Issue
As the call for police reform continues, law enforcement departments should implement more education requirements for their officers. Studies have shown that police officers with a four-year college degree are less likely to use force, and departments with more college-educated officers have fewer use of force complaints and fewer terminations due to misconduct. However, there are substantial disparities among departments in the minimum education requirements needed to become a certified law enforcement officer. Increasing officers’ educational attainment and providing effective training can lead to better policing outcomes and improved police-community relationships.
Key Statistics and Facts
- Only about 15% of police departments require some level of college education, with 10% requiring a two-year degree and only 1% requiring a four-year degree.
- Police officers with a four-year degree are almost 40% less likely to use various types of force, ranging from verbal commands to causing physical injury.
- A study of police shootings across 15 years found that officers with four-year college educations were nearly 30% less likely to discharge their firearms.
- Agencies where officers had at least a two-year degree had a lower rate of civilian complaints about the use of force.
- Roughly 25% of citizens with mental health diagnoses have a history of arrest, and people with untreated mental health needs are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter.
Recommendations
As state, local, and federal lawmakers, mayors, law enforcement, and other key stakeholders consider advancing police reform, the Center for Justice Research recommends the following:1. Allocate federal, state, or local funding and benchmarks for increasing education.
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- Advocate that law enforcement agencies develop an education standard for police officers.
- Develop partnerships between police agencies and mental health services, providing agencies and professionals with a guide to best practices when interacting with individuals who need specialized attention, support, and protocol due to specific mental and physical needs.
- Standardize universal training specific to racial profiling, bias, and mental health practices.
- Engage in community conversations to access citizen perspectives and community expectations.
- Invite the U.S. Justice Department and local agencies to work with universities.
