Beyond the Classroom: Work-Integrated Learning in Vancouver Community Policing Centers and Community Impact
Principal Investigator: Melanie Chernoff
Research Team: Nina Bennett, Dr. Ron Bowles, Dawn Ursuliak
Project Dates: April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2027
Project Funding: $360,000
Project Summary:
The Beyond the Classroom: Work-Integrated Learning in Vancouver Community Policing Centers and Community Impact proposal explores the integration of law enforcement students from the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) into Vancouver's Community Policing Centers (CPCs) as volunteers. This initiative aims to enhance experiential education by providing students with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings at three CPCs: Mount Pleasant, Chinese Community, and Grandview-Woodland. The project systematically investigates how these Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences affect public safety outcomes, student professional development, community interactions, and collaboration between educational institutions and CPCs. By fostering civic responsibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), the project empowers future law enforcement professionals to engage with diverse communities sensitively. Ultimately, it aims to cultivate a generation of socially conscious law enforcement agents, contributing to safer and more cohesive communities.
Partners: Mount Pleasant Community Policing Centre
Chinese Community Policing Centre
Grandview-Woodland Community Policing Centre
Outcomes and Benefits:
The project emphasizes the critical role of partnerships in community policing, bridging law enforcement agencies with community-run organizations like (CPCs and educational institutions to enhance EDI. By integrating law enforcement students from 麻花精品into experiential learning opportunities at CPCs, this initiative aims to build social capital, which is associated with reduced crime and violence. The project will systematically investigate the impact of these Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences on public safety outcomes, student professional development, and community perceptions of police legitimacy. It seeks to identify innovative strategies to address trends in violent crime while fostering effective collaborations between educational institutions and CPCs. By engaging students in community policing initiatives, the project not only enhances community engagement but also develops critical skills in communication and problem-solving, promoting a more inclusive approach to law enforcement. Ultimately, this initiative aspires to create safer, more resilient communities and serves as a model for similar efforts across Canada and beyond, demonstrating the power of combining academic learning with practical applications in public safety.
Funding and Support: This project draws on funds research supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) through the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) grant, administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Project Status: Active
Beyond the Classroom: Work-Integrated Learning in Vancouver Community Policing Centers and Community Impact is supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
