NCJ Number
75845
Journal
LIBERAL EDUCATION Volume: 63 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1977) Pages: 154-158
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article advocates a college education which includes a multidisciplinary training in law, the physical sciences, public administration management, social sciences, humanities, and a small professional police science core curriculum.
Abstract
Those who oppose college-educated officers argue that college-educated officers are not good police officers, that college-educated officers expect special treatment, that minority recruitment will be hampered, and that the necessary knowledge can be learned in the street and by using common sense. These reasons are inaccurate and inadequate. By setting minimum standards of academic achievement for promotion, police officers can be motivated to pursue their studies. The well-educated police officer is also better prepared to face the challenges and complexities of police service in contemporary society. Almost all the diverse groups related to police service agree that police officers cannot function properly without being well-grounded in the behavioral sciences. Further, the police officer on the college campus is subjected to new ideas and new ways of thinking. With these new ideas and with this broader training, the police officer can gain a better understanding of the communities in which they serve.