Skip to content

COURSE OUTLINE SEARCH

Welcome to the new Course Outline Search Tool. We are currently in the process of completing this resource, if the outline you are looking for is not available, please see details below.

Search by Course Name or Code

Humber

Course Outline

Course Name: Police Powers (PFP 207)

Academic Period: 2023 - 2024

Faculty:


Faculty Availability:

Associate Dean:
Nivedita Lane
nivedita.lane@humber.ca

Schedule Type Code:

Land Acknowledgement

Humber College is located within the traditional and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Known as Adoobiigok [A-doe-bee-goke], the “Place of the Alders” in Michi Saagiig [Mi-Chee Saw-Geeg] language, the region is uniquely situated along Humber River Watershed, which historically provided an integral connection for Anishinaabe [Ah-nish-nah-bay], Haudenosaunee [Hoeden-no-shownee], and Wendat [Wine-Dot] peoples between the Ontario Lakeshore and the Lake Simcoe/Georgian Bay regions. Now home to people of numerous nations, Adoobiigok continues to provide a vital source of interconnection for all.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber (Humber) are leaders in providing a learning, working and living environment that recognizes and values equity, diversity and inclusion in all its programs and services. Humber commits to reflect the diversity of the communities the College serves. Students, faculty, support and administrative staff feel a sense of belonging and have opportunities to be their authentic selves.

Faculty or Department Faculty of Social & Community Services
Program(s)
Police Foundations (11071)
Course Name: Police Powers (PFP 207)
Pre-Requisites none
Co-Requisites none
Pre-Requisites for none
Equates none
Restrictions Must be enrolled in Postsecondary and FSCS
Credit Value 3
Total Course Hours 42
Developed By: Prepared By: Approved by:
Nivedita Lane

Humber Learning Outcomes (HLOs) in this course.

The HLOs are a cross-institutional learning outcomes strategy aimed at equipping Humber graduates with the employability skills, mindsets, and values they need to succeed in the future of work. To explore all the HLOs, please consult the Humber Learning Outcomes framework.

  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
  • Systems Thinking
  • Indigenous Ways of Being Knowing and Doing (IWBKD)
  • Critical Thinking
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Digital Fluency
  • Innovation
  • Professionalism
  • Strategic Problem-Solving

Course Description

This course will examine various pieces of Federal and Provincial legislation dealing with police arrest, search and seizure authorities. These powers will be critically discussed within the framework of pertinent sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The impact on Canadian Criminal Procedure focusing on citizen and police arrest and release authorities, including search and seizure, with and without warrant, police discretion and its implications will be discussed. This course will enable the student to critically examine the use of force within the context of existing legislation while becoming familiar with police terminology and the application of procedures required by police officers to affect arrest and release.

Course Rationale

This course will examine pertinent sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and their impact on Canadian criminal procedures. Citizen and police arrest and release authorities, police powers of search and seizure, with and without a warrant, and police discretion and its implications will be discussed. This course will enable you to become familiar with police terminology and apply the procedures required to effect arrest and release.

Program Outcomes Emphasized in this Course

Police Foundations (11071)

  1. Complete all tasks in compliance with pertinent legislation, as well as policing standards, regulations and guidelines.
  2. Analyze all relevant information and make effective and legally defensible decisions in accordance with ethical and professional standards.
  3. Be accountable for one’s actions when carrying out all tasks.
  4. Develop and implement ongoing effective strategies for personal and professional development.
  5. Ensure the respect of human rights and freedoms in all interactions.
  6. Work co-operatively in multidisciplinary teams to achieve mutual goals.
  7. Monitor, evaluate and document behaviours, situations and events accurately and discreetly in compliance with legal, professional, ethical and organizational requirements.
  8. Mitigate risks and maintain order by applying effective strategies in crisis, conflict and emergency situations.
  9. Conduct investigations by collecting, documenting, preserving and presenting admissible evidence.

