Degree

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Memphis, TN is considering a requirement that all new officers must have a four year college degree.  That department has had an on-going problem with officers being arrested both on and off duty for criminal behavior.  I am all in favor of education, however, basic police work does not require a bachelors degree.

I would suggest that a high school diploma is enough for police officers.  A two year degree could be required for corporal.  Additional responsibility and additional education is not unreasonable.  I would require a four year degree for sergeant, and a masters degree for lieutenant.  I would also permit the agency to waive the requirement one time, so that an officer could be promoted to corporal without a degree or a sergeant could be promoted to lieutenant without a masters degree.  Failure to obtain the needed degree would simply halt their additional promotion.

The real problem is the morality of the officers involved.  Their education is not the issue.  You don't have to be either smart or well educated to be moral.  A proper background check with very little tolerance for previous illegal or immoral behavior is the best way to have a good applicant.  Background checks should be done by a third party who will not be influenced by who knows who or who's related to whom on the department, that's what the SGT Says.