OSTC Police Pathway (Level 3)
OSTC courses are for students who are enrolled in secondary school. If you wish to apply, please see your school’s career advisor, or contact Liz Gilmore, OSTC Liaison Officer – Elizabeth.Gilmore@op.ac.nz | Ph: 03 479 6092

Location

Dunedin and Cromwell

Duration

One day a week for the school year

Thinking about a career in the Police? 

Then this course is the perfect taster to see if it's right for you!

Designed by the New Zealand Police for secondary school students, this course will be run at the Polytechnic (by a Polytechnic tutor) in conjunction with the local police force. 

What will I do?

This course will give you a ground level understanding of the knowledge, skills, attributes and attitudes associated with the Police and Policing in Aotearoa New Zealand. In addition to this, it will provide an opportunity for you to explore the physical and leadership requirements required to become a Police Officer. 

You will learn about:

  • policing principles and the roles and responsibilities of a Constable of New Zealand Police
  • investigative interview skills, initial scene investigation, legislation about policing tasks and court procedures
  • the physical requirements of being a police officer and explore the leadership required to be one 
  • career opportunities within the New Zealand Police 
  • the six core values of the New Zealand Police (PRIMED - see them here). 

You will learn through classroom sessions, guest presentations, practical experiences, online-based activities and visits to local police operational groups. 

What could I do next? 

  1. Apply for the New Zealand Police. This course does not guarantee that you'll be accepted but you will have much more idea of what is required to be a police officer and it will help you prepare for it. In addition, the content of the 12-week distance learning component of the New Zealand Police application process is covered in this course (so you won't have to do that again when applying!)
  2. Apply for other public services such as the New Zealand Fire Brigade, St John Ambulance and the Armed Forces. 
  3. Study for the New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 4) or the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) at Otago Polytechnic's Dunedin Campus.  
  4. Study for the New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Level 4) at Otago Polytechnic's Central Otago Campus. 


Unit standards covered in this course

Number Name Level Credits
4251 Plan a career pathway 3 3
1296 Interview in informal situations 3 3
1297 Conduct an interview in a formal situation 4 5
9681 Contribute within a team or group which has an objective 3 3
11097 Listen actively to gain information in an active setting  3 3
26971 Describe factors that contribute to mental health wellbeing
and mental health problems 
3 3
  One or two will then be chosen from the following:     
91501 Demonstrate quality performance of a physical activity in an
applied setting 
3 4
1304 Communicate across cultures 3 2
1307 Speak to a known audience in a predictable situation 3 3
27843 Evaluate concept of law in a specific situation 3 4