Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice

Purpose

This qualification is designed to provide opportunities for the qualifying learner to access positions in

• Public law enforcement agencies.
• Metropolitan police departments.
• Safety and security.
• Military police.
• Private security agencies.
• Private investigators.

Rationale

Criminal Justice is a career, requiring exceptional skills and knowledge. Security and risk control practice is fast becoming a specialised field of study in the safety and security industry. This qualification is directed at a broad range of law enforcement agencies including the private security industry, correctional institutions, as well as the broader field of policing. Learners will be afforded the opportunity to improve their knowledge within the criminal justice environment. The learner will acquire a comprehensive and interrelated understanding of current and relevant policing theories and practices prevalent in law enforcement and crime prevention.

The qualification will also facilitate access to, mobility and progression within education and training as well as progression along a learning path for learners who:

• Have worked in the security industry or related field for many years, but have not obtained a formal qualification.
• Wish to extend their range of skills and knowledge of this field of study so that they can become competent law enforcement officials.

It is assumed that the learner is competent in the language of instruction of the Institution and the general theoretical, practical and academic knowledge accomplished at NQF Level 4.

Recognition of Prior Learning

An application for prior learning will be considered in accordance with the prescribed policies and procedures of the Institution. It implies that learning has been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal means and is recognised for the fulfilment of the requirements of this qualification or part thereof. It is required that through assessment practices, the learner shall demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills and values implicit in this qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning is performed by means of integrated assessment.

Recognition of Prior Learning may allow for access and credits will be granted where competency in a specific module is established.

Access to the Qualification

A learner entering this qualification must have achieved a National Senior Certificate granting access to Higher Certificate study or a National Certificate Vocational at NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate study or a Further Education and Training Certificate at NQF Level 4 or equivalent, with Mathematics/Mathematics Literacy and English.

This qualification consists of six modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory modules

• Communication and Life Skills, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Legislation, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Criminal Justice, 20 Credits.
• Principles of Policing, 20 Credits.
• Community Policing, 20 Credits.

Optional modules (choose one)

• Security Practice, 20 Credits.
• Traffic and Metropolitan Policing, 20 Credits.

At the end of this qualification the learners will be able to

1. Implement a law enforcement strategy by applying the key principles of law enforcement in a non-SAPS environment.
2. Participate in the processes of the criminal justice system by applying the pre-trial procedures required by law, conducting preliminary criminal investigations and presenting evidence in a court of law.
3. Record the statements of persons allegedly connected to committing an offence in a manner that reflects the requirements for criminal liability.
4. Explain the basic principles of criminology.
5. Explain the nature and elements of selected common law crimes and statutory law offences and the impact of the Bill of Rights on law enforcement.
6. Adhere to professional conduct and organisational ethics.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

• Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions, using critical thinking have been made.
• Work effectively with others as a member of a team, organisation or legal community.
• Organise and manage the learner and the learner's activities responsibly and effectively.
• Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
• Communicate effectively using visual and language skills for written and oral presentations.
• Use technology effectively and responsibly.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving in a law enforcement context does not exist in isolation.
• Demonstrate an awareness of their role in participating as a responsible citizen of the country.
• Demonstrate an awareness of their role and display a requisite level of sensitivity to diversity and culture across a range of social contexts.
• Interpret data in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The approach towards law enforcement is discussed.
• The main components of a law enforcement strategy are described.
• The process required to implement a law enforcement strategy is explained.
• The way in which the principles of customer care are applied in a law enforcement environment is explained.
• The application of the problem-solving approach to law enforcement is described.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The processes required by the criminal justice system to bring an offender to book are explained.
• The role of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in law enforcement is described.
• The steps required to be completed before a case gets to court are discussed.
• The manner in which preliminary criminal investigations are conducted is explained.
• The required presentation of evidence as presented in a court of law is explained and demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The requirements for criminal liability that must be contained in a statement are explained.
• The principles that are required for a statement are described.
• The layout of a statement is discussed.
• The regulatory requirements for statements under oath or affirmation are explained.
• A statement that complies with the above criteria is recorded.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The principles of criminology applicable to law enforcement in a non-SAPS environment are explained.
• The causes of criminal behaviour are discussed.
• The relative utility of various explanations of the causes of crime are assessed.
• Emerging, critical and global versions of criminology are explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The elements of selected common law crimes and statutory law are described.
• The way in which the elements of selected common law crimes and statutory law find application in the law enforcement process is explained.
• The way in which Human Rights are addressed in the Bill of Rights find application in the law enforcement process is explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• The requirement for adherence to professional conduct is explained.
• The ethical principles that should be applied in the law enforcement process are described.

Integrated Assessment

This qualification will use both formative and summative assessment to assess the competencies of the learners. This integrated assessment will be in the form of tests, assignments, case studies and a portfolio of work. All assessment opportunities will be internally and externally moderated.