Explain Why And When Police Officers Need A Higher Education

Abstract In the beginning police officers were given a gun and handcuffs and told to enforce the law and keep the peace. Eventually through trial and error police academies were born. These academies would give officers the basic training they needed before they began their patrols. Most officers recruited by a law enforcement agency will have to meet certain requirements. This paper will focus on the educational requirement if any and if law enforcement officers need a higher education to exceed.

Introduction These days most police departments require some form of

As an officer for twenty years I have to agree with the above statement. One problem area where some officers seem to have problems with is reading and applying the state or federal laws when a crime has been committed. I have seen officers with degrees not have as much trouble applying laws then officers without college degrees. Police departments that have a minimum of four year degree requirement would have a more diverse workforce and would promote a culture of constant learning. The department would be involved with change where it is accepted and managed, and “where creativity in solving problems is sparked by exposure to diverse ideas alternative explanations “(CALEA, 2010). My current department is CALEA accredited, however we require at least 80 credit hours of college, 4 years military or 2 years of previous law enforcement. A lot of the officers I work with do have four year degrees and some are working on their master’s degree. Most of the supervisors do not have degrees. I believe through my experience a police department that requires college to be hired and to be promoted will be in the public eyes a more professional, respected and trained law enforcement