Diploma in Police Studies
Memorial's Faculty of Arts offers a Diploma Program in Police Studies to students who are recruit cadets of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Initiated in 2004, this allows RNC cadets to train in their home province for the first time ever. The one-year program provides the academic and experiential learning components relevant to future work as police officers.
To date 193 police officers have graduated from the program and all have been hired by the RNC.
Recruiting for 2013 is underway. The next application intake will be in the Fall 2013. Information sessions will be scheduled starrting in Sept 2013.
Read about the benefits of this unique program to our police force, the communities it serves, and our students: Recruits well prepared
Contact Us
If you have any questions related to the Diploma in Police Studies or would like to make an appointment to talk about the program, please contact Anne Morris, Program Coordinator, Department of Sociology: (709) 864-7454, or email amorris@mun.ca.
Requently Asked Questions
1. Do I have to have a degree to get into the Police Studies Diploma Program?
No you do not have to have a degree - you would normally require five university courses (listed under admission requirements), or the equivalent.
2. Do the required courses have to be completed at a university?
No these courses can also be completed at College of the North Atlantic and then credit can be transferred to MUN. Credits may be able to be transferred from other recognized colleges as well.
3. Will I be considered for acceptance to the program if I have completed other types of programs like Techology Programs or Diploma Programs at other institutions?
It is always best to check with the RNC recruiting section and Program Coordinator to see if the program or training you have completed will be considered as equivalent to the admission requirements.
4. Do I just apply to the PLST diploma program and get into the RNC if I have the five required courses?
No - you need the academic admission requirements and also be accepted as a recruit constable with the RNC having gone through their detailed admission process (outline on the RNC website).
5. What happens if I have already completed some of the courses required in the PLST program?
If you have completed some of the required courses there will be alternative courses suggested for you to take. You still have to take a full time courses load of five courses over the Fall and Winter semesters?
6. Will I have an advantage over other applicants if I do some of the required coursese first?
No you will not have an advantage if you complete the required courses. If possible individuals should try to save those courses for when they get into the program. Then they can do them as a class with the other recruits.
7. If I am accepted and begin the PLST program in September when will I start actually doing things related to policing?
From the very beginning recruits are on campus at the university three days and week and doing police related courses at the RNC two days a week. Every day recruits participate in a physcial fitness routine. Recruits also are involved with the community. They participate ini volunteer activities. They also do team building activities with the other police recruits.
8. What is the cost of the program?
The program consists of two full semesters on campus and a third semester work term. University costs are the same as for any other student completing a full time course load for the two semesters - approximately $2550 for tuition for 30 credit hours (10 courses) and there is a fee (approx. $600) for the work term as well. Check out this website for more detail on costs.
9. Do I get paid as a recruit with the RNC?
The RNC pays its cadets $15/hour during the work term (3rd ) semester at the RNC.
10. What are the other important things to consider beside academic requirements when applying to the PLST program?
Physical requirements are very important. You have to pass the PARE test (you can see a video of this on the RNC website) You need to be in good physcial shape. Many of the gyms around town have programs in place to help individuals prepare when applying to police forces.
You must be of good character. This basically means being a good person and staying away from drugs and alcohol. This does not mean that an individual will be eliminated for being a normal young person - but you must be honest in your application when answering questions.
Volunteer work is strongly encouraged.
