NCJ Number
145788
Journal
Aslet Journal Volume: 8 Issue: 5 Dated: (September/October 1993) Pages: 17- 22
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
As law enforcement approaches the next century, an issue confronting county sheriff and State police merit boards and local municipal police commissions involves recruit education requirements.
Abstract
Research indicates certain advantages of higher education for police recruits: greater knowledge of procedures, functions, and principles; better appreciation of the professional role of police officers and their importance in the criminal justice system; more desirable psychological qualities of police officers, such as alertness, empathy, flexibility, initiative, and intelligence; greater range of interpersonal skills related to communication and leadership; greater ability to analyze situations and to exercise discretion independently; and strong moral character. Studies show that college-educated police officers perform their tasks better than their noncollege counterparts, that college-educated police officers are generally better communicators, and that college-educated police officers are more professional and more dedicated to policing as a career rather than as a job. Disadvantages of higher education requirements for police recruits include the following: degree requirements will negatively affect minority recruitment; college-educated police officers tend to become bored quickly, often expect special treatment and quick promotions, and sometimes cause animosity within the ranks; police officers with no college can develop the necessary skills through inservice and on- the-job training; and a college requirement limits the pool of prospective police applicants. Currently, the minimum educational requirement for 9 of 10 local police departments is a high school diploma; about 6 percent require education beyond high school, usually a 2-year college degree. Less than 0.5 percent of all police departments require new officers to have a 4-year college degree. The author believes that the advantages of requiring some college for police recruits outweigh the disadvantages and that college courses should be offered in conjunction with practical training. 13 references and 1 table