Many Police Departments Want College Degrees Or Enrollment In Law Enforcement Training Classes

By Sally Delacruz


In order to be promoted within the department, many police positions require a college education. Some require it as a hiring requirement. There are a large number of law enforcement training classes available to fulfill these regulations.

A degree can be earned in many different areas of law enforcement, processing and investigation are two. A position in gathering and processing fingerprints is a specialty. A four-year degree in forensic science can open many doorways within the department.

Becoming qualified as a police officer is a difficult procedure. He or she must endure various experiences. One example is being pepper sprayed. Every recruit takes and passes a certification course before going out on the job.

Some recruit training programs keep the recruits in dormitories that are like those of college students. Physically challenging tasks are the norm. Some studies can require a lot of reading and memorizing.

There is no long hair or pony tail allowed for men. There is no make-up worn by the women. Appearance and conduct are closely monitored and the standards upheld.

They spend approximately six to eight months at the police academy preparing to work as an officer. Every state is entitled to set requirements for that locality. Coursework may or may not be offered by colleges affiliated with police agencies.

Courses are taught by senior police officers. Some departments allow recruits to be hired and then trained without cost. Getting a degree in one of the specified programs is done at the students expense.

Some type of written exam will be required. Then there will be drug and alcohol testing and a physical fitness course to pass. Background checks must reveal no criminal record and recruits must be twenty-one or older. Other requirements vary.

At one time a new officer received on-the-job training with his partner being the instructor. The experienced partners taught the ropes to the novice officer, relying on his own experiences. Expected arrest scenarios and making actual arrests introduced him to the rigors of the job.

Some possible examples from a department might include learning to use firearms in 113 hours of training, driving a police car in 40 hours and academic courses taking 230 hours. Legal studies might take 105 hours and human relations 100 hours.

Officers need to be knowledgeable about the laws they are enforcing. Entering a suspects residence without proper authority can prevent the suspect from being prosecuted successfully in court. Domestic violence calls now are required to include an arrest of one or both people.

Not only when, but under what circumstances an arrest can be made must be understood. Special areas are explored and recruits are taught the best way to handle them. One specialty often seen on television shows is hostage negotiating.

Ethics may not sound like an actionable offense. However, officers must learn what is ethical on their part and how they treat alleged criminals. Civil rights and race relations are explored and learned.

Common sense cannot be taught. But, the things you can and cannot do on the job can be taught. There are decisions that promote successful arrests and those that do not. An officer must be ready to deal with brutally violent individuals without sinking to their level in the interaction.




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Many Police Departments Want College Degrees Or Enrollment In Law Enforcement Training Classes

By Sally Delacruz


In order to be promoted within the department, many police positions require a college education. Some require it as a hiring requirement. There are a large number of law enforcement training classes available to fulfill these regulations.

A degree can be earned in many different areas of law enforcement, processing and investigation are two. A position in gathering and processing fingerprints is a specialty. A four-year degree in forensic science can open many doorways within the department.

Becoming qualified as a police officer is a difficult procedure. He or she must endure various experiences. One example is being pepper sprayed. Every recruit takes and passes a certification course before going out on the job.

Some recruit training programs keep the recruits in dormitories that are like those of college students. Physically challenging tasks are the norm. Some studies can require a lot of reading and memorizing.

There is no long hair or pony tail allowed for men. There is no make-up worn by the women. Appearance and conduct are closely monitored and the standards upheld.

They spend approximately six to eight months at the police academy preparing to work as an officer. Every state is entitled to set requirements for that locality. Coursework may or may not be offered by colleges affiliated with police agencies.

Courses are taught by senior police officers. Some departments allow recruits to be hired and then trained without cost. Getting a degree in one of the specified programs is done at the students expense.

Some type of written exam will be required. Then there will be drug and alcohol testing and a physical fitness course to pass. Background checks must reveal no criminal record and recruits must be twenty-one or older. Other requirements vary.

At one time a new officer received on-the-job training with his partner being the instructor. The experienced partners taught the ropes to the novice officer, relying on his own experiences. Expected arrest scenarios and making actual arrests introduced him to the rigors of the job.

Some possible examples from a department might include learning to use firearms in 113 hours of training, driving a police car in 40 hours and academic courses taking 230 hours. Legal studies might take 105 hours and human relations 100 hours.

Officers need to be knowledgeable about the laws they are enforcing. Entering a suspects residence without proper authority can prevent the suspect from being prosecuted successfully in court. Domestic violence calls now are required to include an arrest of one or both people.

Not only when, but under what circumstances an arrest can be made must be understood. Special areas are explored and recruits are taught the best way to handle them. One specialty often seen on television shows is hostage negotiating.

Ethics may not sound like an actionable offense. However, officers must learn what is ethical on their part and how they treat alleged criminals. Civil rights and race relations are explored and learned.

Common sense cannot be taught. But, the things you can and cannot do on the job can be taught. There are decisions that promote successful arrests and those that do not. An officer must be ready to deal with brutally violent individuals without sinking to their level in the interaction.




About the Author: