Summary

Overview

The ISLET Initiative is an NSF funded project undertaken by Century College and its collaborators to deepen the science and technology skills of licensed Law Enforcement personnel.

With ever more sophisticated terrorism a threat to our nation's security, Century College has undertaken an effort to directly counter the increasing risk by arming law enforcement students and currently licensed professionals with updated scientific, technical, and investigative education and skills. The project intends to educate law enforcement personnel more deeply in investigative sciences and technologies, and to establish a regional source for curriculum planning, course development and delivery, faculty training, and information dissemination. Curriculum supporting a new two-year degree, new certifications, new continuing education modules, as well as articulation agreements with four-year institutions will be developed. Close collaboration with stakeholders, including the Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST) board will ensure new materials remain relevant and in compliance with new and existing licensing requirements.

Rationale

Expanding technological expertise is critical for law enforcement personnel today. Response to the array of modern threats requires a complex weaving together of science (chemistry, biology, physics) and technology (information processing/ sharing, advanced computer applications, knowledge management) skills. Education must incorporate concepts related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) devices into curriculum. While the Federal Government has developed courses and modules, few changes to academic standards, certificates or degree programs have been made - vast gaps remain in educational resources. Security-related science and technology skills must be integrated into the programs that establish Law Enforcement credentials, and into the minds and hands of our Law Enforcement workforce. In preparing for this project, Century has built on its strong academic programs and relationships with key government, law enforcement, community, business, and industry organizations to form a 20+-member steering committee, and to conduct initial project planning. Project members from POST, COPS, HMTRI, 3M, the Department of Public Safety, the Minnesota State College and University System, and others will use collaboration, technology transfer, blended learning, and knowledge management techniques to deliver on project objectives including: developing learning objectives, identifying curriculum gaps, evaluating available resources, and developing and delivering new, science and technology-oriented education materials to new Law Enforcement students, and currently licensed Peace Officers.

Planned Impact

Direct participation by industry members (3M and others) enables deepening of technology experiences, and ensures students are gaining highly relevant, multi-purpose skills. Through POST participation, regional certification requirements are met, and new curriculum, standards and/or best practices are shared with peer Peace Officer licensing agencies, nationwide. Through its COPS and HMTRI members, the project will incorporate anti-terrorism content currently being taught in the field, and reciprocate by providing new educational modules, information, and best practices to these agencies and their security-focused stakeholders. It is expected that 100 new students will enroll in the new degree program, and 400 current Peace officers will participate through continuing education, directly at Century. 25,000 additional regional Law Enforcement professionals and a similar number of National Guard, transportation, and/or private security workers are candidates for new training. Four Century faculty and 40 regional faculty members will be trained in course concepts and materials. Participation in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System will drive regional dissemination of curricula to its 32 members, as well as to the 2000-member American Association of Community Colleges.