CASE FOR STATE MANDATED MINIMUM SELECTION STANDARDS FOR POLICE OFFICERS

• NCJ Number: 50799
• Journal: Public Personnel Management Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (MARCH/APRIL 1978) Pages: 135-142
• Author(s): J A CONSER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: International Personnel Management Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE ISSUE OF WHETHER IT IS NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR POLICE OFFICER SELECTION IS ADDRESSED, AND REASONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE-MANDATED STANDARDS ARE SUMMARIZED.

Abstract

THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS RECOMMENDS THAT ALL STATES SHOULD HAVE LEGISLATION WHICH ESTABLISHES A STATE COMMISSION EMPOWERED TO DEVELOP AND ENFORCE MINIMUM MANDATORY STANDARDS FOR THE SELECTION OF POLICE OFFICERS. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ADVOCATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MINIMUM MANDATORY STANDARDS ARE THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, THE ADVISORY COMMISSION ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS, AND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY. MOST DISCUSSION ABOUT MANDATED STANDARDS CENTER ON TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AS OPPOSED TO MANDATED SELECTION STANDARDS. IN MOST STATES, MINIMUM MANDATORY STANDARDS FOR POLICE OFFICER SELECTION ARE NEEDED. OHIO IS USED AS AN EXAMPLE TO ILLUSTRATE THE LACK OF UNIFORMITY AND STANDARDIZATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS. RECOMMENDATIONS TO AID IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STANDARDS OFFERED FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT AND ENACTMENT, CONTENT AND ISSUES, ENFORCEMENT, AND BASIC TRAINING FOLLOWED BY PROBATION. FIVE REASONS ARE LISTED TO SUPPORT THE CASE FOR STATE-MANDATED MINIMUM POLICE SELECTION STANDARDS: (1) MOST POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE SMALL AND DO NOT HAVE APPROPRIATE SELECTION METHODS; (2) MANY POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE NOT COVERED BY STATE CIVIL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS OR SIMILAR BINDING STATUTES; (3) THE STATE HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN AND AN OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SAFETY AND PROTECTION FOR CITIZENS; (4) THE STATE GENERALLY BESTOWS ITS ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY ON SWORN LAW OFFICERS; AND (5) MANDATED STANDARDS MAY REDUCE CIVIL SUITS AND ALLEGATIONS OF DISCRIMINATION, MAY PRODUCE GREATER PERSONNEL SELECTION EFFICIENCY, AND MAY CREATE A HIGHER LEVEL OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.