Higher Standards Lydia J. Osorio Criminal Justice 1010-048 Salt Lake Community College
ABSTRACT 1 There seem to be quite a few misconceptions and myths regarding police and higher education, there are many benefits and possible disadvantages of requiring a two-year degree or higher. One of the main issues, recruiting minority officers, seems to assume that potential candidates from the protected-class do not seek higher education as often as their male, white counterparts. In general, minority police officers tend to be first-generation college students, many of which come from an environment that has stressed education. These students want to work somewhere that values their hard-earned degrees. Police Chief Theron Bowman, of the Arlington Police Department, maintains the highest entry-level standards in Texas, yet has the most racially and ethnically diverse police force among major American cities (Bowman, 2006). Most of the federal agencies require at least a four year degree, with some leeway allowed for those with qualifying work experience. It is hard to foresee if requiring higher education will benefit the police department as a whole or limit their possible recruits. As American politician and educator Edward Everett once said, Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. Education truly opens up the mind and allows you to see the world from a new perspective; one of the many benefits of a college education is the ability to effectively communicate with people from all walks of life. A well-educated employee is more confident in their knowledge and abilities and is more willing to resolve issues in a logical and reasonable manner (Klipfel, 2006).
HIGHER STANDARDS 2 In law enforcement, it is especially important, that an officer possess effective communication skills as they are dealing with people all day long. A college education requires discipline and dedication, both sought after traits for potential law enforcement officers. While there are many reasons a department would like their officers to have a college education, research shows that one of the main benefits is that higher education helps maintain integrity and discipline. Departments that actively pursue matriculated officers have shown a decrease in on-the-job-injuries, disciplinary actions, citizen complaints and use of force (Mayo, 2006). Each police department and police chief, in conjunction with the cities they serve, determine what level of education their officers must possess to join the ranks; some will only consider officers with a bachelor s degree while others stick with the minimum police academy training and allow the officers to learn on the job. Each approach has its own benefits and certain disadvantages, the main focus should remain on recruiting qualified personnel that are dedicated to what they do and are willing to go that extra mile to ensure success. Although education is important, I feel just as strongly that education alone does not make a good law enforcement officer; there is nothing like on-the-job training to get you ready for the challenging task of becoming a police officer. For as many books, movies and stories there are about street crime, police work and what to expect there is nothing like running after that criminal yourself and experiencing the adrenaline rush. There are some things you cannot truly claim to know until you personally experience them, police work, in my opinion falls into this category. That is not to say that education is unimportant; being mentally prepared and
HIGHER STANDARDS 3 survival. possessing the necessary tools to perform your duties is crucial not only to success but to Education helps officers research and interpret the laws, rules, and regulations they need to apply to the various situations they encounter. Education also enhances their communication skills, allowing them to resolve many disputes with minimal physical confrontation (Klipfel, 2006). Communication is an important aspect of a police officer s job; they must learn to deal with people from all kinds of backgrounds, education levels, races and beliefs. Without a degree, police officers are at a disadvantage whenever they meet with people who do have a degree: community representatives, civil committees, neighborhood organizations, associations, and volunteers. Almost everyone in those categories will probably be better educated than police officers and this places them at risk of having their valuable insights and suggestions unheeded for lack of professional certification (Friedman, 2006). Police are the most visible government servants, they are at the front-line of government provided help-services and are often seen as the face of our government, yet they maintain the lowest education requirements in the service industry. Police provide endless help and are always there when we need them 24/7, they do the jobs that no one else wants to and run towards the danger that everyone one else is fleeing. Most people, however, think of the police in a negative way; they can tell you 10 reasons why the hate the police, how unfair they are and how they wish they would just go away. While there are those officers who are in the industry for all of the wrong reasons, the majority of those who choose to police our communities are hard-working,
HIGHER STANDARDS 4 honest, and dedicated men and women. Research has shown that officers with a at least an associate s degree have less need to be supervised, fewer incidents of disciplinary action, highly effective communication skills and less incidents of resorting to violence during their interactions with the public. Incidents of police misconduct and abuse of power concern everyone because these incidents directly and indirectly lead to loss of public trust and confidence. Anything that tarnishes the image and reputation of policing needs to be examined, and police officers at every level owe a duty to the profession to police themselves (Cunningham, 2006). The benefits of higher education for police officers has been proven time and again, and until all officers must attain requisite college degrees we can learn from those innovative departments that have benefited from their officers education and experience. One major hurtle that must be overcome is the prejudice new recruits can feel going in to the industry with a college education, as contradictory as it may seem there are many street experienced officers that look down upon those who come in with book smarts. Many officers feel threatened by new, smarter recruits and this can lead to negative experiences for everyone involved, which is why it is important that the department as a whole be willing to make changes and allow for existing officers to continue their own education and even provide assistance to those who cannot return on their own. There are even departments that offer cash incentives to those officers who attain college degrees, the focus should be on improving the individual officers education so they can in turn improve upon the department and their relationship with the communities they serve.
BIBLIOGRAPHY 5 Bowman, Theron (2006). The Chief s Perspective: Abolishing The Recruiting Myth. The Police Chief: The Professional Voice of Law Enforcement, August 2006. Friedman, Robert R. (2006). University Perspective: The Policing Profession In 2050. The Police Chief: The Professional Voice of Law Enforcement, August 2006. Klipfel, Bryan (2006). North Dakota Highway Patrol. The Police Chief: The Professional Voice of Law Enforcement, August 2006. Mayo, Louis (2006). College Education and Policing. The Police Chief: The Professional Voice of Law Enforcement, August 2006.