Course Learning Method(s)

  • Problem Based Learning (PBL)
  • Case Based Learning
  • Work-integrated Learning
  • Simulations
  • Lecture

Learning Outcomes

  • Derive a course of action that complies with relevant law and legislation and professional and ethical standards.
  • Apply the correct arrest authority based on common offences and their classifications
  • Explain the process for laying a criminal information and the obligation of the police and crown to disclose all evidence.
  • Identify legal and evidentiary variables that influence a decision to search and seize evidence.
  • Apply legislative and Charter case law authories governing search and seizure.
  • Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the law enforcement officer at each level of the interim release process from the perspective of the arresting officer, officer-in-charge, Justice of the Peace, and Superior Court Judge.
  • Describe the legal consequences of illegal searches and the improper use of police authorities.
  • Interpret the process for interim release identifying criteria for release.
  • Choose criteria used to determine appropriate interim release authorities for a variety of offences and offender profiles.

Assessment Weighting

Assessment Weight
Final Exam 30%
Quiz 20%
In-class Activity 25%
Midterm Exam 25%
Total 100%

Modules of Study

Module Course Learning Outcomes Resources Assessments
Introduction / Orientation Classification of Offences
  • Derive a course of action that complies with relevant law and legislation and professional and ethical standards.
  • Explain the process for laying a criminal information and the obligation of the police and crown to disclose all evidence.
  • Apply legislative and Charter case law authories governing search and seizure.
  • Choose criteria used to determine appropriate interim release authorities for a variety of offences and offender profiles.

Criminal Code

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Chapter 1 - Text

  • Written/Online Assessment: Mid-term exam (Individual, on-campus)
  • Written/Online Assessment: Quiz (Individual, on-campus)
  • Student-Negotiated: Final Word
  • Performance/Exhibition: Review - Kahoot
  • Performance/Exhibition: Case Study
Criminal Code Offences Classification of Offences
  • Derive a course of action that complies with relevant law and legislation and professional and ethical standards.
  • Apply the correct arrest authority based on common offences and their classifications
  • Identify legal and evidentiary variables that influence a decision to search and seize evidence.
  • Interpret the process for interim release identifying criteria for release.

Criminal Code

Chapter 3 - text

  • Written/Online Assessment: Mid-term exam (Individual, on-campus)
  • Written/Online Assessment: Quiz (Individual, on-campus)
  • Performance/Exhibition: Review - Kahoot
  • Oral Assessment: Review - Mentimeter
  • Performance/Exhibition: Case Study
Powers of Arrest: Police with and without a warrant Civilian powers
  • Derive a course of action that complies with relevant law and legislation and professional and ethical standards.
  • Apply the correct arrest authority based on common offences and their classifications
  • Explain the process for laying a criminal information and the obligation of the police and crown to disclose all evidence.
  • Identify legal and evidentiary variables that influence a decision to search and seize evidence.
  • Apply legislative and Charter case law authories governing search and seizure.
  • Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the law enforcement officer at each level of the interim release process from the perspective of the arresting officer, officer-in-charge, Justice of the Peace, and Superior Court Judge.
  • Describe the legal consequences of illegal searches and the improper use of police authorities.
  • Interpret the process for interim release identifying criteria for release.

Criminal Code

Text - Chapters 4, 8

  • Written/Online Assessment: Mid-term exam (Individual, on-campus)
  • Written/Online Assessment: Quiz (Individual, on-campus)
  • Written/Online Assessment: Final Exam (Individual, on-campus)
  • Student-Negotiated: Muddiest Point
  • Performance/Exhibition: Review - Kahoot
  • Performance/Exhibition: Case Study
Search and Seizure: With and without a warrant Consent searches Effects of illegal searches
  • Derive a course of action that complies with relevant law and legislation and professional and ethical standards.
  • Explain the process for laying a criminal information and the obligation of the police and crown to disclose all evidence.
  • Identify legal and evidentiary variables that influence a decision to search and seize evidence.
  • Apply legislative and Charter case law authories governing search and seizure.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Criminal Code

