit from their industry knowledge and connections. As Adil noted, Mohawk College professors “really use their own life experience and their career paths and what they’ve done in their careers to build the curriculum and help use their experiences to teach us what we need to do when we do get into our careers.”
Roles in police services can involve situations where lives are at stake, so learning from real professionals with actual field experience can give an advantage that a textbook never could.
As Adil explains, in programs like Advanced Police Studies, students gain “experiential opportunities with local police services” and “exposure to police recruiters from across the province.” Mohawk College is able to offer students these experiences because this program was built with direct input from professionals in the policing field.
When students study at Mohawk College, faculty also become their industry connections. As Susan Shaw-Davis, 2008 Alumni of Distinction Award winner, explains, “I have a bunch of great professors which are now still good friends. I still keep in contact with them and update them on what’s going on.”
What if I don’t meet the requirements to become a Police Constable?
Policing, criminal justice and public safety roles are highly demanding and there are specific requirements to enter that field. For example, the Ontario Provincial Police provides a guideline for the minimum requirements. Before applying, it is recommended that you review these requirements thoroughly to make sure you can meet them.
The Police Foundations program outlines specific requirements that must be met prior to participating in a co-op placement, including certain physical standards, driving abstracts and health standards, as well as a Police Criminal Record Check (PCRC). This transparency allows students to be aware of potential disqualifiers early on in their career journey.
If you do not meet the requirements to become a Police Constable in Ontario, there are other career options worth investigating, like private investigator or loss prevention.
How does the practical and hands-on training at Mohawk College compare to what I’ll learn later at the Ontario Police College or on the job?
If policing is the path in public safety that you choose, Mohawk College helps you succeed in Basic Constable Training at the Ontario Police College. To help achieve this, Mohawk College programs are aligned to the guidelines set by the Ministry of the Solicitor General for the Province of Ontario.
This table lists the main areas of focus in Basic Constable Training and which Mohawk College Justice programs cover them.
| Basic Constable Training topics | Advanced Police Studies | Police Foundations | Protection, Security & Investigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judgmental training & use of force | Yes (Scenario labs) | Yes (Basics) | Yes (Managing aggression) |
| Police vehicle operations | Yes (Vehicle lab) | No | No |
| De-escalation skills | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Federal & provincial law | Yes (Applied) | Yes (Statutes) | Yes (Limited) |
| Investigation & evidence | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Physical fitness | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The practical, hands-on experience also prepares you for the training at the Ontario Police College.
Take it from Susan Shaw-Davis, a Police Foundations alumna. She said she didn’t just learn facts; she emphasizes that Mohawk College “taught me to be [a well-rounded] person, not just my education, [but] my character and my morals and ethics [too]. I learned everything there.”
Do the labs matter?
If you are considering a Police Foundations or Protection, Security and Investigation Diploma, it’s worth checking out our state-of-the-art training facilities on campus. The lab spaces are used to provide practical, hands-on, scenario and simulation-based training. From a Mock Trial Court Room to the Tactical Simulation Lab—this isn’t just theory. Visit our campus during Open House to explore these spaces yourself.
And while the OACP has removed the PREP (Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police) as part of your initial OACP certificate, you may still be tested during your interview process. Our programs specifically focus on physical fitness, training and wellness planning to prepare you for the fitness requirements for various careers in law enforcement. So you can take on those physical challenges when the time comes!
Should I take a university degree instead, like criminology or social work, for more job options in public safety?
It depends on your goals. A college diploma from Mohawk College can provide the credibility you need to enter the police services field. Adil Khalqi used his Mohawk College credentials not only to launch a policing career but also to get elected as the youngest councillor in his municipality’s history.
University degrees can offer more theoretical or research-based knowledge for roles like forensic psychology, policy development or intelligence analysis. Another common pathway is to complete a university degree first and then Mohawk College’s Advanced Police Studies Graduate Certificate to gain practical skills.
If you start with a diploma and discover that university better aligns with your goals, Mohawk College offers transfer pathways to university degree programs in Criminal Justice and related fields.
Ready to take the first step into a career as a Police Constable?
Mohawk College offers practical skills and industry connections to start a career in public safety. Explore our justice programs and take the first step towards a rewarding future serving your community.
