Modern Police Departments May Require College Degrees Or Enrollment In Law Enforcement Training Classes

By Sally Delacruz


In order to be promoted within the department, many police positions require a college education. Some require it as a hiring requirement. There are a large number of law enforcement training classes available to fulfill these regulations.

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.

There are many difficult steps to becoming a police officer. One experience involves being sprayed with pepper spray to see how it feels. There is a certification process to go through successfully before one can be hired.

The recruits may live in dorms similar to college students. Training includes physically challenging tasks. They also have studying to do.

There is no long hair or pony tail allowed for men. There is no make-up worn by the women. Appearance and conduct are closely monitored and the standards upheld.

It can take anywhere from six to eight months of strenuous training at the academy to become qualified. There are different requirements in each state. There may be a college that is affiliated with the academy that tailors courses to fit the needs.

Courses are taught by senior police officers. Some departments allow recruits to be hired and then trained without cost. Getting a degree in one of the specified programs is done at the students 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.

Generations ago a new officer was hired and then trained on the job by a partner. That partner would be experienced and pass on his wisdom. Actual patrolling duties and making arrests were the experience gained.

An example given by one police department is 230 hours of academic learning and 40 hours driving police cars. Proper use of firearms requires 113 hours. There is a human relations course taking a hundred hours and law studies taking up a hundred and five.

Officers need to be knowledgeable about the laws they are enforcing. Entering a suspects residence without proper authority can prevent the suspect from being prosecuted successfully in court. Domestic violence calls now are required to include an arrest of one or both people.

An officer must be able to interpret how serious a suspects behavior is. Sometimes an arrest is appropriate and other times not needed. Each case presents different circumstances. Tactical units are called in when a situation calls for special help.

Ethics may not sound like an actionable offense. However, officers must learn what is ethical on their part and how they treat alleged criminals. Civil rights and race relations are explored and learned.

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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