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About Me
- Dr. Kalam
- United States
- Welcome to our Asynchronous Blog for DSC1006 Introduction to Homeland Security. You should respond to the questions and follow the instructions from our class meetings on Saturday.
This week we will discuss the issues surround hiring in the police force.
ReplyDeleteFollowing up from the last class, we learned that more emphasis is being placed on education rather than on the traditional mode of "training and development" provided at the academy.
Consider the following when responding to the discussion questions:
1. If a police officer has been on the force for 15 years, is s/he qualified for a promotion to a senior management position, even though s/he has no formal education beyond the the academy? If yes, why? If no, why not?
2. How does having a college degree help the officer on the street with decision making?
3. Should the college degree be mandatory for entry level officer positions in ALL police departments?
4. Will your college degree help you with your career? if yes, How?
Thank you for your responses,
Dr. Kalam
November 7, 2009 4:09 PM
1. If a police officer has been on the force for 15 years, is s/he qualified for a promotion to a senior management position, even though s/he has no formal education beyond the academy? If yes, why? If not, why not?
ReplyDeleteI definitely think an officer who has been on the force for 15 years is qualified for a promotion like this and the key word in this situation is: EXPERIENCE but at the same time, not all officers have the maturity demanded for this position so I believe it would be better to educate the officer for a certain amount of time before holding the position. It is complicated to come to a conclusion with this scenario because experience plays an important role in the profession but at the same time education would be helpful. I believe an officer who has been on the environment for 15 years is prepared to perform this position due to his experience but education would help him perform his duties in a more effective manner.
2. How does having a college degree help the officer on the street with decision making?
Higher education has always been a controversy in many professions but when it comes to street police officers, and after doing some research, I found that, police officers who obtain a college degree, develop certain characteristics that are necessary for the profession such as: maturity, communications skills, integrity and responsibility. These characteristics develop in a better way in the college officers than those officers who did not attend college helping them handle situations in a better way and responding more effectively. So in conclusion, a college degree will help the officer on the street with decision making in being more effective by using his communications skills to learn about relevant facts in the case and not just what it seems to be, by being mature in every situation resulting in a better performance in his decision.
3. Should the college degree be mandatory for entry level officer positions in ALL police departments?
Yes, once again, I will repeat that education is crucial for all professions in that it would help the officer be more efficient by performing his skills that were developed while in school. Communication skills, responsibility skills and the perspective of how you look at things are all affected when attending college and this will definitely help our agencies to have better police officers.
4. Will your college degree help you with your career? If yes, How?
My goal is to be an attorney, I would like to start off as a prosecutor for Broward County, which is where I live, then, after gaining experience I would like to move on to a big firm and practice civil litigation (not defense litigation). Obviously, I need to obtain 3 different degrees: AA, BAS & JD, in order to meet the qualifications of an attorney and without them I won’t be able to succeed.
1. If a police officer has been on the force for 15 years, is s/he qualified for a promotion to a senior management position, even though s/he has no formal education beyond the academy? If yes, why? If no, why not?
ReplyDeleteI don’t think that just because an individual is at a certain job place for a long period of time that it would automatically qualify that individual for a senior management position. I believe that you would have to look at the bigger picture; is that individual an outstanding employee, can this individual set a good example for his fellow coworkers, is he a good leader, does this individual have good communication skills, is this individual is good problem solver, does he/she have any history of misconduct? There are a lot of skills that this position would entitle so the matter shouldn’t be just because he/she has been on the force for a long period of time they would be able to get this job. Now, if this individual does comprise of all of the skills needed to do his job effectively then I don’t believe that education is needed. This individual has experience. What employers like about having a lot of experience is that these individuals already know what is expected, have learned how to manage certain situations and already know the department and for the most part the people that work there. I understand that a ton of work places would like for senior management position to already have formal education but the truth of the matter is that most of the time the individual who has already been at the certain job place with a good reputation for a good amount of time will get the position over the person who just has formal education.
2. How does having a college degree help the officer on the street with decision making?
Having a college degree would help an officer tremendously with decision making on the streets. Education helps analyze and interpret information faster and with better understanding. Education helps an individual better communicate and reason with other individuals when it comes to decision making. Education helps an officer be less rigid, make better decisions and able him/her to handle difficult situations with greater creativity. I truly believe that an officer would benefit a great deal with having education.
