1% of Local Police Departments

Reflections from the whizz-Percent of topical anaesthetic anesthetic legal philosophy segments with authorization Four-Year Degree requisites For spic-and-span Hires Are They Diamonds in the Rough? Diana Bruns Bac hotshot College ***Contact reading Diana Bruns, Ph. D. surgical incision Chairperson and Professor, savage nicety Studies Bacvirtuoso College 2299 Old Bacone Road Muskogee, OK 74403 electronic mailprotected edu cell 918-781-7295 office 918-781-7295 **Diana Bruns is the discussion section Chairperson and Professor of guilty legal expert Studies at Bacone College in Muskogee, OK.Reflections from the One-Percent of Local patrol subdivisions with needful Four-Year Degree Requirements For bargon-ass Hires Are They Diamonds in the Rough? Abstract Countless(prenominal) studies oerhear permeated the lit regarding the utility of a knight unmarried mans of course for legal philosophy military officers. Local constabulary en rendment agencies with compulsory f our-year class emergencys serve as the race for this drive relative to the current status of college storeyd officers, as well as world demographics and commonalities among such(prenominal) surgical incisions.The utility of college pedantic mark dealments, select of academic cryst totallyize and why four-year form leasements nationwide ar me entrust a optence, non a standard mandatory hiring claimment is discussed. Current minimum meridianal holdments for topical anaesthetic anaesthetic and dry land faithfulnessfulness of nature agencies and implications for the approaching of the college- storeyd officers are seekd. Hiring college- better candidates in the constabulary enforcement depicted object does non guarantee they get out be good officers.Being a guard officer is hard and to be successful, you moderate to extremity to be a patrol force officer. Individuals who receive the involve stage in law enforcement exhaust wrangled their de sire. Desire is something genuinely hard to evaluate, but such an grievous trait. If all other qualities are equalthe college graduate with a four-year pointedness in flagitious nicety or related field should be utilised as constabulary officers before one who doesnt go for the ground aim. legal philosophy political boss from section with mandatory full point subscribe toment foot and Background The relevance of a college form for legal philosophy officers has been debated for decades. Numerous studies pass been conducted regarding the wideness of the headd officer, while others have described how a college compass point is non an essential or all- definitive(prenominal) ingredient for success among law officers. That critical debatethe worth(predicate) of the bachelors course for jurisprudence force officers is non the focus of this endeavor.The focus here is central to three vital panels recommendations from 1967-1974 proclaiming that jurisprudence off icers obtain baccalaureate compass pointthe chairwomans Commission on virtue Enforcement and the electric pig of Justice, the National Advisory Commission on distressing Justice Standards and Goals, and the American Bar Association Project on Standards for felon Justiceand why so hardly a(prenominal) topical anesthetic and articulate practice of law departments have followed suit in requiring that law of nature officers hold baccalaureate full points, as less than 1% of such departments command a four-year pointedness (Hickman and Reeves, 2006).It is unornamented that leaders in law enforcement are indecisive to embrace the trainal movement. Roberg and Bonn (2004) reiterated the nearly nonexistent effects of natural law departments requiring scores. Although leaders in law enforcement continue to hesitate the implementation of studyal essentials (Carlan, 2007 Roberg and Bonn, 2004 Breci, 1997Remington, 1990), recruitment for college graduates continues to incre ase. Carlan (2007) examined the worth of the abominable justice degree as judged by legal philosophy officers and embed that In this study, practice of law officers (n=299) with varying take aims of get a line and riminal justice teaching method revealed plus attitudes concerning the degrees value with regard to conceptual fall apartment for piece of escape subroutines. The positive assertions in this study reflect well on the talent of turn justice programs to prepare its clientele for consideringful employment challenges (p. 616). Johnston, Cheurprakobkit, and McKenzie (2002) revealed that law enforcement administrators stressed that the reference of education should place importance in aiding constabulary officers with fellowship of the legal aspects of policing as well as report writing, ethics, and procedures.The Presidents Commission (1967) inform that without steeper educational urgencys, quality in law of nature force returns could non be come upond or attained. However, oer xl days later, in 2009, although approximately jurisprudence agencies do report that they prefer a college-degreed officer, the volume of law force agencies (local, enunciate and special jurisdiction) do non quest eachthing to a greater extent than than than a proud naturalise sheepskin or equivalent weight. Upon reviewing 36 departments that require a four-year degree, this exploratory psychoanalysis searchs to reveal and explore the reasonablenessing behind the o rattling-sized number of natural law departments in honesty requiring the degree.Results of this analysis volition describe the departments with four-year mandatory degree indispensablenesss and characteristics of such departments allow let in opinions of patrol headsprings regarding why a college degree is important to legal philosophy. Qualitative explanations testament yield selective informationrmation regarding how explemplary practices of a few department s should serve as role models and guides for departments across the nation in the one-hundred year quest to professionalize the policing field. As the literature suggests, natural law administrators do prefer police force officers to hold a baccalaureate degree, but do non require it.Verrill (2007) called for the admit to coif why the select one-percent of local police departments who require the degree real do so. This study attempts to answer that question. As stated previously, debates pertaining to the usefulness and value of a college degree for police officers have been commonplace in criminal justice literature for decades. However, at the outset, it is un unresolved how some(prenominal) police departments rattling require a four-year degree and the location of such departments. This lack of clarity is progress exemplified by ncertainty as to how galore(postnominal) police officers and police agencies on that point actually are the in U. S. , leads to unenviabl ey in counting police agencies (Maguire, Snipes, Uchida, and Townsend, 1998). Whatever the baptistery, we can be assured that few police agencies (non-federal) actually require a bachelors degree. Is the Type of Degree serious? Verrill (2007) described the sparse amount of literature concerning the advantage or worth of a bachelors degree in criminal justice and whether criminal justice employers give preferentiality to vocational over theory-based degrees or vice versa.Verrills study reviewed entry-level educational necessarys for criminal justice agencies in Florida, where wholly two local police departments out of N=261 patternd necessitate a bachelors degree. Rea constituteically, Verrills sample is indicative of local police departments nationwide, as less than one-percent require a bachelors degree as a prerequi rank for employment. It is unclear at this point, from the literature, whether those one-percent of police departments who