NCJ Number
87614
Date Published
1982
Length
246 pages
Annotation
This study determined factors which municipal and county law enforcement personnel identify as significantly influencing their decisions regarding pursuit of a college education.
Abstract
The study considered the relationship between two sets of variables: (1) data concerning personal, work, and college environmental factors and (2) commitment to the pursuit of a 4-year college degree by factors such as educational attainment and current enrollment in college. A national random sample of 353 police departments and sheriff's offices stratified by size of agency was obtained. Within the selected departments, a 5-percent random sample of officers was selected to complete a questionnaire examining attitudes toward college. Of the respondents, 23.5 percent had achieved at least the baccalaureate degree; 24 percent of those without the degree indicated intention to pursue it without currently being enrolled, while 6.1 percent were already enrolled. Respondents indicated that enrollment decisions were most influenced by desire to improve one's mind, wish to obtain a degree for personal reasons, need to learn more about law enforcement, availability of college courses that would increase leadership skills, adequate funds to pursue college work, convenient location and scheduling of college courses, and availability of courses with opportunities for self-directed learning. Tabular data are provided. The reference list contains 65 entries. The study instruments are appended.