3. Should the college degree be mandatory for entry level officer positions in ALL police departments?
I don’t believe that a college degree should be MANDATORY for entry level officer positions in ALL police departments but I do believe that police departments should strive to hire individuals with college degrees. I don’t believe that a person who doesn’t have a college degree shouldn’t be able to apply for an officer position because some communities don’t have a significant group of people with college degrees but if the police department has to chose between a person with a college degree and a person without a college degree for an entry position then I believe that the wise decision for the police department would be to hire the individual with a college degree already.
4. Will your college degree help you with your career? If yes, How?
I strongly believe that my college degree will help me with my career because I know that right now a lot of agencies and departments are looking towards favoring education more. I think that not only will my education help me get in an entry level position now but as I continue my education I believe it will help me achieve a supervisor or management position, meaning more money!!!!
The system has been working since the its beginning whith the promotion of senoir officer to higher level. Yes, a 15 year veteran with officer with only academic knoledge is duly qualified for promotion to superior management postion based on the years of learning experience, on the job training, recurrent training, high job performance, discipline, achievement award and many other positive factors. The industry has an equivalency of years of experience vs college education.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, in this fast changing world of advanced technology, it is preferable, adequate, and should be mandatory to have a college degree to all entry level officer positions in all law enforcement/police department positions. Higher education enhance professionalism, create an elite corps, departmental image and prestige, the quality of job performance, the internal relationship and public socialisation, increase and demostrate ethical, creative, critical thinking; college education facilitates the the undestanding and assimilation of training, develop communication skills, creative procedures, rules, methods based on scientific reasonings. The reasons and benefits are endless; it is a step closer to a more successful crminal justice system.
1. If a police officer has been on the force for 15 years, is s/he qualified for a promotion to a senior management position, even though s/he has no formal education beyond the academy? If yes, why? If no, why not?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the situations. On one hand, although a formal education is definitely necessary to be able to think critically, analyze various assignments/tasks and obtain proper management skills, through many years of training the same could be accomplish. However, it could happen otherwise as well, meaning, the officer might perform poorly due to the lack of education. Once again it truly depends on each specific situation.
2. How does having a college degree help the officer on the street with decision making?
A college degree helps an officer on the streets in several ways. By being taught about legislation concerning law enforcement, cultural affairs, police ethics, police operation, police misconduct, police mission, socioeconomic make-up of community, structure of police department, problem-oriented policing, crime prevention and other related subjects, the police officer is able to efficiently and professionally address any given situation and/or assignment s/he might encounter
3. Should the college degree be mandatory for entry level officer positions in ALL police departments?
Yes. There are three main reasons why all law enforcement officers should have a college degree. 1) They will be better trained and educated to efficiently perform their task 2) due to the high demand of well qualified police officers and a limited number of positions available, police departments should hire the best of the best, in other words, individuals with a college education who will also be “trained and developed” on the field. 3) It encourages professionalism and efficiency amongst police officers in order to provide better service to the community and the government.
4. Will your college degree help you with your career? if yes, How?
Yes it will. I plan to become a lawyer and then a government official. By knowing about all the insights of the criminal justice system, including but not limited to stats gathered by law enforcement eg. Uniform Crime Report, and all its different areas of study, it will give me the necessary tools to efficiently represent my community and address their needs. Also it will help me protect the interest of the government as well.
1) yes he/she should be promoted regardless of the formal education,afterall it has been 15yrs, within those years enough knowledge and experience have been meet.2)maybe it can go both ways, i forexample have a degree but when in a situation out on the street i dont base my reaction on my education. other the other hand an officer might deal with it differently who knows.3) college degree should be manadatory you need atleast the fundamentals/history.4)I dont think my college degree will help me that much i think you need a combination of both college degree and experience.
ReplyDeleteI agree with lucille
ReplyDeleteALL:
ReplyDeleteI agree that a pen is a powerful tool as is the ability to rationalize your thoughts using a combination of your training and education. One is no good without the other in many cases. Yet in certain circumstances, street smarts are critical and cannot be taught to anyone except on the job.