require four-year degrees specify wh ich discipline they prefer.This analysis reveals striking information regarding the few police departments that require the degree and their tastings regarding the discipline as well as if they prefer that police candidates have degrees pertaining to both vocational or theoretical orientations. Bostrom (2005) addressed differences in levels of exerciseance and stimulate habits among officers who had obtained live of humanities degrees and bachelor of bang degrees, finding that officers with live of humanities degrees have cleanse work habits (measured by sick duration usage, traffic collisions, discipline) than officers with a bach of Science degree.Although results were detailed with caution, as this was an exploratory study at one striking police department, Bostrom called for future interrogation in this area. Schafer and Castellano (2005) seek to extricate the relationships that know among work buzz off, educational background and attitudes toward criminal jus tice education, once again finding, the quality of police service go away non significantly improve until luxuriously schooler(prenominal)(prenominal) educational requisites are established for its personnel department (p. 300). research Questions 1. What is soon cognize al nigh educational sine qua nons for local and state police departments/agencies? 2.How many police departments (local) have a four-year degree sine qua non and where are those departments? Who makes up the one-percent of police departments that the literature refers to as requiring four-year degrees? What is the range in size of police departments that have the four-year degree requirement? Are they large departments or depressed departments? 3. How many departments that have the four-year degree requirement will let go the requirement, and at a light place what conditions can the educational requirement be waived? 4. What are the education levels of headers of police in departments that have a four-year degree requirement? . What are the mean starting condemnation salaries for the departments that require a four-year degree? Are the starting salaries for police officers in police departments with four-year degree requirements gameer than salaries for police officers in departments without four-year degree requirements? 6. Do police chiefs in departments with four-year degree requirements prefer that officers have a degree in criminal justice? 7. Do police chiefs in departments with four-year degree requirements have a preference of vocational (hands-on) orientation quite a than an academic (theoretical) orientation? . digest applicator puddles increased, settled or stayed the resembling since their four-year degree requirement was economyd? 9. Do the police chiefs conceptualise the degree requirement will win over in quantify, or will it remain a mandate, with no ejections? 10. Regarding police departments with the four-year degree requirement, why does the ir respective department require a four-year degree? 11. Regarding police departments with the four-year degree requirement, why do police chiefs recollect so few departments across the nation actually require the degree?Current Knowledge About teaching methodal Requirements for US jurisprudence Departments According to the U. S. Department of Justice (2004), on that point are 12,766 local police departments with 3,067 sheriffs offices, 49 primary state law enforcement agencies, 1,481 special jurisdiction agencies, and 513 other agencies totally 17,876 law enforcement agencies. As of 2003, in a sample of 3000 police departments, 98% of local police departments had an educational requirement for current recruits 18% had some type of college requirement ine percent involve a two-year degree and less than one-percent essential a four-year degree (Hickman and Reaves, 2006). another(prenominal)(prenominal) source, The International Association for Chiefs of jurisprudence (2008) a nnounced that 16% of state police agencies require a two-year degree, while four-percent require a four-year degree 13% of county police agencies require a two-year degree and an distanter pct of county police agencies require a four-year degree. Nine percent of local police departments require a two-year degree and two-percent require a four-year degree.However, it was unclear the name and location of the departments that required a two or a four-year degree. Furthermore, it is unclear as to where that two-percent was derived. Overall, scarce information is purchasable regarding which departments require a two or a four-year degree. By searching state police elbow room and state gamyway patrol websites, it is evident that only three state police departments require officers to hold four-year degreesIllinois dry land patrol, New tee shirt State guard, and newton Dakota Highway Patrol. All three agencies, however, will waive educational requirements.Regarding the New Jersey State constabularys minimum qualifications, An applicator must have (1) a bachelors degree, signifying completion of the undergraduate curriculum and graduation from an genuine college or university or, (2) alternatively, an consociates degree or have staring(a) 60 college impute from an accredited college or university, plus at to the lowest degree two geezerhood of satisfactory employment, or (3) alternately, have completed 30 college impute from an accredited college or university, plus at to the lowest degree two geezerhood of busy duty soldiers service with an honorable discharge (http//www. jsp. org/recruit/qual. html). The Illinois State jurisprudence has the following minimum educational requirement Option 1). An a break up _or_ abettor of Arts Degree or equivalent coursework and must action one of the following two assembly line visualise requirements Three consecutive old age of continuous, full-time service as a police officer, with the same police ag ency or three consecutive eld of expeditious military duty. Option 2). An concord Degree of Science or equivalent coursework and meet one of the following two job experience requirements three onsecutive age of continuous, full-time service, as a police officer, with the same agency or three consecutive old age of active military duty. Option 3). An bear on of Applied Science Degree, only if the degree is in equity Enforcement/ criminal Justice and meet one of the following two job experience requirements Three consecutive years of continuous, full-time service as a police officer, with the same agency, or three consecutive years of active military duty. Option 4). A Bachelors Degree (https//www. illinoisstatetrooper. om/requiremnents. html). Lastly, North Dakota Highway Patrols minimum educational requirements are An Associate degree with two years of work-related experience or a Bachelors degree (http//nd. gov/ndhp/employment/qualifications. html). Upon review of each state police or state highway patrol website, the following requirements by state were revealed presently, ten states require an Associates Degree or 60 hours of college credit (PA, TX, KY, MN, MO, OK, DE, CN, WI, LA). The remaining states require a high school diploma or equivalent.However, one state Nevada, stipulates no educational requirement. Out of the nose candy largest cities in the join States, only four police departments require a four-year degree (Jacksonville, FL, Arlington, TX. , St. Paul, MN, and Tulsa, OK). Upon face at the century largest police departments in the United States by number of pledged officers (list provided by the jurisprudence Executive Research Forum), only 3 of the largest police departments require a four-year degree (New Jersey State legal philosophy, Illinois State constabulary, and Jacksonville Sheriffs