Text - Chapter 9

  • Written/Online Assessment: Mid-term exam (Individual, on-campus)
  • Written/Online Assessment: Quiz (Individual, on-campus)
  • Student-Negotiated: Final Word
  • Performance/Exhibition: Review - Kahoot
  • Performance/Exhibition: Case Study
Investigative Detention Assignment - Independent Study
  • Derive a course of action that complies with relevant law and legislation and professional and ethical standards.
  • Apply the correct arrest authority based on common offences and their classifications
  • Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the law enforcement officer at each level of the interim release process from the perspective of the arresting officer, officer-in-charge, Justice of the Peace, and Superior Court Judge.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

 

  • Written/Online Assessment: Quiz (Individual, on-campus)
  • Written/Online Assessment: In-class activity (Group, on-campus)
  • Written/Online Assessment: Final Exam (Individual, on-campus)
  • Student-Negotiated: Final Word
  • Performance/Exhibition: Review - Kahoot
  • Performance/Exhibition: Case Study
Ethics in Policing - Police Policy and Accountability
  • Derive a course of action that complies with relevant law and legislation and professional and ethical standards.
  • Apply the correct arrest authority based on common offences and their classifications
  • Explain the process for laying a criminal information and the obligation of the police and crown to disclose all evidence.
  • Identify legal and evidentiary variables that influence a decision to search and seize evidence.
  • Apply legislative and Charter case law authories governing search and seizure.
  • Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the law enforcement officer at each level of the interim release process from the perspective of the arresting officer, officer-in-charge, Justice of the Peace, and Superior Court Judge.
  • Describe the legal consequences of illegal searches and the improper use of police authorities.
  • Interpret the process for interim release identifying criteria for release.
  • Choose criteria used to determine appropriate interim release authorities for a variety of offences and offender profiles.

Police Services Act

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

  • Written/Online Assessment: Quiz (Individual, on-campus)
  • Written/Online Assessment: In-class activity (Group, on-campus)
  • Written/Online Assessment: Final Exam (Individual, on-campus)
  • Student-Negotiated: Final Word
  • Performance/Exhibition: Review - Kahoot
  • Performance/Exhibition: Case Study
Interim Release from Custody: Releases / Show Cause Hearing and Laying an information
  • Derive a course of action that complies with relevant law and legislation and professional and ethical standards.
  • Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of the law enforcement officer at each level of the interim release process from the perspective of the arresting officer, officer-in-charge, Justice of the Peace, and Superior Court Judge.
  • Describe the legal consequences of illegal searches and the improper use of police authorities.
  • Interpret the process for interim release identifying criteria for release.
  • Choose criteria used to determine appropriate interim release authorities for a variety of offences and offender profiles.

Bill C75

Criminal Code

  • Written/Online Assessment: Quiz (Individual, on-campus)
  • Written/Online Assessment: In-class activity (Group, on-campus)
  • Written/Online Assessment: Final Exam (Individual, on-campus)
  • Student-Negotiated: Final Word
  • Student-Negotiated: Muddiest Point
  • Performance/Exhibition: Review - Kahoot
  • Performance/Exhibition: Case Study
Crown Briefs/Disclosure/McNeil Applications
  • Derive a course of action that complies with relevant law and legislation and professional and ethical standards.
  • Choose criteria used to determine appropriate interim release authorities for a variety of offences and offender profiles.

Regina v. McNeil

  • Written/Online Assessment: Final Exam (Individual, on-campus)
  • Performance/Exhibition: Review - Kahoot
  • Performance/Exhibition: Case Study

Required Resources

Name
Moorcroft, B., Page, H., Reilly, C.; (2020) Police Powers, Second Edition, Toronto.  Emond Publishing. ISBN 978-1-7725-514-1

Supplemental Resources

Name

An e-Reserve reading list will be available on Blackboard for this course.  The e-Reserve reading list will include links from various legislative and case law websites as well as news articles    and videos of significant public interest.