But I would say that Knowing how to respond to difficult management issues does require that:
the person is motivated
The person has the ability
the person applies a thought process
the person evaluates their decisions....
the person IS THE KEY COMPONENT
If a police officer been on the force for 15 years, and has no formal education beyond the academy should not be qualified for a promotion to a senior management. Like said in the book education is concerned with the development of the mind. Being on that type of position (senior management) would require more than training skills.
ReplyDelete2. Having a college degree DOES help the officer on the street with decision making. I believe that a police officer with a degree would react differently than a police officer without a degree. I feel this way because an officer with a degree can think rationally.
3. I think that the college degree should not be mandatory for entry level officer positions in all police departments. I feel that the job will be done still if you do not have a degree or not. At that time some people will not be able to afford it and that will eventually discourage them to join a police department. BUT I do think that if they want to grow than they should obtain a college degree.
4. Because I want to become a police officer and then eventually become a homicide detective. I think it would be necessary for me to have a college degree.
1. If a police officer has been on the force for 15 years, is s/he qualified for a promotion to a senior management position, even though s/he has no formal education beyond the academy? If yes, why? If no, why not?
ReplyDeleteI agreed that senior manager position should require a college degree regardless of years of experience. In my department, senior management positions are appointed. This means that anybody can be appointed to any position regardless of rank or experience. Senior manager positions usually involve many managerial tasks not related to police work; such as, grant review, special operations project, stats, long term plan, budget and many more. Without a higher education many of these appointed managers will be clueless as how to perform these tasks. Therefore, higher level position should require higher level education.
To Kalam, very true
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you Prof.Kalam!
ReplyDeleteYes i definitely agree with Dr. Kalam, but like i stated in my response, education helps you develop the necessary skills.
ReplyDeletebut the person is the one who decides how to react to the requested situations, I just think that education will make it easier for the officer to come to the conclusion of the case.
ReplyDelete2. How does having a college degree help the officer on the street with decision making?
ReplyDeleteI totally agreed that higher education will improve decision making by developing the mind. I have personally experienced this. However, there is also a very important qualification that must be considered before college education. This is the ability to be street smart. Officer safety is the most important factor in police work and a Dr’s degree would not guarantee officer safety. If you are not street smart, you will get hurt or hurt others. College degree requirement for police officers brings a lot of recruitment issues to larger agencies. It is difficult to get qualify applicants without this requirement and it will be worst if the college requirement is implement.
Dr. Kalam,
ReplyDeleteStreet smart + higher education = (potential) great police officer
Mr. Quiroz, I finally agree with you on something. (haha) I think a college degree will not provide the tools for safety of the police officer,it will probably give you tips and expectations but you definitely have to be "Street Smart" when it comes to dangerous situations, since at the end of the day, you want to come back home safe to your family! Great comment Flavio!
ReplyDelete3. Should the college degree be mandatory for entry level officer positions in ALL police departments?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely not as I already touched this issue on my previous posting: “College degree requirement for police officers brings a lot of recruitment issues to larger agencies. It is difficult to get qualify applicants without this requirement and it will be worst if the college requirement is implement.”
My pleasure Erika! I am delighted we finally agree on something.
ReplyDeleteFlavio AM GLAD YOU MADE IT CLEAR
ReplyDeleteAnytime Inery
ReplyDeleteFlavio-
ReplyDeleteIf there was an opening in your department for an entry level position wouldn't you prefer an individual who has already obtained a college degree over an individual who does not have one?
4. Will your college degree help you with your career? if yes, How?
ReplyDeleteYes, college degree will definitely help me in my career. First of all, my department requires college education for senior management position and I am aiming towards that level. Second, I believe that the best workout for the mind is college education. Higher education equals mind development, particularly if you are in a classroom environment with classmates that have different cultural and professional backgrounds. Even though Dr. Kallam thinks that I am not for changes, I totally am. Specially in the sectors that improvement is needed. By going to school, I have discovered where the implementation of certain operational procedure came from. With my college education and being street smart, I am able to better analyze new procedure or improve current ones.
We pretty much express a commont idea, within the same line of logic. This is a less controversal topic. This application is great for large metroplitan area such as NYC, Chicago, Bostaon, La, etc but more flexibility should made when it is involved very small town/city, in the remote country side. In a population city of 10,000 people, away from civilization, where the police department and the fire department are together, where the closets community college is 500 miles away, these conditions are not applicable, think about!
