Program with community policing centres a prime example of value of experiential learning
When Nina Bennett joined the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) as Program Manager of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), she quickly recognized its potential in training future public safety professionals.
“Community-engaged learning is the most meaningful way for students to learn, especially for those aiming to be first responders,” Bennett said. “It helps students understand the real-world complexity of the issues they study in the classroom.”
Bennett’s first goal was to introduce WIL to the Law Enforcement Studies Diploma (LESD) program, where many students plan to become police officers. Unlike paramedic students, who gain field experience through required practicums, LESD students often struggle to secure related work experience before being hired by law enforcement agencies.
To help, Bennett partnered with Vancouver’s community policing centres (CPCs) to create a summer program where students assist in promoting and representing the CPCs at events, conduct crime prevention initiatives, and support community efforts like cleanups and speed-watch programs.
The program has grown steadily from eight participants in 2022, its first year, to 19 in 2024. It’s an elective course, and students must apply to participate, going through an interview process with JIBC and CPCs to ensure a good fit, noted Melanie Chernoff, Program Director, Academic Programs for the Justice & Public Safety Division. In addition to the field placement, the students attend seminars and produce reflections on what they learn from the experience.
Gain work experience from front lines of community policing
Students gain a first-hand insight into community policing, emphasizing the importance of tailored community strategies and crime prevention efforts like community and graffiti cleanups, which foster a sense of care and ownership within a neighbourhood. “It’s not all about enforcement,” said Chernoff.
The program also introduces students to various career paths related to public safety, including roles in non-profit organizations, youth work, and community engagement. They gain essential life skills, such as communication and conflict resolution, by interacting with community members and learning how to de-escalate potentially tense situations. People often mistake CPCs for regular police stations, Chernoff explained, and the students learn to navigate and refer them to the appropriate resources to help solve their issues.
“Classroom to community, community to classroom – that’s what it’s all about,” Chernoff said.
Students see substantial benefits from WIL
The impact of the program is tangible. One former student was hired to manage the CPC they worked at, while others have continued to volunteer at the centres, with a few even receiving recognition by the Vancouver Police Department for their contributions. These experiences provide students with valuable networking opportunities, advancing their career prospects.
This program is a perfect example of how work-integrated learning can benefit both students and the wider community. As Bennett emphasized, “It’s crucial that future public safety professionals gain real-world experience at the community level.”
This program – which highlights the power of relationship-building – and its impact on CPCs is currently being explored in a JIBC research project. Through these partnerships, students gain invaluable insights and experiences that prepare them for successful careers in public safety
For more information on work-integrated learning at JIBC, visit Work-Integrated Learning.