Law Enforcement Fundamentals 1

Enrollment Message

Students need access to a webcam or video recording device.

Course Description

Ever wondered what it takes to be a police officer? This course introduces you to the essential skills and tools law enforcement officers (LEOs) use daily to keep communities safe. You’ll learn about safety protocols, how officers protect themselves from harmful substances, and the equipment they rely on, like patrol cars, fingerprint kits, and self-defense tools. In addition, you’ll explore how officers communicate effectively with dispatch, give verbal commands, and make decisions about using force while gaining insights into conducting traffic stops, writing accurate citations, and investigating accidents while ensuring safety. Beyond equipment and procedures, this course highlights the importance of community leadership. You’ll learn how officers protect citizens’ rights, build trust, and understand the value of all people within the police force.

• Counts as a directed elective or elective for all diplomas

Course Goals

Upon completion of the course, students will…

• describe the history and development of modern policing.
• understand how policing began and how it has changed over time in the United States and around the world.
• identify the various roles and responsibilities in police work.
• explain different functions within law enforcement, including patrol, investigations, support services, and specialized units.
• explain the challenges and problems that police officers may face on the job
• recognize the physical, mental, and emotional difficulties that come with police work, including handling dangerous situations and making tough decisions.
• understand how stress affects police officers and how they cope with it
• discuss why police work can be stressful and learn healthy ways officers manage stress to stay safe and do their jobs well.
• analyze issues related to police use of force and public concerns
• explore real-world topics such as police brutality and the use of deadly force, and discuss their impact on communities and police departments.
• recognize the importance of organization and leadership in police departments
• describe how police departments are structured and why administrative work and leadership are essential to running an effective team.

Indiana Academic Standards

• Next Level Programs of Study Competencies

Units of Instruction

• Unit 1 Law Enforcement Safety Precautions
• Unit 2 Law Enforcement Equipment
• Unit 3 Use of Force
• Unit 4 Approach and Arrest Procedures
• Unit 5 Traffic Control Procedures
• Unit 6 Vehicle Accident Investigation
• Unit 7 Policing in a Democratic Society - Roles, Integrity, and Diversity in Law Enforcement

Grading/Evaluation

Indiana Online does not assign letter grades, grant credit for courses, nor issue transcripts or diplomas. A final score reported as a percentage of total points earned will be sent to students upon completion of a course. Your school of record can also access this score within the Student Information System, Genius. The final score will be shown as a percentage in Canvas and Genius. The student’s school of record will determine the letter grade based on their specific grading scale.

Students must complete at least 70% of the course and take all parts of the final exam(s) to have a score reported to their school of record. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a score of 0 reported to the school of record.

Assessments

Online assessments consist of formative and summative assessments represented by computer-graded multiple choice, teacher-graded writing assignments including hands-on projects, model building and other forms of authentic assessments. The course includes the minimum number of assessments

• 6 Discussions
• 14 Assignments
• 21 Quizzes

The assessments for this asynchronous course are weighted as follows

Teacher Contact Response Time

Students can use email or the private message system within Genius or Canvas to access highly qualified teachers when they need teacher assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside Canvas. The Teacher Information page of their course may describe additional communication options.

The teacher will respond to student inquiries (email, text, call) within one business day. Assignments will be graded and posted within two business days.

Expectations for Academic Conduct 

Student Handbook 

It is your responsibility to read the student handbook to understand all aspects of taking an online course including expectations for academic conduct. Contact your teacher if you have any questions. 

Assistance for Students with Accommodations

Indiana Online supports an inclusive learning environment for all students. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that hinder your full participation, such as inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos and podcasts, reasonable accommodations can be arranged.

Technology

Technology Requirements 

Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube. Please review the Indiana Online’s Technology Requirements.

Technical Skills Needed 

Basic technology skills necessary to locate and share information and files as well as interact with others in a Learning Management System (LMS), include the ability to

• download, edit, save, convert, and upload files
• download and install software
• use a messaging service similar to email
• communicate with others in online discussion or message boards, following basic rules of netiquette
• open attachments shared in messages
• create, save, and submit files in commonly used word processing program formats and as a PDF
• save a file as a .pdf
• copy and paste and format text using your mouse, keyboard, or an html editor’s toolbar menu
• insert images or links into a file
• search for information within a document using Ctrl+F or Command+F keyboard shortcuts
• work in multiple browser windows and tabs simultaneously
• activate a microphone or webcam on your device, and record and upload or link audio and/or video files
• use presentation and graphics programs
• follow an online pacing guide or calendar of due dates
• use spell-check, citation editors, and tools commonly provided in word processing tool menus
• create and maintain usernames and passwords

Technical Questions?  Please contact the Indiana Online Helpdesk.