NCJ Number
46072
Editor(s)
M NEARY
Date Published
1977
Length
80 pages
Annotation
THIS TRANSCRIPT OF THE SYMPOSIUM ON HIGHER EDUCATION FOR POLICE CONTAINS EDITED DISCUSSIONS FROM WORKSHOPS ON THE VALUE OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR POLICE, CURRICULUM FOR 2 AND 4-YEAR PROGRAMS, AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THE SYMPOSIUM, HELD IN KANSAS CITY IN OCTOBER 1975, WAS TO REEVALUATE AND REASSESS POLICE EDUCATION. DISCUSSION IN THE CURRICULUM WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON THE VALUE OF LIBERAL ARTS COURSES IN THE POLICE EDUCATION PROGRAM. SEVERAL SPEAKERS COMMENTED THAT EVEN IN THE 2-YEAR COURSES STUDENTS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO COPE WITH A CHANGING SOCIETY AND THAT LEARNING HOW TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEMS OBJECTIVELY, HOW TO EVALUATE FINDINGS, AND HOW TO ESTABLISH PRIORITIES IN PART OF THIS COPING PROCESS. LIBERAL ARTS COURSES SHOULD DEFINITELY BE PART OF THE 4-YEAR CURRICULUM. ADMINISTRATIVE EDUCATION SHOULD FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP. THE OFFICER WHO COMES UP THROUGH THE RANKS LEARNS TO FOLLOW, BUT NOT HOW TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIRECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT. THE PROBLEM OF EMPLOYMENT IS CENTRAL. THE PROBLEM WITH A SOCIOLOGY DEGREE IS THAT THERE IS NO PLACE TO USE IT IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TODAY. PRACTICAL COURSES SHOULD BE OFFERED ALONG WITH THE LIBERAL ARTS COURSES TO GIVE JOB SKILLS TO THE HOLDER OF A BACHELOR'S DEGREE. THIS TYPE OF THINKING IS UPSETTING TO TRADITIONAL COLLEGES. THEY PREFER TO KEEP THEIR LIBERAL ARTS PROGRAMS IN A TRADITIONAL MOLD AND PUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM INTO ANOTHER CORNER OF THE CAMPUS. THE POLICE STUDENTS ARE URGED TO TAKE CRIMINOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY COURSES BUT THE LIBERAL ARTS STUDENTS ARE NOT URGED TO TAKE POLICE COURSES, EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT ENJOY THAT TYPE OF WORK. EXISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS NEED TO EVALUATE COURSE CONTENT, FACULTY, AND REQUIREMENTS TO MAKE SURE THEY TRULY SERVE POLICE NEEDS. NEW PROGRAMS MUST MAKE SURE A SOUND RATIONALE IS FOUND FOR EACH REQUIREMENT. AS FOR FACULTY, IT WAS AGREED THAT THE PERSON WITH SOME PRACTICAL POLICE EXPERIENCE DOES A MUCH BETTER JOB OF REACHING AND HOLDING THE STUDENTS -- ESPECIALLY IF THE STUDENTS HAVE HAD SOME POLICE EXPERIENCE THEMSELVES. THE WORKING POLICE OFFICER HAS LITTLE USE FOR THE PROFESSOR WHO IS ALL THEORY BUT HAS NO PRACTICAL BACKGROUND. (GLR)