NCJ Number
51098
Journal
Criminal Law Bulletin Volume: 14 Issue: 5 Dated: (SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 441-446
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE REQUIREMENT OF A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE FOR POLICE RECRUITS IS ANALYZED. A VIRGINIA CASE IS CITED.
Abstract
AT THE TIME OF THIS STUDY, 6.5 PERCENT OF POLICE AGENCIES WITH 50 OR MORE OFFICERS, 2.4 PERCENT OF SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS, AND O.3 PERCENT OF POLICE AGENCIES REQUIRED POLICE RECRUITS TO HAVE A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE. HOWEVER RIGID CIVIL SERVICE LAWS, POLICE UNION OPPOSITION, RANK AND FILE MORALE, AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION HAVE BEEN CITED BY POLICE EXECUTIVES AS FACTORS WHICH DISCOURAGE THE REQUIREMENT OF COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR POLICE APPLICANTS. A 1972 CASE STUDY OF A SUIT AGAINST THE ARLINGTON COUNTY, VA., POLICE DEPARTMENT BY 112 POLICE OFFICERS (111 WHITE AND 1 BLACK) FOR NEWLY IMPOSED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS OF 60 COLLEGE CREDITS, AND AN EDUCATIONAL SALARY INCENTIVE PLAN WHICH PAID HIGHER SALARIES TO COLLEGE EDUCATED OFFICERS IS REVIEWED. THE COURT HELD THAT COLLEGE TRAINED POLICE PERFORM MORE EFFECTIVELY ON THE JOB. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHARACTER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BE REVIEWED IN TERMS OF THE PROCESS OF PROFESSIONALIZATION. THE EMPIRICAL RESEARCH PRESENTED AS EVIDENCE IN THIS CASE IS SAID TO BE LACKING IN MEASURES OF CONTENT VALIDITY BECAUSE THE FULL ARRAY OF POLICE BEHAVIOR IN WORK SETTINGS WERE NOT REFLECTED. IT IS STATED THAT PROPER ASSESSMENT, BY SOCIAL SCIENCE STANDARDS BE UNDERTAKEN TO DETERMINE THE QUESTION OF WHETHER EDUCATION IS JOB RELATED OR COST PROHIBITIVE. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS SHOULD ADOPT COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR POLICE RECRUITS. FOOTNOTES AND CASE STUDIES ARE PROVIDED. (JCP)