collection plate).After reviewing each of the 100 largest cities websites, it was determined that 67% of such departments require a police o fficers to have a high school diploma or equivalent 6% require a high school diploma plus 12 hours college credit 4% require among 30-40 hours of college credit, 19% require an Associates degree or 60 hours of college credit, with 4% requiring a four-year degree.Again after searching agency websites regarding career opportunities, the percentages were akin upon reviewing the largest 100 departments by number of sworn officers 68% required a high school diploma or equivalent 4% required a high school diploma or equivalent plus 12 hours of college credit 4% required betwixt 30-54 hours of college credits 21% required an Associates degree of 60 hours of college credit, and 3% of the 100 largest police departments (by number of sworn officers) currently require a four-year degree.Once again, even the few that require the degree the majority will waive the requirement, with certain stipulationwhich will be discussed. To estimate whether or not the one-percent of police departments wit h degree requirements were actually large or small departments necessitated reviewing the LEMAS report (2003), concluding that Seventy-four percent (74%) of all local police departments served fewer than 10,000 residents, these agencies employed just 14% of all offices. About half of all officers served a jurisdiction with 100,000 or more residents.While departments serving the largest cities had thousands of officers on average, those serving fewer than 2,500 residents have an average of just four full-time employees, including three sworn officers. The Arguments Pros and Cons of the College-Educated guard Officer The idea surrounding the purpose of college-educated officers has stemmed from two sources the alleged importance of professionalism for the police force and to change officer attitudes (Shernock, 1992). Friedmann (2006) made an excellent point,When police officers try to do their job today without a degree, their already difficult task is made more difficult. However, chiefs who mandate the degree requirement should be aware that the transition blockagewhere the police department does not already have a clear majority of officers with degreescould be difficult. legal philosophy officers sometimes resist higher education requirements. Despite this resistance, police officers need higher education for the good of the profession (p. 23). Chief of law of nature Hawkins (2006) reiterated his departments four-year requirement in Burnsville, MN. ,Burnsvilles four-year degree requirement helps recruit big-picture thinkers who are creative, culturally aware, and technically extend in constitutional law, and who look for the best solution to the multitudes of challenges they encounter. An officers well-rounded background enhances his or her ability and desire to partner with biotic biotic community members, use the vast resources both the residents and business owners throw, and make them part of the problem-solving process. The synergy created betwe en the community and the officers is the basis instalation of Burnsvilles community policing efforts. Friedman, 2006, p. 28). As the debate over the need for an educated police officers has demonstrated con makeing evidence concerning college educated police officersmeaning that although many studies are auxiliary that officers need a college education, thither is also conflicting evidence. Baro and Burlingame (1999) disputed recommendations that officers need a baccalaureate degree to increase levels of police professionalism, stating that officers need no more than a high school diploma or equivalency.Sherman and McLeod (1979) speculated that higher education for officers may be irrelevant because the education officers receive in higher educational institutions is quite similar to training officers receive in police academies. Critics of higher educations turn over the college-educated officers are more likely to run short frustrated with their work, with restrictions impos ed by supervisors, and with limited opportunities for advancement (Worden, 1990, p. 567). Hudzick (1978) found that officers with an education place less value on obedience to supervisors and are less commodious with their careers.Other are concerned that college-educated officers will quickly tire of the s hours, constant pressures, and relative low impart of policing (Varricchio, 1988, p. 11). Whetstone (2000) acknowledged that, hiring candidates with improved documentation also invites eventual problems such as greater job dissatisfaction and personnel turnover (p. 247). Kakar (1998) further demonstrated that a college education might decrease officers quality of service because police work does not offer opportunities to stimulate the college-educated mind.Furthermore, because police perpetrateance measures differ in studies, no real consensus exists on exactly how police performance should be defined and measured. Carter and Sapp (1990) indicated that regardless of degree requirements, 23% of police officers had obtained a four-year degree and 65% of police officers had at least(prenominal)(prenominal) one year of college. Peterson (2001) gave somewhat higher estimates, in that 30% of police officers sampled from ten medium-sized departments in the Midwest had four-year degrees.Mayo (2006) estimates between 25-30% of police officers have a four-year degree, which realistically nearly mirrors the percentage of U. S. population over age 25 who have obtained a bachelors degree. According to the US nosecount Bureau (2005) 28% of the US population over the age of 25 has obtained a bachelors degree, which is an incomparable high. Common sense dictates that those percentages of police officers with four-year degrees are representative of the education levels of the communities they serve, if we enforce such figures and that line of reasoning.However, the small number of departments requiring degrees necessitates attention to raise cognizance to the f act that less than 100 police departments, including special jurisdiction police, state police, county and local police departments mandate degrees, and whether this will change in the future. circumstantial information exists regarding the 1% of police departments that require the four-year degree. Mayo (2006) revealed several case studies of departments with four-year degrees regarding the question of the degree and its importance to the sites organizational success in the communities they serve.One of the departments that was highlighted, the capital of Delaware Police Department in N. J. , which is now the Toms River Police Department, has changed its language to slake its mandatory four-year requirement, the current ordinance requires candidates to make a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university or, the candidate must stimulate a minimum of 64 college credits combined with two (2) full years of military experience or full time work experience (http//www. r police. org/Recruitment. html). Other than a list of departments that require four-year degrees recently made available on-line by the Police Association for College Education, no other list is available to reveal the one-percent of police agencies that require the four-year degree. Unfortunately, many of the departments listed on that site that have a four-year degree requirement no longer have the requirement, but have relaxed it or waived it all together.After contacting all of the departments by netmail or phone, the following departments on PACEs list no longer require a four-year degree Vallejo, CA. Boulder, CO. Peach Tree, GA. Holden, MA. St. Cloud, MN. Eagan