Bakersfield College is introducing a new eight-week criminology course starting on March 15. 

The new course is titled CRIME B6-Introduction to Transformational Policing Model. “Transformational Policing Model (TPM) is an innovative 21st Century Policing Strategy developed to bridge the racial divide in America,” according to Tommy Tunson, BC professor, and former law enforcement officer. “TPM has a two-prong approach which emphasizes restoring trust to begin the healing process in society in general and focusing specifically on the Community of Color (COC) .” 

Tunson  explained that the course will train students and law enforcement participants on the roles and duties regarding the Criminal Justice System in America. He also informed that the course will explain the historical aspects of mistrust in American society and the different key concepts that the class will be exploring such as Constitutional Policing, Procedural Justice, Social Justice, U.S. Constitution, Police/Fire Defunding/Reformation. The class will also look at case studies. Tunson added, some of the case studies that will be examined will be on Michael Brown-Ferguson, George Floyd-Minnesota, Freddie Gray-Baltimore, and Walter Scott-South Carolina. 

According to Tunson, a few of the learning outcomes for this course will be on “recognizing the importance of Individual filters and key cultural diversity words and the historical analysis of distrust in COC.” He explained that students will understand the TPM as a police-community relationship and as a two-point approach. Tunson also stated that the course will help students “discuss external issues impacting police-community relations, examples include social, financial, pandemic, unemployment,  and other factors.” 

The course will be geared towards everyone. “The course is designed to host 50/50 participant/student members. Half law enforcement and half community members/students,” Tunson stated. He explained that the reason why it is set up like this is because it increases communication interactions and he believes that is where the trust and healing process begins. “It is anticipated the student enrollment will be largely due to the important subject matter. The anticipation is 40-50 students per session in regular semester courses,” Tunson stated. 

Tunson then explained that the reason he decided to create this course for students at BC is because he wanted them to have a chance to learn positive methods to support their country, society, and state. 

Due to the pandemic, the class will be taught online, according to Tunson “currently Zoom is the face-to-face version with canvas online modality the teaching method. This method of teaching is based on protecting our students and staff during this unprecedented pandemic in American history.” 

“The course is filling fast, it is important to register as soon as possible,” Tunson said. For students who are interested in the courses, they can email Tunson or former BPD Police Chief, Lyle Martin for more information.