College Requirement

[BSP]

Chief White,

I support the college requirement for a number of reasons; a few that I will mention. I believe that with a great deal of negative public perception of police officers (in some areas, and especially here in California)an agency stands a far greater chance of receiving public support if the officers responding to calls are as educated as the public they serve. Please keep in mind that I am speaking of only some areas. Here in California, and I speak of many communities in particular, you're serving a ".com" well educated public. When the community you serve knows that their department requires a 4 year degree...it definately sends a positive message to the community. I also believe that a higher education provides experiences that you might not otherwise obtain if you didn't attend; add to that my belief that military service would serve the same purpose, but that's a whole different issue.

With this, I would expect an agency to provide incentives to education including adjustments in schedules to attend...and salary incentives. $3,000 of my yearly salary comes from having a 4 year degree. As society dictates that it takes more and more education to get ahead I think it would be in the best interest of the law enforcement profession to keep pace.

[Roman]

BSP-

You make a very good point. I also work in the Bay Area, which after the DC area is the highest educated metropolitan area in the country. I think when dealing with a highly educated population, the public trust is going to be significantly eroded if they perceive officers as being 'dumb'. A successful PD has to reflect the population it serves... and that includes education. Yet another argument for local control, for all you guys who wanted a federalized police force.

[KenM]

I do not have a college degree but I have a few semester hours under my belt. I've worked with PhD's and high school graduates and by far I have had the best work relationship with those that did not have a degree. They seem to be able to relate to folks better. Not saying college is a bad thing. One day I may return and finish out my degree, but I have no desire to do it now. It's just not a top priority.

It's funny you talk about the "educated" public. The dept I work for is an adjoining jurisdiction for Texas A&M. LOTS of "educated" people there. There is also a large community college and several technical/vocational schools. I know a lot of them look down on me for being a "lowly" cop, but that doesn't bother me. Assume I'm just a stupid country redneck that would believe anything you tell me. I'll play the dumb country cop as far as I can, it's a benefit to me. Most of the "dot com's" you refer to can't do anything outside of their work fields. They can't build anything, fix anything or do anything else. Hey! Would that make them "dumb" in some respects?

Roman, I can't believe you are still talking about the Federalized police! Those comments were made to emphasize that jurisdictional lines wouldn't be a barrier anymore and the practicality of uniform laws across the nation.