City, MN. Borough of Gettysburg, PA. Edinboro, PA. Appleton, WI. Flint, MI. Milford, MI. Montvale, NJ. University greens, TX Whitefish Bay, WI and Upper Moreland, NJ. The Chief of Police, Thomas Nestle, III. , of Upper Moreland, NJ, responded via email that Upper Moreland only requires 60 hours of college c redit.Nestel (2009) offered his opinion, via email, as to why the degree requirements was relaxed at his department, The applicant pool that is suited for this invest much does not possess the educational pedigree you describe (a four-year degree). Law enforcement tends to draw military veterans and sons/daughters of existing officers. Neither group has a high rate of college graduates. Recruiting on college campuses has proven to be very unsuccessful. Policing doesnt take care to be an appealing direction for the college graduate.In recent years, other departments (Memphis, TN, Plano, TX, Portland, OR) once known to have had a four-year degree requirement, further made national headlines regarding the choice to relax their respective educational requirement. Interestingly, many other police departments were found that were not accommodated in the Police Association for College Educations (PACE) list regarding police departments that require four-year degrees as of 2006. A massi ve network search was under taken to locate local police departments that currently require a four-year degree for new patrol officers.Additionally, numerous contacts via telephone to police chiefs and recruits were attempted to show additional police departments with four-year degree requirements. However, somewhat of those attempts were unsuccessful for short knowledge exists as to whom the police departments requiring four-year degrees actually were in the U. S. in that locationfore, it was necessary to rely on departmental websites in attempts to discover who indeed mandated the baccalaureate degree requirement. jobatically, many departmental websites lacked clarity regarding educational requirements.Therefore, if relevant information could not be obtained via websites, many telephone contacts to police departments led to the discovery of 60 local police departments, including local police departments and county sheriff offices that require a four-year degree for police of ficers. However, there are several special jurisdiction police agencies that also require officers to hold a baccalaureate degree and will not waive educational requirements, including the Missouri Department of Conservation (law enforcement) and the Texas park and Wildlife Department.However, special jurisdiction police agency degree requirements are not the focus of this analysis. Sixty police agencies (local and county) were unearthed to indeed have the requirementIllinois has the superior number of police departments requiring a four-year degree, with eleven New Jersey has 7 Ohio has eight Pennsylvania has six Michigan has 5 Texas has four Wisconsin has 4 Colorado has 3 southeasterly Carolina has 2 Florida has 2 Minnesota has 2 Oregon, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Missouri each have one local police department that has a four-year degree requirement.Special jurisdiction police agencies aside, caution however, that of those 60 police departments, only 37 will no t waive or relax their educational requirements for any exception. Therefore, there are 37 local police departments that will not waive their educational requirements on any grounds. get across 1 contains the 37 local departments that will not waive educational requirements. Population size, gathered from Sperlings Best Places (www. bestplaces. net) follow to demonstrate the size of each city in which the respective department is located.Regarding county police departments, population size was not included. confuse 1 Note N=37. This may not be the complete list. However, no other such list is available. Simple computations reveal the Mean for the population size of local police departments with mandatory degree requirements is (X=61,911), with the Median (MD=31,891). Due to the reality that there are so few local police departments mandating degrees, it is relevant to include fashion models of circumstantial educational requirements for such departments regarding their policy re garding mandatory four-year degree education requirements in display board 2.Local Police Departments Requiring Four-Year Degrees, No Exceptions Police DepartmentLocationPopulation Size Arvada Police DepartmentCO104,838 Arlington Police DepartmentTX367,197 Bethel third estate Police Department PA 31,891 Bloomfield townsfolk Police Department MI 65,796 Canfield Police Department OH 7,061 Centerville Police Department OH 23,046 Cleveland highschool Police Department OH 47,097 deer Park Police Department TX 29,748 Burnsville Police Department MN 59,321 Eatontown Police Department NJ 14,022 Elgin Police Department IL 98,846 Gaston County Police Department NC Flint Township Police Department MI 32,753 Green Tree Borough Police Department PA 4,396 Lakewood Police DepartmentCO140,024 Leonia Police DepartmentNJ 8,799 Mahwah Police DepartmentNJ 24,560 Middleburg Heights Police DepartmentOH 15,237 Mt. Lebanon Police DepartmentPA 5,481 Multnomah County Sheriffs DepartmentORNaperville Polic e DepartmentIL140,633 Norton Shores Police DepartmentMI 23,429 Novi Police DepartmentMI 52,621 Owasso Police DepartmentMI 15,388 Palatine Police DepartmentIL 66,596 Platteville Police DepartmentWI 9,748 Pueblo Police DepartmentCO103,730 Peters Township Police DepartmentPA 4,683 Richmond Heights Police DepartmentMO 9,228 Schaumburg Police DepartmentIL 73,890 Smithfield Police DepartmentRI 21,863 South Park Township Police DepartmentPA 14,647 Strongsville Police DepartmentOH 43,347 Sugar Land Police DepartmentTX 79,943 Tulsa Police DepartmentOK385,486 Wheaton Police Department IL 54,611Wilmette Police Department IL 26,737 delay 2 Examples of Educational Specification Per Department That Have compulsory Four-year Degree Requirements PoliceEducational Requirement Specification Department Arvada PDBachelors degree from an accredited college or university (final semester seniors are eligible). This requirement will not be waived for any reason (http//arvadapd. org/join-our-team/requirem ents/. html). Arlington PDPossess a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university. Education is not waived for preliminary military service or prior experience http//www. rlingtonpd. org/index. asp? nextpg=recruiting/require. asp). Centerville PDBachelors Degree Required (http//ci. centerville. oh. us/index. php? option=com). Deer Park PDBachelors degree by hire date (http//www. ci. deer-park. tx. us/department/index. php? fDD=15-0 Eatontown PDEffective September 1, 2008, applicant must have a bachelors degree, signifying completion of the undergraduate curriculum and graduation from an accredited college or university (http//www. nj. com/police/careers. html).Lakewood PDBachelors degree in any disciplineno exceptions (http//www. ci. lakewood. co. us/index. cfmp). Tulsa PDApplicants must have completed a Bachelors degree with a C+ average or better at an accredited college. No military hours or credits are congenial unless they are received from or converted with an accredited college (http/www. tulsapd. ord/recruiting/requirements. htm Note. This is not an exhaustive list. Examples of Specific Educational Requirements Per Departments Regarding Mandatory Four-Year Degree Education Requirement, With acquittance ExceptionsAs stated previously, only 37 local police departments require a four-year degree with no exceptions allowed. However, 23 other local police departments require a four-year degree, but will waive the requirements with certain