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Higher Education for Law Enforcement Officers

Higher Education for Law Enforcement Officers
Shalissa A.R. Aubry
Criminal Justice 1010 Salt Lake Community College
E-Portfolio: http://saraubry.weebly.com/criminal-justice.html


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Higher Education for Law Enforcement Officers

In your opinion, do you believe that police officers should have a college education?

In many jobs that we hold high in power and prestige, we expect a certain level of
education. When a patient seeks out a doctor they expect them to have a medical degree, when
someone researches a lawyer they expect them to have a law degree. Should civilians expect an
officer of the law to have the same requirements? Would officers benefit from the requirement of
having a college education?
Police officers are required to take on a large responsibility once they graduate from their
academy and wear a badge. They need to be physically fit, able to use sound judgment, know
the law and have the knowledge to be able to reason accordingly. They are the first line of
defense at home and are required to put their lives on the line for us all. Civilians have large
expectations for our officers, and to meet these expectations I believe that officers should obtain
a college degree.
They shouldnt only obtain a degree to be better officers, either. They should do it to
better themselves and improve their quality of life. Data shows that those with degrees excel in
their careers and earn more money compared to those with only high school diplomas. During
40 years of a full-time working life, the median earnings of bachelors degree recipients are
about 65% more than high school graduates. (Baum, Ma &Payea 2013 p. 12). In another study,
it stated that those with a bachelors degree were moderately more satisfied with their jobs than
those that only had a high school diploma (Baum, Ma & Payea, 2013 p.21).

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Does it make for a better officer?

According to one study conducted by Police Quarterly titled The Effects of Higher
Education on Police Behavior, the implication of having a higher education had no effect on
searches or arrests; however, force was used more often in regular officers compared to those
with higher education (Terrill W. 2010). From this study we gather that officers that have only a
high school diploma are less likely to have developed the critical thinking skills that a college
graduate has been taught to use. There is the rare exception, but over all the data shows that
those with a higher education are less likely to use force and have a more open line of
communication.
Experience and education do have similar effects on policing, but according to Terrill,
experience takes longer to accumulate than education and in obtaining experience they make
many mistakes along the way. Terrill stated that by having an education, an officer is actually
speeding up the process of experience. In doing this an officer is getting the effect of better
policing in the form of less force (Terrill, 2010).

If you believe that officers should have a college education then what level?

Officers should initially be required to obtain an associates degree in tandem with
completion of the academy. As stated by Terrill, officers are obtaining experience by obtaining
an education (Terrill, 2010). Though this is no substitute for experience, it helps officers to think
critically and provides knowledge for their use.
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Without obtaining a degree officers are missing out on learning three ingredients essential
to national progress. These are, (1) new discoveries of science, and technology. (2) expert
knowledge of the kind essential to the work of most important institutions, and (3) becoming
well trained adults with the skills required to practice in their profession, manage, and perform
an increasing proportion of the more demanding jobs in an advanced, technologically
sophisticated economy(Bok, D. C. 2013 p. 1-4 ).

How about for SGT.s, LT.s, CAPT.s, and Chiefs?

Entry level positions should require that the officer has an associates or equivalent. As an
officer wishes to advance they should be required to at least move on to a bachelor with the
opportunity to continue to a masters degree. A Masters degree should not be required for a
higher position, but in order for an officer to advance they should obtain a Bachelors Degree.
Those that wish to obtain a higher office need to have the communication skills as well as
the organizational skills to manage those under them. They need to be able to think critically and
rationally sole problems. Organiztions benefit when employees are motivated and
inspired(Paoline, E. A. 2012).

Would salaries need to be adjusted along with any educational requirements?

Salary could be used as an incentive for officers to obtain a higher education, but I
believe that instead of raising the salary they should provide assistance with education costs.
This would provide those that want higher education with the opportunity to do so without
financial strain. It would help increase officers attending college that normally wouldnt due to
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cost. A desire to ascend through the police ranks may inspire greater engagement in the police
role (Paoline, E. A. 2012).


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Higher Education for Law Enforcement Officers
References
Baum, S., Ma, J., & Payea, K. (2013). Education pays 2013: the benefits of higher education for
individuals and society. : College Board.
Bok, D. C. (2013). Higher education in America. : Princeton University Press.
Paoline, E. A. (2012) Looking Up: Explaining Police Promotional Aspirations. Criminal Justice
and Behavior, 40, 247-269.
Terrill, W. (2010) The Effect of Higher Education on Police Behavior. Police Quarterly, 92-120.