ReplyDeleteLucille,
ReplyDeleteI personally do in some scenarios. However, my department does not give extra points for college education during the hiring process. Another issue is circumstances of the applicant, not everybody can go to school due to financial or personal issues. If I have an applicant that was supporting his/her family and it was impossible for him/her go to school, I can expect that he/she will acquire a college degree.
Flavio-
ReplyDeleteYou brought up an interesting point. Now I am not sure how the hiring process for our police departments exact goes but if it were based on a point system would you agree with me that those applicants that do have a college degree deserve extra points? Studies have shown that the more educated an officer is the more success he/she brings into a police department.
Lucille,
ReplyDeleteMy department does not have a point system; I was trying to say that they don’t give you more consideration if you have a higher education. With large departments, it is tough to get qualified applicants when not requiring college education. It will be a major recruitment problem if they do.
Yes Flavio
ReplyDeleteThe formula you pose is very appropriate. It takes more than just one thing to make it work. Can I use that...?
Flavio-
ReplyDeleteBut if it was based on a point system you wouldn't agree that those that already have obtained a college degree shouldn't be given extra points which would mean that they would be recognized as superior to those individuals that don't have one?
I have to go to work now but I'll log on again once I get out to see you're response.
Awesome discussion group!!
I agree with Professor Kalam, and education is the key.
ReplyDeleteKalam, you used a key word (potential) :)
ReplyDeleteLucille, dont forget what going on with the process for CSI :)
ReplyDeleteDr. Kalam,
ReplyDeleteNo, you don't, but being a professor is not the same that being a police officer.
Flavio Quiroz,
ReplyDeleteIf a person wants to go to school they will make a way. I did not want to school, but I had to. Everywhere I turn I see bachelor and master degrees required. What will happen if you have applicant that has a degree and supporting their family will you hire he/or she. Having education is our future, so we need to get on the ban wagon or get left behind.
Dr. Kalam,
ReplyDeleteYEs I do agree with you. There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration when hiring a police officer. Some of those factors include work ethics, proffessionalism, integrity, motivation and consistancy. Unfortunately, some of those factors can not be empirically assumed from a college degree or hours of police training...
to: Geniapetite
ReplyDeleteAlthough I believe all police officers should have at least basic college education on the field e.g. A.A. Public Management, I agree with what you say about certain people being discourage from joining the police and protect our citizens because they dont have a college degree, most often times, due to their lack of money and not because they dont want to pursue a college degree as well.
Jesus:
ReplyDeleteTrue, We cannot assume that the formula will work for all. If that was the case, we could create the perfect officer..
I agree with Erika C. that having a college degree will help the officer on the street with decison making.Because education helps with the development of the mind. Education is a personal activity in that it can serve as a main purpose to enchance the individual's ability to use his/her mind.
ReplyDeleteHa Ha! CSI on TV is purely entertainment, not reality.
ReplyDelete1.If a police officer has been on the force for 15 years, is s/he qualified for a promotion to a senior management position, even though s/he has no formal education beyond the academy? If yes, why? If no, why not?
ReplyDeleteNo, then what would be the reason for an educational institution to offer higher education in criminal justice. No one would like to accumulate substantial financial debt in student loans just to be denied a position for the reason some has 15 years on the job w/ only a high school diploma. For example, someone sets a goal of attaining a particular higher ranking say assistant director within a police dept. This individual starts their journey successfully completes the basic law enforcement academy, completes his/her probationary period and attain a masters degree in criminology awhile maintaining a clean work history. Applies for the position to be denied over someone is not equally qualified aside from the fact that they have more time on the job and no formal education. No, situations of this sort should never be. There should be criteria of higher standards in order to establish what needs to be met to even apply to certain higher positions.
2. How does having a college degree help the officer on the street with decision making?
A college degree assists officers in many aspects. Most importantly, the critical thinking combined with use of stats and facts college students are able to develop and utilize along their college career. The information that is learned within an effective class room setting will always prove useful to an officer when applying his/her best judgment or discretion.
3. Should the college degree be mandatory for entry level officer positions in ALL police departments?
Of course not, criminals would run rampant in the streets if that were the case; for the reason it is almost impossible. Many people usually decide to move on to more professionally designed careers that value applicants with higher education. Simply put, the demand would never be met for every police officer to have a college degree and maintain an efficient police dept.
