NCJ Number
43175
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 44 Issue: 8 Dated: (AUGUST 1977) Pages: 26-27
Date Published
1977
Length
2 pages
Annotation
AS LOCAL POLICE AGENCIES BECOME MORE COMPLEX AND COMMUNITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS REQUIRE MORE BACKGROUND UNDERSTANDING, THE NEED FOR WELL-EDUCATED POLICE ADMINISTRATORS BECOMES EVIDENT.
Abstract
RISING THROUGH THE RANKS IS NO LONGER SUFFICIENT BACKGROUND FOR A POLICE ADMINISTRATOR. THE PRESIDENT'S CRIME COMMISSION TASK FORCE REPORT (1967), THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS (1973), AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (1976) HAVE ALL EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR POLICE ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL. TODAY'S POLICE EXECUTIVE IS DEALING WITH CULTURAL AND RACIAL ISSUES UNKNOWN WHEN HE WAS A PATROLMAN. THE OFFICERS ON HIS FORCE ARE MORE EDUCATED AND LESS LIKELY TO ACCEPT TRADITIONAL OPERATING PROCEDURES. GOOD MANAGEMENT IS ESSENTIAL IN TODAY'S WORLD OF BUDGETARY RESTRAINTS. ALSO, THE POLICE ADMINISTRATOR DEALS WITH A VARIETY OF OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY HEADS, MOST OF WHOM ARE WELL-EDUCATED. UNLESS HE, TOO, IS EDUCATED, HIS CREDIBILITY WILL SUFFER IN THESE INTERGOVERNMENT DEALINGS. PARTICIPATING IN A COLLEGE PROGRAM DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT A CHIEF WILL SEEK OUT OR COME INTO CONTACT WITH MATERIALS WHICH WILL IMPROVE HIS MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL TECHNIQUES, BUT SUCH PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES NOT FOUND IN THE DAILY ROUTINE. THE 4-YEAR BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM IS RECOMMENDED BECAUSE IT PROVIDES ACCESS TO MORE GENERAL AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE, BUSINESS, AND POLICE ADMINISTRATION.