Earning a degree in Law Enforcement from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College can lead to a wide range of exciting and satisfying careers—police officer, sheriff’s deputy, state trooper, criminal investigator, conservation officer, park ranger, security guard, corrections officer and many more. People who are interested in helping others and performing a valuable community service should consider a career in Law Enforcement.

Job prospects for Law Enforcement graduates are excellent. Approximately 25% of current law enforcement positions in Minnesota will turn over in the next few years. Large cities such as St. Paul and Minneapolis hire new recruits on an on-going basis. In addition, other states aggressively seek and recruit Minnesota-trained officers to fill job vacancies.

The mission of the Law Enforcement Department at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is to provide a comprehensive approach to law enforcement focusing on current and past practices in enforcement, including problem solving, conflict resolution, and community involvement and partnerships. Special attention is paid to police and public safety ethics.

 

Advantages

Law Enforcement students have the advantage of being trained by instructors who have direct field experience. Instructors on staff include current police officers and lawyers. The instructional staff, combined with the multi-cultural environment at the college, offer opportunities that no other college can provide. A Law Enforcement degree from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is greatly valued and respected by prospective employers.

The compact, streamlined program can be completed in two years. For students who already have a college degree or some college experience, it is possible to complete the program in one year. Many classes are held during evening hours, allowing a flexible time to attend classes. Convenient access to computer labs and the Law Enforcement Club for students are added bonuses.

Here is a short video featuring Program Coordinators Wade Lamirande and Joel Olejnicak highlighting the advantages of our Law Enforcement Training program.

 

 

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College offers programs leading to Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Science degrees in Law Enforcement. New college students who are interested in the Law Enforcement Program should first take the Accuplacer Test and then schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of the Law Enforcement Program to review eligibility for licensure in Minnesota as a Peace Officer.

Transfer students (with or without a previous degree) need to schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of the Law Enforcement Program to review eligibility for licensure in Minnesota as a Peace Officer, and determine what classes would be required before they would be eligible to enroll in the skills portion of the Professional Peace Officer Education Program (PPOE).

Prospective Law Enforcement students should have no felony convictions. To continue in the Law Enforcement Program, a student should maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 in all program courses.

 

Associate Degree Option Required Courses

Each student works with Coordinator of the Law Enforcement Program to plan a course schedule for each semester.

 

Law Enforcement Skills Program

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College offers a comprehensive skills training program. Degree requirements and course information are subject to change. Students should consult with an advisor/counselor when registering for courses.

 

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice

The field of criminal justice encompasses law enforcement, investigations, court and administrative services, corrections, private security and juvenile justice. Each area requires individuals who can communicate, work well with colleagues, and the community. The individuals need to be skilled in management, investigative techniques, analysis of data and critical thinking.

Students who choose to complete the associate of applied science degree program develop these abilities and are prepared for successful careers in a variety of positions at federal, state and local law enforcement agencies as police, corrections, security officers or a number of administrative positions. The associate of applied science degree prepares students to directly enter the workforce and also satisfies most of the requirements for transfer to four-year institutions. Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College has partnerships with the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the University of Wisconsin Superior. Graduates of our program readily transfer to four-year colleges and universities that offer a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

 

POST Board Exam Preparation Course

The Preparation for the POST Board Exam course is offered through our Workforce Development and Continuing Education Department at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. More information and course registration is available at this page. Please contact Stacey Johnson directly with questions at 218-879-0775 or via email at stacey.johnson*AT*fdltcc.edu

 

Licensing Disclosure

Standards and Training (POST) board examination. Most other states retain some form of academy training followed by certification of the individual officer. Minnesota requires those aspiring to work in law enforcement to complete an educational program and pass a state board exam. Licensing itself only occurs when eligible candidates are appointed to a peace officer position and certain selection standards are met. Licensing is a cooperative process between the POST Board, the hiring agency and the candidate https://dps.mn.gov/entity/post/licensing/Pages/default.aspx. In some cases state agencies allow people with peace officer experience from another state to meet licensure requirements by taking a reciprocity exam. If you are considering work in a state other than Minnesota, please contact the relevant state licensing agency to determine if there are reciprocity exams available.

Testimonials

I chose FDLTCC because of its size and the curriculum. When I first came here in 2019, I was just looking for what I needed to volunteer, perhaps in a crisis shelter. I met with Don Jarvinen, and the rest is history.

My favorite thing about FDLTCC is the people. I’ve met fantastic students, faculty and staff who go above and beyond what I expected.

It is awesome here at the FDLTCC Education Program because it is like a family here, if you need help or are struggling with anything, you have quite a few people who will help you out.