Martin’s Annual Criminal Code – Current Edition

Additional Tools and Equipment

  • Mobile Simlab - for interactive scenarios(optional)
  • Simulation house - to conduct interactive case studies(optional)

Essential Skills

Section Skills Measurement Details
Communication
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Listening
  • Presenting
Teach and measure
  • Lectures, Case Studies, Scenario Practical work - group and individual, Class Discussion
  • Formative: In-class Practicals Summative: Assignment
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
  • Analysing
  • Synthesising
  • Evaluating
  • Decision-Making
  • Creative and Innovative Thinking
Reinforce and measure
  • Lecture, Case Studies, Scenario based practical assignments - group and individual
  • Formative: Daily review/ Practical application Summative: Quizzes, Exams, Assignment
Information Management
  • Gathering and managing information
  • Selecting and using appropriate tools and technology for a task or project
  • Computer literacy
  • Internet skills
Reinforce and measure
  • Lecture, Case Studies, Scenario based practical assignments - group and individual
  • Formative: Daily Reviews/ Practical Scenario Applications Summative: Assignment
Interpersonal Skills
  • Teamwork
  • Relationship management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Leadership
Reinforce and measure
  • Lecture, Case Studies, Scenario based practical assignments - group and individual
  • Formative: In-class debate and discussion, Practical Scenario applications - Group and Individual Summative: Assignment
Personal Skills
  • Managing self
  • Managing change and being flexible and adaptable
  • Engaging in reflective practice
  • Demonstrating personal responsibility
Reinforce and measure
  • Lecture, Case Studies, Scenario based practical assignments - group and individual
  • Formative: Practical Scenario - practicing learned skill sets - group and individual Summative: Assignment, quizzes, exams

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is the formal evaluation and credit-granting process whereby candidates may obtain credits for prior learning. Prior learning includes the knowledge competencies and skills acquired, in both formal and informal ways, outside of post-secondary education. Candidates may have their knowledge, skills and competencies evaluated against the learning outcomes as defined in the course outline. Please review the Assessment Methods Glossary for more information on the Learning Portfolio assessment methods identified below.

The method(s) that are used to assess prior learning for this course may include:

  • Challenge Exam (results recorded as a % grade and added to student’s CGPA)
  • Learning Portfolio (results reflected as SAT and not added to student’s CGPA)
  • Ontario Police College Credential, RCMP Certification Credential.

Please contact the Program Coordinator for more details.

Academic Regulations

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of the College Academic Regulations. The Academic Regulations apply to all applicants to Humber and all current students enrolled in any program or course offered by Humber, in any location. Information about academic appeals is found in the Academic Regulations.  

Anti-Discrimination Statement

At Humber College, all forms of discrimination and harassment are prohibited. Students and employees have the right to study, live and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. If you need assistance on concerns related to discrimination and harassment, please contact the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion or the Office of Student Conduct.

Accessible Learning Services

Humber strives to create a welcoming environment for all students where equity, diversity and inclusion are paramount. Accessible Learning Services facilitates equal access for students with disabilities by coordinating academic accommodations and services.  Staff in Accessible Learning Services are available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate accommodations. If you require academic accommodations, contact:

Accessible Learning Services

North Campus: (416) 675-6622 X5090

Lakeshore Campus: (416) 675-6622 X3331 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is essentially honesty in all academic endeavors. Academic integrity requires that students avoid all forms of academic misconduct or dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating on tests or exams or any misrepresentation of academic accomplishment.

Disclaimer

While every effort is made by the professor/faculty to cover all material listed in the outline, the order, content, and/or evaluation may change in the event of special circumstances (e.g. time constraints due to inclement weather, sickness, college closure, technology/equipment problems or changes, etc.). In any such case, students will be given appropriate notification in writing, with approval from the Dean (or designate) of the School.

Copyright

Copyright is the exclusive legal right given to a creator to reproduce, publish, sell or distribute his/her work. All members of the Humber community are required to comply with Canadian copyright law which governs the reproduction, use and distribution of copyrighted materials. This means that the copying, use and distribution of copyright- protected materials, regardless of format, is subject to certain limits and restrictions. For example, photocopying or scanning an entire textbook is not allowed, nor is distributing a scanned book.

See the Humber Libraries website for additional information regarding copyright and for details on allowable limits.


Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning • 2023/2024.