Policing
The issue of a college education for law enforcement officers has been a subject of discussion over
the recent years. While different studies carried out in the past two decades suggest college
education is important for law enforcement officers, policymakers in different states are divided
on whether college education should set as a minimum requirement for law enforcement officers.
I believe state law enforcement should have a college degree or at least some college education.
The nature of policing is fast changing, emerging issues of community policing, use of technology,
civil liberties and homeland security (Ronald, 2013). Law enforcement is moving from the
traditional policing where police officers were recruited based on political alignment to a more
professional force, and to bring the police officers to the level of professionalism required in the
21st Century a college degree is necessary. A college education will improve police officers
abilities and performance, (Ronald, 2013) in terms of better decision making, and problem-solving,
improved adaptability, more efficiency in technology, and enhanced reporting skills among other
abilities important to the police job in the 21st Century.
Studies indicate that the desirable characteristics for law enforcement officers who have a college
degree can be found in officers with 11 years' experience (Dr. Chuck & Duffy, 2017). Although
military experience is important in law enforcement, it cannot be substituted with a college degree.
Education and experience have the same effect on a police officer, however, it takes many years
of experience to accumulate the desired characteristics that can only be gained by four years of
college education.
Higher education requirement is not only important for state law enforcement agencies but also
for the local department. Community policing has become an important initiative for all levels of
government. And for local department community policing requires strategy shift, it requires law
enforcement officers to form a good relationship with the public. Local department officers with
college degrees are more adept to come up with proper strategies, solutions, and open-mindedness
required in community policing (University of San Diego, 2018). It important for local
departments to introduce college degree as one of the minimum requirements for their officers.
In conclusion, the exercise allowed me to gain an in-depth knowledge of the police recruitment
process, the 21
st
Century needs for police recruitment and most importantly, a greater
understanding on the importance of a college degree qualification for law enforcement officers.
The knowledge gained in the exercise can be applied both in state and local police department
recruitment, by outlining a college degree as a minimum requirement for law enforcement officers.
