Police Science - POLC
9 courses · Bakersfield College · 2026-2027 Catalog
POLC B100 Crime Prevention Strategies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
This course covers the fundamental theories of environmental criminology – rational choice perspectives, advanced routine activity theory, crime pattern theory, situational crime prevention, and problem-oriented policing – and shows how these theories can be used to diagnose the causes of specific crime problems, develop and implement solutions to these problems, and evaluate the effectiveness of solutions. It also examines criminal adaptation to prevention and how this can be measured and countered. This is an upper division course.
POLC B101 Advanced Criminal Investigation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours, 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- Successful completion of CRIM B8 or equivalent with a grade of C or better.
Students learn advanced applications of the principles of criminal investigation including the analysis of investigative techniques, criminal patterns and modus operandi, interviewing and interrogation strategies, collection and management of evidence, surveillance, and crime scene investigation. The course covers theories, philosophies and concepts related to suppression of crime. Students learn practical approaches to evidence identification; documentation of the location of evidence; crime scene sketching; and the collection and handling of evidence from the crime scene to the crime laboratory, and to presentation in court. The course includes lab exercises designed to reinforce important investigative skills. This is an upper division course.
POLC B103 Administration, Public Policy, and Public Relations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
Students learn the principles and applications of police administration, discretion, accountability, affirmative action, public relations, new technologies, and changing constitutional criminal procedures. This is an upper division course.
POLC B104 Witness Interviewing and Interrogation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
Provides students with the basic principles of, as well as tactics and techniques for, both accusatory and non-accusatory interviews. Students develop skills in preparing for the interview and interrogation with emphasis on planning and strategies. The course provides a basic format and fundamentals of specialized interviewing and interrogation methods in a criminal justice setting. Students will also learn, and be able to apply, ethical and constitutional requirements to interviewing and interrogation situations. This is an upper division course.
POLC B105 Cybercrime and Computer Forensics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
This course provides an overview of cybercrime and computer related crime issues facing businesses and the criminal justice system. Demonstrations and hands-on practice will reinforce topics such as how computers are used in crime, interview techniques, search warrants, evidence handling, chain of custody, identification and recovery of computer data, report writing, case preparation, and courtroom testimony. Upon completion, the students will be able to understand government response to cybercrime issues from a law enforcement perspective. This is an upper division course.
POLC B106 Traffic and Crowd Control
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours, 54 lab hours
Students will learn, develop, and be able to implement legal and ethical skills for defusing, mediating, and resolving disputes in order to protect their safety and the safety of others, as well as prevent the dispute from escalating. Students will be able to apply effective tactical principles involved in the management and control of crowds in order to ensure the protection of the First Amendment rights of the crowd as well as community safety. Students will learn, assess, and be able to apply the principles of traffic law set forth in the California Vehicle Code to effectively manage traffic as well as basic principles of traffic-related criminal investigations.. This is an upper division course.
POLC B107 Firearm and Non-Lethal Weapon Training
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours, 54 lab hours
Students will learn the competencies required for certification by Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) 80101. Students will engage in the use of firearms, which will include handgun familiarization, safety, care, cleaning and storage, and firearms range qualifications. Students will learn the correct use of non-lethal force such as baton, chemical agents, tazers, and physical restraints. Students will learn the ethical and legal requirements for the use of deadly and non-deadly force. This is an upper division course.
POLC B120 Senior Project
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- Successful completion of ENGL B100 or equivalent with a grade of C or better
Students in this course develop a criminal justice topic in the area of police, courts, corrections, or intelligence that is of interest to both the student and a faculty member who shall act as project advisor. The project selected will utilize competencies acquired in criminal justice and related courses. Students will either develop an independent project or work with an advisor on on-going research. The advisor will work with the student to define the project based on the student’s academic and career path. This is an upper division course.
POLC B121 Senior Seminar
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
Students will participate in a series of lectures with local professionals in the Police Sciences career field, as well as community leaders in areas such as municipal government and social services. This course will give students an overview of career opportunities, as well as job preparation activities that will prepare them for a position/career in criminal justice or a related field. Students will also analyze and assess the impact of policing and policing issues as they relate to local government, government agencies, and the community. This is an upper division course.