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?
- 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!)
- Apply for other public services such as the New Zealand Fire Brigade, St John Ambulance and the Armed Forces.
- 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.
- 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 |
