Education Matters

Posted on September 7, 2010 by Oscar Gordon

“There’s so much more discretion with the use of force and more room for biases to play out,” Terrill said. “High-school educated officers are more apt to say, ‘I’m the law and I have the authority to make you do it, and I’m going to put my hands on you and make you do it.’ Officers with a four-year degree are more skilled at resolving problems without having to resort to force. They’re giving the citizen alternative means of compliance. They’re not just relying on the stick.”

It’s an interesting study, worth reading.  My feelings – The successful completion of a four-year degree requires the development of a great deal of self-discipline, as well as fostering a mind that seeks to problem solve, not smash.
It’s also interesting that you need a bachelors degree to teach, to be an engineer, to be an accountant (I think), etc.  In most places, you need a Master’s degree to sit behind the reference desk at your local library.  But you can be an officer of the law with a high school diploma, and in 54 months, make as much as an engineer with a Master’s degree.  I think for that much pay, & the responsibilities & powers an officer has, should require more than just the police academy.

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3 Responses to Education Matters

  1. JebTexas says:
    September 7, 2010 at 11:16 am

    I must disagree with you on the salary issue. In Texas, a UT/A&M/Tech MS engie after 5 years will be pulling down $60-70K unless he’s in the oil bidness, where he pulls who knows? That’s for doing engineering, if he went sales, or some other non-engineering application the sky’s the limit. Average starting salary for UT grads (BS) in 2006 was $36K. I doubt police do that well.

  2. dustydog says:
    September 7, 2010 at 11:20 am

    Indemnity is a huge intangible benefit, worth tens of thousands of dollars in compensation. A bad programmer, doctor or lawyer might get sued. A bad cop, teacher, judge, bureaucrat is insulated from consequences.

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