Financial Returns for Higher Education

Financial Returns For High Education

When I think about law enforcement, I picture an ideal department in which they select officers that hold at least a two-year degree and the peace officers standards training certificate (POST). Studies from research in recent years show that education seems to be a cornerstone to a better police officer in regards to strong work ethics and a better decision-making process. So I pose this question: will a higher education benefit police officers and their departments? This paper will discuss the benefits of why education matters in law enforcement, and if the degree even matters to agencies across America, what a four year degree costs, and if it is worth the risks to obtain the education.
The requirement to become an officer will vary from agency to agency and state to state, but all officers have to generally be at least 21 years of age and successfully complete (POST). An individual can apply for a job without a POST certificate, and often times the agency will sponsor the newly hired individual through the academy. POST teaches future officers the constitution and general laws within the state. POST also creates a foundation of occupational knowledge.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics website, “More than a third (36%) of agencies targeted applicants who possessed prior law enforcement experience for sworn positions, including about half of agencies employing 100 or more officers. Smaller percentages of agencies targeted applicants who were military veterans (17%), multilingual (16%), or 4-year College graduates (14%)” (Reaves, 2012).
One study supported this by stating, “College education instills a degree of professionalism and maturity that is needed and valued at higher organizational levels” (Donald N. Tuxillo, 1998). The article also advises that education gives, “greater ability to analyze situations, to exercise discretion independently, and to make judicious decisions” (Victor E Kappeler, 1992). This is a very important skill to have since discretion is something that officers use on a regular basis. “College educated Officers tend to have better peer relationships, strong moral character that reflects a sense of conscience and the qualities of honesty, reliability, and tolerance, than non-college-educated officers”
Another study had a different spin on the benefits of having educated officers in their department. This was from the Journal of Police Science & Administration. In this study it advises there are correlations between higher education and, “fewer injuries, disciplinary actions from accidents, preventable accidents, and sick days used per year” (Cascio, 1977). All of these types of incidents can cost the department money for insurance, overtime to cover shifts for injuries that are sustained and public relations with the community. In an interview with Cedar City human resource manager Natasha Hirschi, she stated that this agency was looking for a well-rounded applicant and she did not show a preference for either an educated or an experienced officer. Mrs. Hirschi said, “Ultimately if it came down to choosing the best candidate, the chief would look at personalities that best match the agency.” I recently had a conversation with Professor Dempsey and he stated, “The job growth is exponential across American departments, and agencies are projected to hire 40,000 to 60,000 new entry-level police officers this year.” Utah had a 2010 estimated job growth of 4,860, and experts’ project that by 2020 there will be 5,000 more jobs for entry level law enforcement amongst state and local departments. Also, it is safe to say that these estimated numbers probably include some lateral transfers, but for operational terms, the department will be hiring a new person for their agency. “Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow 10 percent over the 2008–18 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Population growth is the main source of demand for police services” There will always be a demand for public service workers such as police officers, because of growing populations and retirements.
According to the 2012-13 reports released by the College Board, the average amount of money that a person will spend per year for an undergraduate degree at a public college will be close to “$8,655 for tuition, and it is also estimated that a student will pay $7,419 for housing, $1,229 for books and supplies, $1,648 for transportation, and $2,157 for other expenses, bringing a grand total of $21,108 per year to attend college” (College Board, 2013). Southern Utah University (SUU) weighs in at less than the national average for tuition and fees. The cost the university has estimated my education as $5,576 per year for tuition, $1,600 for books and supplies, $6,458 housing, and $4,000 for transportation and other expenses, in which totals to $17,634 to attend SUU.
Tuition is determined on an annual basis and in most cases it increases by a small percentage each year. A bachelor 's degree is commonly referred to as a four-year degree since it takes most students four years to satisfactorily complete all course requirements. Taking a semester or even a year off may cause the tuition bill to increase since the student will not be exempt from annual tuition increases. Similarly, if one attends class on a part-time basis or fail to complete your course requirements on time, one will likely end up paying more than the average tuition amount. Scholarships and grants can significantly reduce college debt.
The national average in years to complete a bachelor’s degree is taking some individuals about five to six years, due to having to take a lesser class load to work or taking some semesters off at some point in the educational journey. According to the Department of Education, “fewer than 40% of students who enter college each year graduate within four years, while almost 60% of students graduate in six years” (Luckerson, 2013).
The question raised: is college worth the time and money? Over a person 's lifetime, the gap between having a high school diploma and a bachelor 's degree is estimated by the College Board to be close to “$800,000 to one million dollars” (College Board, 2008). According to John Green, a YouTube Vologger, writer, and educator states, “to make college actually pay for itself, it only takes an individual making a $1.75 more an hour” (Green, 2012). In my opinion, I feel like education is something that will always make someone more appealing, and a better candidate when applying for positions.
Having a college degree puts an individual in a better position than a person with just a high school diploma. With the increased budget cuts across the country, employers have a better pool and more educated applicants apply. Jobs are on the rise in larger cities, but unfortunately, Iron County could possibly hire one to three people over the next year, according to the human resource department. The last time there was an open position it was for a Cedar City dogcatcher. There were seventy applicants, but only fifteen people were asked to participate in a preliminary interview. From there, the department will choose five to have a medical exam, background check, a psychological exam, and a final interview. The application process for police officers is very extensive and the results of that process may take up to a few months.
From the research I have done on higher education and its effectiveness over one’s lifetime, the conclusion I draw is that education is in fact the best investment someone could make in his or her lifetime. No one can take that education away, and it is a benefit to any police officer or any person aspiring to become a police officer. Higher education helps build on the foundation that the police academy gives to an officer. Police agencies look for applicants that can give their department a better advantage to lessen crime in their jurisdictions. College education is worth the time and money to obtain, and if the individual is willing to make life-changing decisions, the education can lead to better career opportunities.
The role of a police officer is different from any other role in society. Education is becoming more important to the police profession due to the advanced crimes that are being committed and the evolving needs of the community. The ability to retain educated police officers is important to any agency, and the key to retaining educated police officers is higher pay and advancement opportunities.
Recommendations and Findings:
1. College education is desirable for police officers, for reasons stated above.
2. College education is worth the time and money, for the reasons stated above.
3. Reallocate budgets to increase pay incentives for educated officers, for the reasons stated above.

