NCJ Number
54683
Date Published
1978
Length
300 pages
Annotation
ON THE BASIS OF A 2-YEAR NATIONAL SURVEY OF POLICE EDUCATION PROGRAMS, THIS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW DOCUMENTS THE PROBLEMS OF POLICE HIGHER EDUCATION AND MAKES NECESSARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EFFECTING CHANGE.
Abstract
THE VOLUME EXAMINES WHAT SUBJECTS SHOULD BE TAUGHT FOR POLICE CAREERS, WHO SHOULD TEACH THEM, WHO SHOULD STUDY THEM, HOW COLLEGES SHOULD USE POLICE EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND HOW POLICE PERSONNEL POLICIES SHOULD TAKE SUCH PROGRAMS INTO ACCOUNT. CONFLICTING VIEWS ON THE IMPACT OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR POLICE ON INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS AND ON THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE POLICE ARE ANALYZED, AND SUGGESTIONS ARE OFFERED FOR UPGRADING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND FOR MAKING BETTER USE OF SUCH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INCLUDED: (1) THE MAJORITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR POLICE HIGHER EDUCATION SHOULD GO TO PROGRAMS WITH BROAD CURRICULUMS AND WELL-EDUCATED FACULTY, RATHER THAN TO NARROWLY TECHNICAL PROGRAMS; (2) NO COLLEGE CREDIT SHOULD BE GRANTED FOR ATTENDING POLICE AGENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS; (3) COMMUNITY COLLEGES SHOULD PHASE OUT THEIR TERMINAL 2-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAMS IN POLICE EDUCATION; (4) COLLEGES SHOULD EMPLOY FULL-TIME POLICE EDUCATION TEACHING STAFFS, SEEKING FACULTY MEMBERS WITH PH.D. DEGREES IN ARTS AND SCIENCE DISCIPLINES; (5) PRIOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE EMPLOYMENT SHOULD BE NEITHER A REQUIREMENT NOR A HANDICAP IN FACULTY SELECTION; AND (6) GOVERNMENT POLICIES AT ALL LEVELS SHOULD ENCOURAGE EDUCATING POLICE OFFICERS BEFORE THEY BEGIN THEIR CAREERS. REFERENCES, TABULAR DATA, AND AN INDEX ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--KBL)