NCJ Number
165847
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (1996) Pages: 85-96
Date Published
1996
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study addressed a longstanding debate in law enforcement circles, whether college-educated police officers performed better than police officers without a college degree, using a self-reported performance survey.
Abstract
Police officers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania localities were asked to anonymously rate their performance using a questionnaire that contained 45 separate performance indicators. Educated police officers in Howell Township, New Jersey, rated themselves higher than nondegreed police officers in all categories. Their ratings were statistically significant on knowledge of police department rules, use of safety practices, and ability to accept change. In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, educated police officers rated themselves higher on several performance indicators than nondegreed police officers, particularly with regard to employee contacts, knowledge of the law, preparation for court, quality of work assignments, level of problem-solving ability, level of arrest analysis, confidence with supervisors, quality of written work and oral presentations, self-image, and interpersonal relationships. In both samples, respondents with a college degree or higher scored better on almost all performance indicators. An appendix lists police performance indicators used in the study. 14 references, 3 notes, and 2 tables