Many Police Departments Want College Degrees Or Enrollment In Law Enforcement Training Classes

By Sally Delacruz


Police officers who want to apply for a promotion on the force may need to have a college degree. In fact, some forces only hire new officers if they have one. Colleges offer law enforcement training classes in evidence processing and other related topics.

Degrees can be earned in many facets of law enforcement, investigation and processing. There are positions for individuals who take courses leading to a degree. Such programs as Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science and Law Enforcement lead to bachelor degrees.

Becoming qualified as a police officer is a difficult procedure. He or she must endure various experiences. One example is being pepper sprayed. Every recruit takes and passes a certification course before going out on the job.

Some recruit training programs keep the recruits in dormitories that are like those of college students. Physically challenging tasks are the norm. Some studies can require a lot of reading and memorizing.

The standards are strict. Men must have short hair. Women must be free of make-up and jewelry. The conduct of the recruits is closely assessed.

Training courses may last for six to eight months for new applicants to the police department. Each state imposes different requirements for their forces. Some colleges are affiliated with police departments and offer coursework meeting their standards.

Teaching positions are filled by senior police officers. In some departments free training is given after the individual is hired. In others, the applicant must first get a bachelor degree at his or her own expense.

Depending on the location, the requirements may include taking a written exam, a physical fitness exam and a drug test. The recruit must be twenty-one years of age with a background check that shows no criminal activity. A high school diploma and two years of college may be required.

At one time a new officer received on-the-job training with his partner being the instructor. The experienced partners taught the ropes to the novice officer, relying on his own experiences. Expected arrest scenarios and making actual arrests introduced him to the rigors of the job.

Some possible examples from a department might include learning to use firearms in 113 hours of training, driving a police car in 40 hours and academic courses taking 230 hours. Legal studies might take 105 hours and human relations 100 hours.

A qualified police officer needs knowledge of the laws he or she is enforcing. They must know when it is appropriate to enter a suspects residence. In a domestic violence incident what are the requirements for arresting one or both parties.

The Miranda law must always be administered before arresting a suspect. Other requirements for making an arrest must be understood too. Some officers receive specialized training and are knowledgeable about dealing with hostage situations.

The diplomatic ways to handle race relations and civil rights issues can be understood with training. Officers are taught what ethical standards to follow. Criminals, however heinous, must be treated decently. Hostage negotiations are an area of police work needing advanced training.

No one can teach common sense. But, the ethics training courses teach what decisions are good and which ones are detrimental. Brutal violence against victims and the officers themselves is likely to happen and an officer must be prepared to deal with it.




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