4. Will your college degree help you with your career? If yes, How?
Most definitely yes, there are many college courses that prove to be a very effective asset in a law enforcement officer’s repertoire. A law enforcement officer who possesses a college education whether it is an associate’s degree or the highest level of education, it shows an employer that the individual has the capacity to co-exist and learn in a diverse environment. Also, beyond the fact that a college degree makes an applicant more marketable it also mentally readies one to properly take in and properly digest functions of demanding professions.
1. If a police officer has been on the force for 15 years, is s/he qualified for a promotion to a senior management position, even though s/he has no formal education beyond the the academy? If yes, why? If no, why not?
ReplyDeleteYes, an officer should be able to be promoted after 15 years of service even if he/she doesn't have a college degree. Experince must be accounted for. I would much rather promote a 15 year veteran than a rookie with a college degree. However, being promoted should also come with mandatory training and evaluations ensuring the officers qualifications are warrented.
2. How does having a college degree help the officer on the street with decision making?
Having a college degree could help an officers decision making because of the extended time he/she had in being educated about such issues. However, no education can match years of experience. The best case senario would be an officer with both a college degree and several years of experience.
3. Should the college degree be mandatory for entry level officer positions in ALL police departments?
No. If college degrees were mandatory for all entry level positions in law enforcement, there would be a serious lack of qualified employees.I believe that hiring personal with only a high school diploma plus encouraging them to further their education would help the officer to have both experience and education.
4. Will your college degree help you with your career? if yes, How?
Yes. A college degree will help your career in many ways. To start, just obtaining a college degree lets an employer know that you take your career seriously and sacrificed more than others who did not. Furthermore, by obtaining your college degree will also make yourself available to recieve a higher salary over thoses who did not. Lastly, having your college degree allows you the ability to develop a wider range of empathy for more diverse cultures and their different ways of experiencing life. Also, having your degree helps you to better communicate and respond to crime or service calls in a more efficent and culturally aware manner.
Genia Petit I agree with what you said about the textbook. Education is the development of the mind.
ReplyDeleteShantrell, I agree with the comment to Flavio. Because after being on a job for twenty-plus years I had to make a choice to go to college. The company was'nt promting unless you had some type of college education.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bernethia for agreeing with me. Life is about making choices. I am so tired of school, but I need it to succeed in life. If a person wants to be left behind in life they will without education.
ReplyDeleteDr. Kalam I agree with the statement that the person is the key component. However, how do you evalute all the components you listed. How can motivation or thought process be evaluated.
ReplyDeleteI think a persons record speaks for itself. If you worked hard for 20 years and didnt have a college degree but posess all the skills needed to be promoted... you should be promoted. However, once promoted you owe it to yourself to seek a college degree to help validate the position you now hold
I disagree with D Williams... slightly. I do understand why you stated that a 15yr veteran should not be promoted because of a lack of college degree. However, I would go with a persons record, professionalism, work ethic, and everything else that could make him/her qualified for a promotion. Higher Education is important. However, it wouldn't rule out an excellent employee in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAnd Shantell I also agree with you on the comment to Flavio, because I also felt the same way you did thats why i'm on the ban wagon now
ReplyDeleteWe keep forgetting that a police officers must go through a 6 to 9 month academy. That is 960 hours of minimum training. That is the equivalent of an associate degree.
ReplyDeleteineirys...
ReplyDeleteThanks, I am keeping my eyes open for CSI but I'm definitely not going to allow myself to get my hopes high anymore lol
To Elsie:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that if college degrees were mandatory. there would be a serious lack of qualified employees. This is a point where we wouldn't want it to reach.
To Erika C.:
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you, I do think that a police officer with a degree will be more mature in every situation resulting in a better performance in his decision.
To Lucille:
ReplyDeleteI think you said something very powerful when you say, "Education helps analyze and interpret information faster and with better understanding." I think the police officers without the degrees should take that into consideration especially if they want to grow.
To c_saint:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%, higher education does enhance professionalism.
Dr. Kalam,
ReplyDeleteI misunderstood you when you asked me about using my formula. You may use the formula when ever you want, just don't forget to give me credit...you taught me that way....lol
geniapetit-
ReplyDeleteFor that reason, I believe that all law enforcement agencies should provide as part of there benefits program a tuition assistance program to help officer advance in their professional development.