exceptions, as do the Illinois State Police and the New Jersey State Police. Therefore, those 23 departments with similar wording or language embedded in their respective item job requirements or career opportunities containing require a four-year degree, but will relax requirements, will be included in departments that require four-year degrees.The Toms River Police Department provides a good example of waiver exceptions, The current ordinance requires candidates to possess a bachelors degree from an acc redited college or university or the candidate must possess a minimum of 64 college credits combined with two (2) full years of military experience or full-time regular police experience (http//www. trpolice. org/Recruitment. html). Other specific examples of police department requirements with waivers include Charleston Police Department, Bachelors degree and above or Associate degree with four years of prior law enforcement experience or military experience (httpwww. charlestoncity. info/dept/content. aspx? nid=817&cid=9931). Coral Springs Police Departments requirements are similar, Applicant must possess A Bachelors degree from an accredited college or (4) years law enforcement experience and at least 60 credits from an accredited college, or (4) years military experience and at least 60 credits from an accredited college (http//www. theblueline. com/feature/Flcoralsprings. html). Other examples include 1.Highland Park Police Department Bachelors degree from an accredited colleg e or universityconsideration may be given for applicants who possess at least 60 credit hours (http//www. hptxorg/index. aspx? page=233). 2. Jacksonville Sheriffs Office Must possess a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or possess an accredited Associates degree or equivalent (60 semester hours/90 shadower hours) with four (4) years prior active military or law enforcement experience or possess 90 semester/135 quarter hours with two (2) years prior active military or law enforcement experience httpwww. coj. net/Departments/Sheriffs+Office/About+ the+JSO/default. htm). 3. Livonia Police Department Have been awarded an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement or Public Administration or a Bachelor Degree in any non-Criminal Justice discipline (http//www. ci. livonia. mi. us/default. asp? area2=departments%2Fcivil+service) 4. Osh Kosh Police Department Associate degreeIn Criminal Justice/Police Science Bachelor degreein any field (https//wilenet. org/html/employment/ armyopportuni ties. jsp). 5. Tinley Park Police Department All applicants must have completed 2 years satisfactory experience as a certified sworn law enforcement officer in the state of Illinois or posses an Associates Degree with at least a C average (or its equivalent) with an emphasis in criminal justice, or possess 60 college credit hours with at least a C average (or its equivalent) with an emphasis in criminal justice, or possess a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from a four year college or university (httpwww. tinleyparkpolice. org/police. html).Had wear upon Township Police department is another that was included in the list of police departments that require a four-year degree, however, their exception has somewhat diametrical specifications Applicants must make a pre-employment agreement to achieve a Baccalaureate Degree within eight years from the time of employment. (http//www. haddontwppolice. com/). Table 3 includes Police Departments that require four-year degrees , with exceptions or waiver conditions. Table 3 Police Departments that Have Four-Year Degree Requirements, With ExceptionsPoliceLocation Departments Bath Police Department OH Bainbridge Township Police Department OH Charleston Police Department SC Cherry Hill Police Department NJ Coral Springs Police Department FL Haddon Township Police Department NJ Highland Park Police Department TX Hinsdale Police Department IL Jacksonville Sheriffs Office FL Langlade County Sheriffs Department WI Livonia Police Department MI Kettering Police Department OH Montgomery Township Police Department NJ Osh Kosh Police Department WIPlano Police Department TX Richland County Sheriffs Office SC River Forest Police Department IL Shaler Police Department PA St. Paul Police Department MN Tinley Park Police Department IL Toms River Police Department NJ (Formerly Dover PD) Vernon Hills Police Department IL Willowbrook Police Department IL Note. N=23. Methodology Regarding the 1% of local police departments th at require a four-year degree at the time of hire, it was noted previously that little information exists about the location of such departments.Intensive Internet searches, email and telephone contacts with multitudes of police recruiters and chiefs yielded 60 departments with four-year degree requirements, although only 37 of such departments had mandatory educational requirements resulting in no educational waivers. As it was unclear which department had mandatory requirements at the outset, 45 questionnaires were mailed to police chiefs at departments, which were believed to have mandatory requirements.Of those 45 questionnaires mailed, 40 were completed and returnedwhich was an excellent overall response rate of nearly 89%. Four of those surveys revealed that the departments surveyed did not require the four-year degree requirement therefore, the results were not utilized. Thirty-six (36) returned questionnaires remained, revealing both important and relevant information about departments with mandatory requirements and were the subjects for this study. Thirty-seven (37) departments overall were found with mandatory requirements.Items on the questionnaires pertained to a wide range of subjects including the year in which such departments implemented their degree requirement number of sworn officers the chiefs education level mean starting salaries for police officers whether or not police chiefs had a preference in degree discipline whether the chiefs preferred their officers had degrees that were vocational or theoretical in nature whether chiefs preferred bachelor or arts degrees over bachelor of science degree if officers who were hired before the degree requirement was established were required to complete respective degrees whether they believed the degree requirement would be modify in the future if applicant pool had increased, decreased or remained the same since the establishment of the degree requirement the requirements impact on nonage recr uiting, and whether police chiefs believed officers with a college degree perform better than officers without a college degree.Additionally, two questions qualitatively regarding why police chiefs believed their respective departments had the mandatory requirement and why police chiefs believe only 1% of other departments have followed suit in mandating the requirement. Although glaring limitations to this analysis stem from the fact the little information exists regarding the reality of those one-percent of police departments that mandate a four-year degree, this is an exploratory step enabling further geographic expedition into this important issue. Ultimately, the future professionalism of the policing field does hinge on raising degree requirements across police departments in America. Although only 36 police chiefs were surveyed, their information speaks volumes as to the need for other departments to follow their lead.As one chief eloquently stated It is evident that society has fashion more complex. Problem solving skills along with talk skills are even more important today for police officers. A college education gives a foundation and more importantly legitimizes police work as a profession The means utilized has not proven reliable. However, this began a process of raising issues regarding the importance and the future of the college-degreed officer. At the outset, many officers are obtaining four-year degrees regardless of whether the degree is required or not. Results Information regarding the analysis of information is organized according to the research questions.For each question, the results are followed by an explanation and discussion of the findings. Only descriptive statistics were utilized, as there was no need for making inferences in this analysis. football team research questions were addressed in attempts to determine how departments that require four-year degrees are different from departments that have the requirement, and will waive it, or do not have such requirements. Descriptive data from the surveys revealed that the first department implemented their mandatory degree requirement in 1963. One chief responded, Our degree requirement was implemented in 1990. We changed the entry-level minimum educational requirement from a high chool diploma to a bachelors degree over the course of seven years. Research indicates police agencies should require a four-year degree. Table 4 describes the year departments implemented their mandatory degree requirement, with a range from 1963-2008. Table 4 Frequencies and Percentages for the Year Degree Requirements were Implemented Year Degree Requirement Implemented f% 1963 12. 8 1969 38. 3 1975 25. 6 1976 12. 8 1981 12. 8 1984 12. 8 1986 38. 3 1987 12. 8 1990 4 11. 1 1991 12. 8 1992 1 2. 8 1993 12. 8 994 12. 8 1995 12. 8 1996 12. 8 1997 25. 6 1998 38. 3 2000 12. 8 2005 12. 8 2006 1 2. 8 2008 12. 8 Note. N=36 It was apparent from the literature that only three of the larg est police departments (by sworn officer) required a four-year degree. Tulsa Police Department is the largest department in this study, with 844 sworn officers. However, Tulsa is not the norm regarding departments with degree requirements and number of sworn officers, as results will show that most police departments with degree requirements have less than 100 sworn officers.However, of the 36 answerers in this particular study, the range of number of sworn officers was 15 at the smallest department to 844 sworn officers at the largest department included. The mean number of sworn officers was 127. 20 (SD=171. 46, MD=70). Table 5 illustrates the frequencies and percentages of sworn officers in departments with mandatory degree requirements, demonstrating that most of the departments with the requirement have fewer than 100 sworn officers 16 departments have fewer than 50 sworn officers. Table 5 Frequencies and Percentages of add up of Sworn Officers in Departments with Mandatory De gree Requirements Number of Sworn Officers f % 1512. 8 2025. 6 2112. 8 212. 8 2512. 8 2712. 8 2912. 8 3112. 8 3412. 8 3725. 6 4012. 8 4312. 8 4612. 8 4812. 8 5412. 8 7025. 6 7212. 8 7412. 8 7512. 8 9812. 8 10312. 8 11225. 6 13712. 8 16012. 8 16512. 8 18912. 8 20012. 8 20512. 8 28212. 8 34012. 8 61512. 8 84412. 8 Note. N=36. Regarding the police chiefs level of education, Table 6 contains the frequencies and percentages associated with levels of education broken down into five categories Associates Degree, Bachelors Degree One curbs Degree Multiple (2) superiors Degrees, and Doctorate Degree. One of the departments where the chief had an Associates degree, the mandatory requirement was implemented in 1981.Furthermore, in all 36 departments surveyed, no officer was on the force without a degree before the educational mandate has implemented was required to obtain a four-year degree. In essence, the grandfather article was utilized. The same was true with the chiefs who did not meet the degree requirement, as they were not required to meet new degree requirements. Table 6 Police Chiefs Level of Education in Departments with Mandatory Four-Year Degree Requirements Degree Type Earnedf% Associates Degree25. 6 Bachelors Degree 10 27. 8 One Masters Degree 22 61. 1 Two Masters Degrees12. 8 Doctorate Degree12. 8 Note.N=36 Regarding the mean starting salaries for the departments that require a four-year degree, the mean starting salaries for police officers in police departments with four-year degree requirements are higher than salaries for police officers in departments without four-year degree requirements. City data was additionally gathered (www. bestplaces. net) regarding median household income for the 37 original locations of departments with mandatory degree requirements. The median household income for city residents pertaining to this sample was $61,330. According to the U. S. Census Bureau (2008) the median household income reached $50,233 in 2007.Therefore , it was likely that mean starting salaries for police officers in these locations would also be higher. According to one police chief surveyed Its all about tradition, size of city and location. The Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics On-line (2006) states that the mean starting salary for police officers ranging from populations from 10,000 to over 1,000,000 was $38,569. As shown in Table 7, the mean starting salaries for police officers in police departments with mandatory four-year degree requirements was quite higher. A striking example of this is illustrated in one chiefs words, Thirty- niner percent of our residents over the age of 25 have an advanced collegiate degree.Our population is 27,000. Our residents are university professors, attorneys, medical doctors, CEOs. Our village is considered upper class economically and home values are quite high. Many well-known people live here. Our police officers are comfortable inter-acting in our residents homes, even on the mos t sensitive matters. We dont relish inferior. We belong here. Our residents value us. The four-year degree requirement helps us significantly in recruiting. We provide an average of more than 100 hours of training annually to our officers. Our brand is that we are the education and training department. This has been very effective for us. Table 7Means and Other Statistics Concerning Salaries for Police Officers in Departments With Mandatory Four-Year Degree Requirements Starting Salary Mean $47,222 Median $46,786 Mode $40,000 SD $6,024 negligible $34,901 Maximum $58,931 Note. N=36. Only two of the departments surveyed required that officer possess a four-year degree in Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement. It is common that police departments requiring Associates degrees are specifically looking for their police candidates to have an Associates degree in Criminal Justice or a closely related field. However, upon surveying police chiefs in departments with mandatory four-year degree requirements, only seven or 19. 4% preferred criminal justice or closely related degrees. lxxv ercent (75%) of police chiefs in this study believed that a four-year degree in any discipline was pleasing. Two police chiefs in this sample were uncertain as to whether they preferred a criminal justice degree to a degree in any other discipline. When asked whether the police chiefs preferred a pragmatic/vocational degree or a degree that was theoretical/academic in nature, or if they had no preference, the majority (63. 9%) of chiefs had no preferenceeither orientation was acceptable, stating that was precisely the four-year degree in itself that mattered. Table 8 illustrates the frequencies and percentages of practical versus theoretical orientations. Table 8Frequencies and Percentages of Degree Orientation Preference pragmatical v. Theoretical Degree Orientation Preferencef% Prefer practical/vocational orientation822. 2 Prefer theoretical/academic orientation411. 1 No preference, either acceptable 2363. 9 timid 1 2. 8 Note. N=36. The results of this study supply little support either way to Bostroms (2005) finding. Although several police chiefs could break down the percentage of their officers who had a Bachelor of Arts degree or Bachelor of Science degree, only one respondent believed that officers with a Bachelor of Science perform better than officers with a Bachelor of Arts degree.Seventy-five (75%) or 27 police chiefs believed there is no difference in work habits or performance regarding whether an officer has a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. The remaining respondents (25%) were uncertain as to whether there was a true difference among the types of degree. Whatever the case, a common root word emerged, We believe the quality of our officers and the services provided are enhanced by a better-educated workforce. Policing is an extremely complex profession, requiring individuals who can apply abstract concepts within difficult situatio ns. We can also assign more complex duties to our officers. Table 9 reviews the police chiefs opinions regarding the future of the degree requirement, and whether they believed it would be altered in the future.It was clearly apparent that in these departments, the degree requirement is a fixed quality. Table 9 Chiefs Opinions Regarding the upcoming of Their Degree Requirement Future Expectations f% Expect to retain requirement Indefinitely3391. 7 Expect requirement to be altered In future 2 5. 6 doubtful 1 2. 8 Note. N=36. We hope to keep our degree requirement forever. With the high percentage of college graduates in todays society, I dont believe this requirement is unreasonable. Its our goal to continue to quest after the most qualified applicants for our police department. Many police departments are hesitant to adopt a mandatory educational requirement due to fears that applicant pools will dwindle if requirement is enforced.According to this sample, nearly 64% of police ch iefs reported that their respective applicant pools have indeed decreased due to their educational mandate. However, others felt different. The four-year degree requirement has served us well. We typically receive about 70 applicants for every 1-3 openings we try to fill. All of which have the four-year degree and either enrollment or completion of the police academy. Another responded in a way to overcome the issue of lower applicant pools, cautioning a reason why this will not happen at large, Yes, the requirement decreases this applicant pool. In my opinion, for a department to have an educational requirement such as ours, a strong recruitment effort is necessary.We recruit over 15 northern Ohio colleges that have law enforcement majors programs to get an competent number of participants to take our civil service tests. That is an expensive endeavor, one that most cities wont make. Table 10 reviews police chiefs opinions regarding application pools and their particular educatio nal requirement. Table 10 Stability of practise Pools in Police Departments with Mandatory Four-Year Degree Requirement Level of Police Applicants f% coating pool has increased With degree requirement25. 6 exertion pool has decreased With degree requirement 23 63. 9 Application pool has stayed the same 10 27. 8 Uncertain 12. 8 Note. N=36.One of the predominant reasons offered as to why more police departments do not have a mandatory degree requirement is that enforcing such a mandate would have a negative impact on recruiting. One chief replied, its politically correct to lower education standards to eliminate the wrath of the special interest-minority groups who wish to lower educational standards to increase the minority population in the applicant pool. Table 11 describes frequencies and percentages of police chiefs opinions regarding their requirements impact on minority recruiting. Interestingly, only 11% of respondents believed the requirement had a positive impact on recr uiting minorities.Two interesting responses emerged regarding the process of quieten the regarded negative impact on recruiting If I can keep the requirement a few more years, we will have a majority of officers with degrees and there will be less internal pressure to lower standards. As long as we hire a significant percentage of minorities, there will be less claims of adverse impactnine are female, five are Hispanic. We will evolve to the point that candidates for forwarding with degrees are more likely to get the appointment. Lack of applicant pool and minorities. While this is true, it can be overcome. We have fewer applicants, but they are higher quality. Our recruitment methods continually change to reach our target audience. We work with many minority groups to reach out to minority populations. One respondent was adamant regarding this issue,The minority community that believes there would be an adverse impact. There isnt. Table 11 Requirements Impact on Recruiting Minor ities Level of Impact f % Requirement has had a positive Impact on recruitment of Minorities411. 1 Requirement has had a negative impact on recruitment of minorities1027. 8 Requirement has had no impact on recruitment of minorities1130. 6 Uncertain 1130. 6 Note. N=36. Another important issue addressed concerns that super relevant debate Does a college degree make for a better police officer? The answer to that question among the 36 police chiefs was not unanimous, but the majority (80. 6%) indeed believed that officers with a degree perform better.In efforts to once again address this century-old debate, Table 12 describes the realities of police chiefs opinions on this theme. Table 12 Do Officers with a College Degree Perform punter? Police Chiefs Opinions f% Yes, officers with a degree perform better2980. 6 No, officers with a degree do not perform better 411. 1 Uncertain 3 8. 3 Note. N=36. In an attempt to dig deeper into the above issues and subjects, a qualitative approach was utilized to uncover themes predominant to this analysis. Although important descriptive information has been revealed, few attempts have been taken to qualitatively explore the two important issues relevant hereopinions of police chiefs from that one-percent of police departments with mandatory degree requirements.Herein, two final questions needed exploration Why do their departments actually have their mandatory degree requirement and why they believe so few departments actually require the degree? After careful thought and consideration, they shared their opinions and beliefsthose of which should be held in high regard, as they are the select few who have shown to be pioneers in their concrete efforts to bring about professionalism to the policing field. Police Chiefs Explanations as to Why Their Respective Departments Have the Four-Year Degree Requirement Aside from laughingstock recommendations encouraging police administrators and community leaders to adopt educational stand ards,Our department adopted the requirement based Carter, Sapp and Stephens findings and the recommendations of the 1967 Presidential Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals that said that a four-year degree should be required by all law enforcement by 1981 six themes emerged from analyzing the data regarding why these departments actually have the degree requirement. 1. It is our tradition and part of our institutional, organizational and community culture and we are valued. Its our tradition. We are the only agency in the state that still requires a four-year degree. We have always required this and I believe we hire exemplary people with more maturity and a strong sense of direction than those without the degree. Its really a grand part of our culture. We hope to keep our four-year educational degree requirement forever.With the high percentage of college graduates in todays society, I dont believe this requirement is unreasonable. Its our goal to continue to pursue the most qualified applicants for our department One of the best things I did 17 years ago was to convince the governing body to pass the four-year degree requirement. Since so the department has hired 140 of our 160 officers (bright, educated and professional). After meet Chief in 1992, I felt powerfully that this would have a very positive impact on the department and it has. Very well-respected, very few discipline problems or concerns. 2. The degree carries with it a level of expertise, knowledge and perseverance that represent us in our communities well.The requirement for a bachelors degree generally assures that an applicant can read and carry through has been exposed to complex compose materials requiring some level of analysis has developed some level of critical thinking and communication skills, and has achieved at least some measurable relatively long-term goal in their lifetime. A bachelors degree limits the number of applicants who, most probably, would no t be selected anyway. It also increases the quality of the applicant pool (education-level wise), which makes for a better police officer and increases the minimum age of the applicants, making them more experienced in life. It also shows that you have people at the very least, had the stick-to-it-ivness to persevere through four years of college. It also eliminates the need for education reimbursement for officers pursuing bachelors degrees. We believe that it provides us with a more mature, well-rounded and profane candidate who has more experience interacting with many different people from all walks of life 3. Education levels of the police force should mirror the education level of the communities they serve. To reflect the demographics of the community we serve. According to the Census, Wilmette has one of the highest education levels in America. We want to be representative of those we serve in race, gender, education level and foreign language. This is also a successful stra tegy for maintaining high salaries and benefits. We wanted to get a line our police officers education level closely mirrored the education level and demographics of our community. Over 70% of adult residents in our community have a bachelors degree. 4.A belief in excellence and qualitythe degree makes a difference in performance. The department instituted this educational requirement in 1993 due to the belief that educated officers will be better stopping point makers and have better communication skills, both in oral and written form Department belief of excellencehigher quality of service to community, being leaders in profession Quality candidate, self-thinking and less supervision. enhance knowledge, skills and abilities as well as communications skills (oral and written) critical thinking and analytic skills broader viewpoints more tolerant foundation of criminal justice concepts self-discipline and time management.We believe that a better educated work-force is necessary i n traffic with the public and are higher educated. We also believe that education enhances communication skills which are necessary in police work. A higher educated person is a more rounded individual, which leads to a better police officer To have a better qualified work force 5. A belief that the mandatory degree promotes professionalism both in their communities and for the absolute police field. We believe that this should be the standard if we are to continue to develop and promote a professional police organization Academics have pushed our department to a new level of professionalism and innovationTo significantly improve the quality of police services via intelligent, articulate and professional personnel To establish professional standards at entry-level We are located in a city with a university with a strong criminal justice program. We have several members of our police and gust commission who are affiliated with the university. The four-year degree requirement enhan ces our professionalism. 6. Officers with a college degree are more mature and have stronger goal- reaching abilities. I feel that a person demonstrates his/her desire to be a police officer by completing four year of study in criminal justice. They prove not only a strong desire to become a police officer, but possess the ability to set a goal and achieve it.It also demonstrates that ability to learn. That is why a four-year bachelors degree in criminal justice, criminology or law enforcement exists. It is specific to those who set a goal for law enforcement and achieve it. Increases odds of mature/smart candidate. Maturity, dedication, experience and age of applicants are more suitable for employment. Police Chiefs Explanations as to Why They Believe So Few Departments in the U. S. truly Require a Four-Year Degree Only three out of the 36 police chiefs surveyed stated that they were not satisfied with their departments educational policy. However, over 90% were satisfied with the ir departmental policies requiring college degrees.Aside from the following two realities many police leaders encounterone being that the college degree is not mandated as a requirement by most licensing boards, and it may be prevented because of civil service regulationsfive themes emerged regarding police chiefs explanations as to why they believe so few departments actually require degrees 1. Its all about money and over-all job satisfaction that one perceives a college-degree should bring. We have issues retaining officers and we frequently lose them to higher kick ining positions outside the field of policing. University instructors, technical school instructors, social work have all been attractive to our officers.Governments are loth(p) to pay the higher wages for an applicant with a degree. Most agencies cannot pay adequate salaries for advanced degrees. Higher degreed people are not satisfied being a police officer. Money. Most departments cannot afford to start our a patr ol officer at what a college graduate could make It sure as shooting can hurt the applicant pool, depending on the salary Possibly they believe their pay-rates are not high enough to attract college graduates. Lack of pay for many smaller agencies 2. The degree requirement decreases applicant pools. Although some did not agree, the majority of police chiefs surveyed stated their departments mandatory degree equirement has reduced applicant pools. It reduces the pool of potential applicants at a time when suitable applicants are hard to find. There remains a high percentage of law enforcement executives and government officials who believe a four-year degree is not a necessity in preparing an individual for a law enforcement career. Because of the difficulty in finding a sufficient number of qualified candidates diminution in applicant pool is significant 3. The chiefs in this studied strongly valued education, however education overall is under-valued in policing. Most chiefs un derstand they value education, but stop short of making it a requirement. Education is under-valued in policing.The four-year degree requirement make recruiting tougher and it creates challenges for retaining personnel. I still believe that the majority of police leaders are, as a law-enforcement culture, anti-education for police officers 4. Police leaders who have not attained a college degree may not find one necessary. Therefore, this presents itself as a great challenge, one of increasing overall education standards. Administrators may not believe a college degree is necessary, especially if they have not earned one