Works Cited
Cascio, W. F. (1977). Formal Education and Police Officer Performance. Journal of Police Science & Administration, 89-96.

College Board (2008). Median earnings and tax payments by educational level, 2008. (2008). Retrieved from http://trends.collegeboard.org/education-pays/figures-tables/median-earnings-and-tax-payments-education-level-2008.

College Board (2013). Average estimated undergraduate budget, 2012-2013. College Board, Retrieved from http://trends.collegeboard.org/college-pricing/figures-tables/average-estimated-undergraduate-budgets-2012-13.

Donald N. Tuxillo, S. R. (1998). College Education and Police Job Performance: A Ten Year Study. Public Personel Management, 269-280.

Green, J. (2012, August 21). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_N7MAr98CI

Luckerson, V. (2013, January 10). The myth of the four-year college degree. Time: Business & money, Retrieved from http://business.time.com/2013/01/10/the-myth-of-the-4-year-college-degree/.

Reaves, B. A. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Publications & Product Detail. (2012). Hiring and retention of state and local law enforcement officers, 2008 - statistical tables (NCJ 238251). Retrieved from Office of Justice Programs website: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=4514.

Victor E Kappeler, A. D. (1992). Police Officer Higher Education, Citizen Complaints and Departmental Rule Violations. American Journal of Police, 37-54.

Wascher, K. (n.d.). How much does a bachelor 's degree cost? . Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/facts_6947982_much-bachelor_s-degree-cost_.html

Cited: Cascio, W. F. (1977). Formal Education and Police Officer Performance. Journal of Police Science & Administration, 89-96. College Board (2008). Median earnings and tax payments by educational level, 2008. (2008). Retrieved from http://trends.collegeboard.org/education-pays/figures-tables/median-earnings-and-tax-payments-education-level-2008. College Board (2013). Average estimated undergraduate budget, 2012-2013. College Board, Retrieved from http://trends.collegeboard.org/college-pricing/figures-tables/average-estimated-undergraduate-budgets-2012-13. Donald N. Tuxillo, S. R. (1998). College Education and Police Job Performance: A Ten Year Study. Public Personel Management, 269-280. Green, J. (2012, August 21). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_N7MAr98CI Luckerson, V. (2013, January 10). The myth of the four-year college degree. Time: Business & money, Retrieved from http://business.time.com/2013/01/10/the-myth-of-the-4-year-college-degree/. Reaves, B. A. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Publications & Product Detail. (2012). Hiring and retention of state and local law enforcement officers, 2008 - statistical tables (NCJ 238251). Retrieved from Office of Justice Programs website: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=4514. Victor E Kappeler, A. D. (1992). Police Officer Higher Education, Citizen Complaints and Departmental Rule Violations. American Journal of Police, 37-54. Wascher, K. (n.d.). How much does a bachelor 's degree cost? . Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/facts_6947982_much-bachelor_s-degree-cost_.html