Jake Ruben

Professor Greg Butler

CJ-1010
09/18/2017
Do police officers need a college education?
I dont believe Police Officers need a college education, however I feel it might serve as
a soft introduction and weed-out some unqualified individuals. After all the reading in Criminal
Justice nothing Ive encounters seems to compare to the daily challenges faced by our Police
Officers. A college education requirement would only allow for an individual to encounter a
light increase in daily challenges that being normal life with academic successes. It may also
filter out individuals who might not have the all-around requirements and talent needed to
succeed as a Police Officer. The specifics of what level of college education are difficult to set as
far as SGT.s, LT.s, CAPT.s, and Chiefs. But the entry could be any type of associates and a
select number of college credits/ specific courses. Having some college education would help
select the right individuals to become Police Officers.
All of the chapters from Exploring the Police provide evidence and showcase the high
level of ability needed to be a successful Police officer. Police Officers face all the normal
everyday challenges as a normal citizen. They are subject to getting illnesses, having bills, family
issues, bad days at work, natural disasters, and dying unexpectedly. But many of those
challenges are increased and they encounter many more because of their duties as Police
Officers. So requiring some college education would serve as another step towards becoming
an all-around individual.
There seems to be a number of individuals not equal to their fellow Officers. Enforcing
to have some college education might help filter out some incapable or not fit to serve as Police
Officers. The requirement would not eliminate all, but it would reduce those corrupt and not fit
while allowing for more qualified candidates to fill those positions.
Its too difficult to set a requirement for positions such as SGT.s, LT.s, CAPT.s, and
Chiefs because I feel that should be decided by actual Police Officers. But the beginning
requirements should involve college education just like many other difficult careers. Enforcing
some college education would help select qualified and capable Police Officers. As far as pay
having requirements for college education should also increase pay for Officers.
Past Police Officers have proven that college education isnt needed, but it might help in
slowing introducing an individual to the heavy responsibilities of a Police Officer. The
requirement would also aid in the selecting process of future Police Officers. The entry level
should sit somewhere around and associates with specific classes involved. But beyond entry
level that decision should belong to that of those who know what the job truly entitles. A
college education requirement should allow for those capable and qualified to hold what I feel
is a difficult, respectable, and true trial of challenges career.