Abstract

Abstract This article describes the findings of a recent national survey of 958 local (municipal and county) law enforcement agencies on the subject of higher education in US policing. It is the first national study in 30 years to examine the issue and in 40 years to examine higher education in small departments. Findings reveal that minimum education requirements to be hired, which are primarily dictated by state standards, have not changed significantly since 1988 but CEO education has changed and is highly important for agency policy and practice. Although a college degree is not usually required to be hired, it is usually required to promote to higher ranks. About half (51.5%) of sworn officers in the US who work for local agencies have a 2-year degree or higher, 28.6% have a 4-year degree or higher, and 5.4% have a graduate degree but this varies considerably by agency size, type, region, Chief/Sheriff education level, and union presence. Implications for improving education in policing are discussed.

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