Protection, Security & Investigation at Lambton College

Ready for a career in protection, security and investigation? Come and train for this growing market with an all-encompassing education at Lambton College.

This program shares the first year of study with the Police Foundations program where students are introduced to a broad theoretical foundation in human relations and an overview of the criminal justice system. Second year of study prepares graduates for a successful career as a security professional in both the private and public law enforcement sectors. Students earn certification in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training from the Crisis Prevention Institute and Introduction to Incident Management System (IMS-100) from Emergency Management Ontario. An emphasis is also placed on rapidly changing technology, intelligence and analytics in the security industry.

Opportunities to apply theoretical learning in our new criminal justice lab, allows students to develop the skills necessary to deal with the wide range of situations security personnel face daily. Students gain volunteer hours and field-related experience with Lambton College's student-run Safe Walk program.

Lambton College's faculty represent a diverse representation of the security field from Border Services, police, security and other related professionals. This, coupled with small class sizes, will ensure students receive a highly successful educational experience.

Experiential learning opportunities include a field placement component that occurs in the fourth semester of the program. Students combine theory and practice while working in a professional security environment. Placement also assists in clarifying career goals and developing interpersonal and professional skills appropriate to the student's practice. Eligibility is dependent upon the student maintaining a 2.0 grade point average (GPA). Upon graduation, students are eligible to write the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services licensing examinations which are mandatory for private investigation and security guards in Ontario. Graduates are eligible to apply for dual licenses as an investigator/security guard.

Note: Any applicant entering this program must determine employment entrance criteria set by individual employers and must ensure fulfillment of those criteria. A criminal record could be a serious impediment to employment. 

Employment Opportunities

Our graduates find employment with: military police, special constables (transit police), by-law enforcement, Canada Border Services, correctional services (federal and provincial), police services — federal, provincial, regional or municipal, loss prevention/retail security, alcohol and gaming (casinos/slots), industrial/corporate security, and private security/investigation.

A current analysis of the employment of those involved in both private protection services and police has established a widening gap between the growing number of those engaged in the field of private security and the number of police. The development of private property for commercial and entertainment use and the established civil responsibility for employee and client safety on private property has created a broad market for security professionals that is predicted to continue to grow into the next decade.