Higher Education and Law Enforcement Career Paths: Is the Road to Success Paved by Degree?

• NCJ Number: 189068
• Journal: Journal of Criminal Justice Education Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2001 Pages: 77-99
• Author(s): O. Elmer Polk; David A. Armstrong
• Editor(s): N. Prabha Unnithan
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 23 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study addressed the effects of education on the career paths of advanced or specialized (supervisory or administrative) Texas law enforcement officers.

Abstract

This study explored how educational levels slowed or accelerated the career paths of advanced or specialized law enforcement officers. To examine the issue of law enforcement agency recognition and reward for officers who had achieved various levels of higher education, three questions were posed. Question (1): Was there a differential distribution of law enforcement personnel by education among those holding advanced or specialized positions in Texas law enforcement agencies? Question (2): What was the impact of education on the time a position was held in the career paths of law enforcement personnel holding advanced or specialized positions in Texas law enforcement agencies? Question (3): Did higher education increase the likelihood of law enforcement personnel receiving advanced or specialized assignments? The study consisted of Texas respondents only, working in agencies having 150 or more sworn personnel or 200 or more total personnel. Findings revealed a statistically significant differential distribution of personnel by education. Respondents completing college or graduate work were much more likely to hold positions as commanders or supervisors and those with high school or less were more likely to hold an officer position. Experience showed to be the strongest predictor, followed by education, in the amount of time spent in each assignment prior to a promotion or transfer. In addition, the analysis of rank categories showed that those holding the highest (current education) and lowest (education at time of employment) levels of education were most likely to hold command rank while those in the middle were more likely to hold supervisory positions. Implications of the study showed that higher education enhanced an officer’s probability of rising to the top regardless of whether the agency required a college degree as a precondition of employment. References.