Promote Safety and Collaboration in Your Community

Peace Officer Standards Training – Approved Course

Stackable Course Credit Logo Today’s police officer must be more complete in their capabilities, more community focused, and at the same time more aware of how global events can affect neighborhood concerns. To accomplish this, public safety must be a shared responsibility. At the heart of this shared responsibility is what is called community policing. Community policing is a philosophy that promotes working in partnership with a community to prevent and/or address crime based on a collaborative approach (President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, 2015). It is a way of policing that incorporates the community’s voice.

Community policing can help prevent crimes before they happen, increase trust, and improve community perception and citizen satisfaction. There are many ways a police department can effectively incorporate best practices, such as procedural justice, into their community policing philosophy.

Building Our Team Through Community Policing is a free community policing program that provides a framework to accomplish this, including best practices for incorporating a public trust building approach through:

Preventing crime by collaborating
Understanding what is meant by a guardian approach
Making quality of life the end game
Embracing smart policing initiatives
Developing law enforcement staff
Adopting “best practices” in policing
Promoting both an officer/community safety mindset

Working in law enforcement is honorable, noble work, and this program can help you navigate working in these incredibly challenging times. This program provides practical best practice topics that all focus on enhancing current partnerships and fostering new ones with your community. Add tools to your toolbox that support a systematic approach to problem solving that can help you navigate the myriad of challenges faced by law enforcement today. Through this unique program, law enforcement professionals will learn ways to build and engage in community policing.

Plus, participants of this program can earn eight hours of POST credit for FREE through December 31, 2021!

Program Details

Building Our Team Through Community Policing is a free, seven-unit online program designed to provide you with practical skills for problem solving and building community policing in your community. Through a combination of self-paced and a live, online session, you will build your skills in community policing using scenarios from real officers in the field, based on real situations and lessons learned.

Participants can earn eight hours of POST credit. Those looking to earn a bachelor’s degree can use this program to waive an academic course in a program at National University through prior learning assessment.

Unit 1: Ties to the Community
Unit 2: A Two-Way Street
Unit 3: The Needs of the Community
Unit 4: Balance of Power
Unit 5: Building “We” Out of “Us and Them”
Unit 6: Opportunities and Strengths
Unit 7: Live Synchronous Session (ONLINE ONLY)

Program availability, course length, class schedules, and modality vary. Visit NU.edu for details.
Scholarship eligibility requirements apply. See website for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the program cost?

The program is free for California law enforcement personnel through June 30, 2021.

Can a partner tuition reduction scholarship be used to reduce the cost of the program?

No, tuition reduction scholarships cannot be used for the program. The program is free.

Is this program eligible for federal financial aid funding considering the partnership scholarship is not applicable?

No, this program is free and does not qualify for federal financial aid.

Do I have to enroll in an academic program at National University to participate?

No, you can participate in just the professional development program, Building Our Team Through Community Policing.

Can I earn course credit?

This program may be used as prior learning if you decide to enroll in a bachelor’s program at National University. Students who complete the entire program can speak with their advisor about waiving program requirements through a prior learning assessment.

If I am already an NU student, can I still take the program and receive course credit?

Students who are enrolled at NU are able to participate in the program, but are not able to have program requirements waived through prior learning assessment. The opportunity to have program requirements waived is only available for new students.

Can I earn continuing education credit (CEU)?

Yes, you can earn 8.0 CEU of POST credit.

What are the eligibility requirements for someone to enroll?

This program is open to anyone working in law enforcement in the state of California. This includes sworn officers and civilians working in any law enforcement agency in California.

Who is the ideal student for this program?

The program is relevant for all individuals working in law enforcement, including sworn officers and civilian professionals. Enrollment is limited currently to those in the state of California only.

Where do I go to register?

Visit Building Our Team Through Community Policing to register.

Do I need to enroll for a specific start date or course term?

The program is self-paced; there is no specific start or end time for the program. You can complete the first six hours of the self-paced portion of the program at your own pace and enroll in the live two-hour session.

Is there rolling registration?

The program is self-paced. There is no specific start or end time and no specific start term — just truly open enrollment. Students can complete the program in a day or across a month, if they would like. Students will have the ability to interact with other learners but will not be tied to a cohort as they move through the program, allowing students to move at their own pace.

How long will it take to complete the program?

The program is designed to be eight hours in total time. Six hours are self-paced and asynchronous so that you can take it on your time, on your schedule. The last two hours are an online, live, synchronous session that will be scheduled to allow you to interact with peers across the state of California or within your community.

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Four-Week Classes

Focus on one subject at a time — one month at a time — and finish your degree faster.

75+ Degree Programs

Choose from associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, plus credentials and certificates.

Online or On-site

Study when and where it’s convenient for you with evening, weekend, and online classes.

Year-Round Enrollment

Apply or transfer any time. Classes start monthly, and applications are accepted year round.

On-site Locations

Attend class and learn on-site at locations across California.

Military Friendly

As a Yellow Ribbon school, we offer tuition discounts to servicemembers and dependents.