CCJ101 Criminology Skills Essay: The Need for Educated Police

This essay outline presents an argument supporting the requirement of tertiary education for police officers. It highlights the benefits of higher education in improving police behavior, enhancing critical thinking skills, and promoting ethical conduct. The outline references studies that link education levels with better discipline, reduced use of force, and improved problem-solving abilities among officers. It also addresses the need for modern police forces to possess advanced technological and communication skills, arguing that tertiary education equips officers with the necessary tools to navigate complex situations and maintain professionalism. The conclusion restates the claim that education is essential for fostering proper work ethics and enhancing the overall performance and career prospects of police officers. Desklib provides similar solved assignments and essays for students.

Running head: CRIMINOLOGY SKILLS 1
Criminology Skills
Name
Date

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1. INTRODUCTION
a. Hook- Higher education is a means to better and professional policing. From as early
as 1967, law experts have studied the relationship between police performance and
education. The arguments presented were that with the police officers educated, the
general population becomes educated with police officers being more intelligent than
the average populations (Smith, & Aamodt, 2017).
b. Claim-Studies show that officers with college degrees show overall better performance
compared to their counterparts without college degrees.
c. Plan- Setting higher qualification standards attracts candidates with high standards,
and moving the professional closer to a graduate profession. Setting tertiary qualification
ensures that policing grows as a profession. Therefore there is the need for tertiary
education so that the police force and individual police officers rip additional benefits
from tertiary education.
2. GROUNDS 1: Such benefits from tertiary education include better behavior.
a Evidence- Researchers have linked the police behavior with education levels; more
educated officers are likely to show good behavior and less educated officers are
likely to be disciplined for bad behavior (Dunham, & Alpert, 2015).
b Warrant- Officers with tertiary education are seen to be more disciplined and ethical.
In a study carried out by Association of Chief of Police in Florida shows that only 11
percent of officers who had tertiary education were subjects of disciplinary action. On
the other hand, only 7 percent of those with a college education were accounted to
have had disciplinary action taken on them.

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c Backing- Studies conducted at Michigan State University by Dr. William Terill and
Jayson Rydberg in 2014 shows that officers who have a tertiary education are less
likely to use force (Rydberg, & Terrill, 2010).
3. GROUNDS 2: Education gives police officers the skills of being creative and
improves their critical thinking skills.
a Reason- The critical thinking skills make the police officers better at the
administration, investigative procedures, and thinking.
b Warrant- Tertiary education increases their opportunities and improves their abilities
to hold higher positions and grow in their place of work.
c Further Evidence- The study conducted by Terrill and Jayson also shows that
officers with tertiary education have better negotiating skills, performance and better
techniques for solving problems (Rydberg, & Terrill, 2010).. The study further made
observations that officers with tertiary education had better communication skills.,
had better work ethics (spend less time on sick leave), were better in making a
decision independently and had fewer records of injury.
d Warrant -In a study carried out by Association of Chiefs of police in Florida shows
that officers that held undergraduate degrees had a performance which was at per
with other officers who had an experience of ten years.
e Backing -Therefore, tertiary education not only improves the overall performance of
the police but brings more positive outcomes in the work place (Josi, & Sechrest,
2008).

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4. GROUNDS 3: Tertiary education for police officers also improves ethics, which
consequently improves resistance to corruption, reduces abuse of power which is institutional
and reduces cases of harassments in the place of work.
a. Reason -The nature of work of police officers causes them to band together and
create a sub-culture of insulation from others in the society and secrecy. The
nature of their job exposes them to danger and the need to use force in self-
defense in life-threatening situations (Siegel, & Worrall, 2018).). The nature of
policing also presents the problem of corruption and misconduct which makes it
hard to eradicate such behaviors.
b. Warrant- When police officers are equipped with tertiary education, they are
equipped with tools needed day-to-day problems during interactions without the
need for physical or deadly force. Hence lives will be saved.
c. Backing- Also, officers with a college education have been shown to have lower
levels of physical and verbal callouts, thus being able to relate well with suspects.
With the reduction of physical force, many people do not end up being arrested
for resisting arrest or obstruction of justice.
5. CONCLUSION
a. Summary- In the last thirty years, law enforcement has dramatically changed. In the
wake of new technologies and introduction of new policing structures, a high
educated police force is being called for. To function in the modern technical society,
communication skills and computer skills are key requirements for one to function

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(Frost, Freilich, & Clear, 2009). While policing did not require advanced education in
the past, the times have changed, hence the need for tertiary education.
b. Restatement of Claim- The world today needs police officers with up to date skills
in technology going beyond the traditional systems. It is time the government became
serious about tertiary education for officers. While education cannot replace years of
experience and the street smarts in the enforcement of the law, it would be a great
stride in improving ethics and how policing is conducted. With all said, education is
the path to proper work ethics and true professionalism. With all the given evidence,
research proves that tertiary education improves the performance of officers in their
daily duties, and during their careers, officers with a degree have better chances to
improve, climb up the career ladder and get better opportunities in their work place.

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References
Dunham, R. G., & Alpert, G. P. (2015). Critical issues in policing: Contemporary readings.
Waveland Press.
Frost, N., Freilich, J., & Clear, T. (2009). Contemporary Issues in criminal justice policy.
Cengage Learning.
Josi, D. A., & Sechrest, D. K. (2008). The changing career of the correctional officer: Policy
implications for the 21st century. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Rydberg, J., & Terrill, W. (2010). The effect of higher education on police behavior. Police
quarterly, 13(1), 92-120.
Siegel, L. J., & Worrall, J. L. (2018). Essentials of criminal justice. Cengage Learning.
Smith, S. M., & Aamodt, M. G. (2017). The relationship between education, experience, and
police performance. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 12(2), 7-14.