Essay on Educational Requiremenmts for Police Officers

CALEA (yr) reviews procedures and policies of agencies and has a specific Law Enforcement Accreditation Program to enhance law enforcement as a profession to internationally accepted standards of other law enforcement agencies.Almost as far as a century ago, The Wickersham Commission and the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice indicated the need of higher educational training within the officer selection process (Rydberg & Taylor, 2010). Within a variety of different police officer ranks and positions; research conducted by Rydberg & Taylor (2010) confirmed that possessing a college degree influenced officers’: use of discretion, force, the inclination to arrest while on daily duty, and lastly a reduction of authoritarian characteristics. For the very same reason, Gustafson & McClellan (2012) also agree and add that officer education: lowered numbers of citizen complaints, provided higher levels of critical thinking skills, and empathically embraced diversity more; as part of the respect to provide to the community as public servants. Furthermore they believed the perceived professionalism of officers would be elevated, impressing upon surrounding communities as a superior, efficiently retained increase in standards; enabling additional benefits to: officers, social discourse, and the law enforcement industry as a whole (Gustafson & McClellan, 2012). Also, with the bureaucratic system of operations within law enforcement, police officers start at the very bottom of the hierarchical chain are able to work their way up to higher positions in ranks through promotions; higher education of individual officers’ aids in receiving promotions

As a former law enforcement official, I know first-hand the strict standards and requirements each officer must continually meet in order

This is very true in today's police work. A police department has to be able to stand the test of time. By this I mean must be capable of enduring changes in government, and be able to react to any situation they may encounter. The

A college education can have many benefits for police officers. A college education can provide officers with skills that can only be learned with through a college education. These skills can be applied in the workplace in order for them to perform their duties in a more efficient manner. A higher education can also open doors for advancement within a department. A college education is an invaluable asset, helpful not only in a professional sense, but also in a personal sense.

The scholars frequently propose education and attainment of a college degree as a sure way of enhancing the police performance and attitudes (Roberg & Bonn, 2004). Unfortunately, scientific studies regarding the impact of education on policing is limited, with weak methodologies and are usually contradictory. In recent studies, Goldstein, Carter & Sapp (1990) concluded that if a college degree makes the police officers more tolerant, ethical, moral and if they use recommended force against the citizens, they would be expected to be less supportive of police use of excessive force and highly supportive of the use of proper rules and regulations on use of excessive force (ANZPAA, 2012).

Rachel, I agree with your comments about higher education in the police system. The textbook listed several possible ways that higher education could benefit officers, but after reading them I believe that by acquiring a higher education some of these things would be not just be possible but would be accurate. One of the points it talks about in the text that I think would help officers greatly in their field was the point that stated that it would teach “the history of the country, the democratic process, individual rights, and the values of a free society” (Samaha 167). It is important that police officers understand why their job was created in the first place. After they understand this, it is easier for them to carry out their jobs. Some

(Paoline, Eugene A. III; Terrill, William; Rossler, Michael T. (2015) pg. 51) One of these being believe or bias system. According to a study done it was found that college educated officers were found to be “more open minded in their believe systems, less punitive minded, less authoritarian, more accepting of ethical issues, and more favorably oriented toward legal restrictions and more discretionary oriented”. (Paoline, Eugene A. III; Terrill, William; Rossler, Michael T. (2015) pg. 53) Something else that was found was a correlation between higher education and use of force. It was found by Rydberg Jason, Terrill William (2010) “that higher educated officers not only resorted to using force less often but, that they also were less likely to discharge their weapon. “officers with a college degree were more than 41% less likely to discharge their firearms than officers with a high school diploma or some college but no degree”. (pg. 99) In a world like today with everyday something being on the news and making it so that I cannot go two seconds while looking at Facebook to seeing something about police, shootings and racial issues making the qualifications to be a police officer at least, an entry level one changing from a high school diploma to at least an associate’s degree if not a bachelors would make things better.

Requiring a bachelor’s degree to become a police officer can decrease the number of wanting individuals because of the education, time, and money. While there are positives that come from a police officer having a bachelor’s degree, the negatives are also understandable. The positives to having a bachelor’s degree are often selfish, leaving the individuals who are unable to obtain a bachelor’s degree at a disadvantage, causing less people to become police

Should police officers have a more proficient education? Most agencies enforced police officers to have a high school diploma or GED at a minimum, all though some agencies require a bachelor's degree for a more advanced position especially those at a federal level. I agree that law enforcement officers should required to earn at least a bachelor's degree before serving.

Legal requirements, the police departments, and the community determine what is considered to be appropriate activity and behavior concerning the police role. These conflicting expectations about the police have resulted in conflicting expectations of the police as to their true role; are they crime fighters or social service providers, are their actions legalistic or are they political, and are the police proactive or reactive. These conflicting expectations further complicate the performance of individual police officers and add emotional duress to the lives of officers and certainly may add to what is considered deviant behavior of the

To move forward in the career of law enforcement may require more education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics “Education requirements range from a high school diploma to a college, or higher, degree” (US Bureau of Labor Statistics). Progressing ranks could require higher levels of education such as college degrees. Some departments could possible require you have a 2-year college degree (“How to Become a Police Officer”). Each department may have different education requirements based on the position you are trying to become or the level of expertise required. Testing consists of a written exam, physical agility test and an oral board interview. After passing the written exam, applicants may sign up for the physical agility test. A good education can help prepare you for the typical work day as an officer.

In a recent study done in Florida shows that 75 percent of disciplinary actions were committed by officers who only have a high school diploma. After reading these fact it is obviously that high school graduate are not capable of making reasonable thoughts. It also implies that police officers with a superior education will approach the situation in a different way.

The majority of police departments did not require their police force to possess a college degree. What we see now in society is the increased pressure for police officers to be college educated. The reasoning in the wake of this motivation is the demand of a rounded professional officer over experience. College educated officers are people of the community that are take pride of their qualifications. College educated officers tend to be independent thinkers to solve problems and issues. Offers with a college degree are very successful with social and reasoning skills while performing duties in the community.

Studies have concluded that higher education has an impact on the views of police officers towards racial/ethnic minorities, as well as on levels of professionalism and on standards of service to the community (Archbold, Hasselli & Manist, 2008)

Claim: This essay argues that though having tertiary qualifications can be a helpful tool, it should not be a requirement because everything that is needed to know is learned at the police academy and on the job with other experienced officers.