Caroline Lantor

April 26, 2015

Criminal Justice
Do Police Officers Need A College Education?
Is it more important to be street smart or book smart? I believe Police officers should
have at least two years of college under their belt before going on the force. According to Police
Quarterly, it shows that officers with some college education are less likely to resort to force than
those who never attend college. The study found no difference with respect to officer education
when it came to arrests or searches of suspects. But it found that in encounters with crime
suspects, officers with some college education or a four-year degree resorted to using force 56
percent of the time, while officers with no college education used force 68 percent of the time.
"Force" included verbally threatening suspects, grabbing or punching them, using mace or
pepper spray, hitting suspects with a baton, handcuffing, throwing to the ground, or pointing or
firing a gun at them (Police). Using this example, I agree that a college education can help
officers with proper reason and decision making especially through an education program. An
education can give officers the future wisdom and influence that can prepare them for real life
scenarios.
Another reason why I believe Police officers should have some sort of college education
is because in todays society nearly almost every career needs the employee to have some sort of
education. Being a police officer isnt just a normal career. You are trusted with guns, Tasers,
pepper spray, and the lives of their community. If it is mandatory for a person to be a teacher and
have four years of schooling to teach children, wouldnt it make sense to have the people

protecting children along with the rest of the community with weapons be more qualified then
someone teaching the ABCs to six year olds?
Many have debated the merits of higher education and police work. This can be an
emotional topic, leading to defensive responses one way or another. While controversial,
especially for those without degrees in the field, the topic has some valid issues of concern
behind it. It warrants an honest debate on whether those who police our communities should be
required to have education beyond high school and the academy, requiring more education then
most entry level jobs. The argument is a compelling. After all, police are tasked to conduct a job
with powers unmatched elsewhere. Many jobs with no such equal power require degrees, yet
most police departments require only a high school diploma. Unlike those other jobs, police have
the ability to deprive citizens of their freedom, use force, and at times, take a life. There is
perhaps no other job in the U.S. that allows so much power for so little education required. It is
often argued that street smarts is all that is needed, but is it?

Bibliography

"Police Chief Magazine - View Article." Police Chief Magazine - View Article. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr.
2015.