Public Services

The Public Career Safety pathway prepares students with a broad-based foundational knowledge in careers that involve public safety. The educational foundation will assist students who wish to pursue related professional training at the postsecondary level. Students will gain experience through classroom instruction, hands-on training, and community exercises. The evolving integration of state public safety organizations, their connections with federal and state intelligence and security agencies, interoperability and coordination of effort, and the shared mission to protect the public in a post-9/11 world are areas of emphasis for the pathway. The careers included in this pathway primarily address law enforcement services, homeland and cyber security services, and correctional services.

This course meets the University of California/California State University “g” (College Preparatory Elective) entrance requirements.

Introduction to Law introduces students to the U.S. legal system, including constitutional, criminal, and civil law. Students learn about legal concepts, historical foundations, and principles and procedures of law, experiencing law and justice as dynamic forces, shaped by people and events over time. Students understand the role of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, learning why and how laws are created, enforced, interpreted, and changed. They look at the relationship between law, public policy, and advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels of government. They learn the foundations of criminal law with a focus on crimes against the person and the foundations of civil law with a focus on strict product liability and negligence. Finally, students explore civil and human rights issues and the role of advocacy and civics in reforming our legal system.

Articulation with Mt. SAC (Course ADJU 1, ADJU 3)

This course meets the University of California/California State University “g” (College Preparatory Elective) entrance requirements.

Prerequisite: Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement

This course is designed as an introduction to the field of forensic science. This will provide students with the entry-level skills for future opportunities in this field. The course will introduce the students to crime scene investigation, photographing of the crime scene, collection and preservation of evidence, fingerprint techniques; including comparison, rolling of prints, pattern identification and the Henry Classification. Students will have the opportunity to participate in work-based learning/Community Classroom.

This course meets the University of California/California State University “g” (College Preparatory Elective) entrance requirements.

Prerequisite: None

Law Enforcement Academy is intended to provide students with an educational and practical orientation into the law enforcement profession. Students will have the type of quality experience that will permit them to better understand and appreciate the law enforcement profession and to facilitate their acceptance by departmental personnel. At the center of each unit in the course are key assignments that involve substantial reading, critical thinking, collaborating, writing, listening, and speaking. Student will participate in simulations, mock trials, multimedia presentations, scenarios, and debates. In addition, throughout the year, students explore legal, public services, and criminal justice career pathways through interaction with industry professionals.

This course meets the University of California/California State University “g” (College Preparatory Elective) entrance requirements. 

Prerequisite: Completion of the Public Safety Career Pathway core courses culminating in a “B” average and completion of Pathway area of concentration courses culminating in a yearly “B” average in each class.

Senior Seminar is a one-year course offered to senior students who are completing the Career Certification Program in the Public Safety Career Pathway. This course includes a 36-hour internship, which provides students with a supervised practical workplace experience. Students complete an extensive research project, which is presented both orally and in writing. Students also develop a portfolio, which will help them organize and present a collection of their work for the purpose of assessment as well as for presentation to prospective employers. They also enhance their employment skills by participating in an interview with a panel of judges. Upon successful completion of this course, students will receive a certificate of completion.

This course meets the University of California/California State University “g” (College Preparatory Elective) entrance requirements.