Police training programs prepare graduates to protect and serve their communities and peers more effectively. For police officers interested in leadership roles, taking the initiative to enroll in a certified master`s degree in law enforcement leadership may be a better option than waiting for ministry-funded training. Good leadership training programs give leaders the tools they need not only to advance their careers, but also to drive positive initiatives and growth in their department. As Gregory A. Warren EdD, retired captain of the Delaware State Police Department, wrote in Police Chief Magazine, “Great leadership drives individual and organizational excellence and enables an organization to achieve its vision.” One of the most attractive reasons for a college degree for law enforcement professionals is to improve your chances in an increasingly competitive field. However, you shouldn`t let this be your only reason for education. There are many benefits associated with an associate`s, bachelor`s or master`s degree that can enhance your overall ability to perform your professional duties. Meaningful policing reform requires transformative leadership. Higher education, including college degrees, can enhance the leadership potential of criminal justice professionals and support their advancement through the ranks. Civil Service Success offers a 3-session preparation course for those applying to police academies in Suffolk County and other parts of New York City. Our instructors cover all parts of the Suffolk Country Police Examination so you can start your career in law enforcement. Students interested in pursuing a career in policing should be encouraged to pursue college studies in public safety, according to recent research that has shown the enormous positive impact of higher education in the field.
One of the most obvious benefits of police graduating from university is the ability to move more quickly to higher levels of law enforcement. In addition, a college diploma enhances the technical training skills that police officers receive at the police academy to prepare for employment. The research also showed that university-trained police officers improved their disciplinary skills such as writing, critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision-making compared to officers without a degree. These essential skills have shown that police officers with degrees are less likely to fire their weapons; less likely to use force; have fewer complaints from citizens; and use creative thinking and problem-solving skills in community policing to address social ills in communities. More information on this topic and research sources can be found in the article 5 Reasons Why Police Officers Should Have College Degrees, published in The Conversation.Woodbury is proud to offer a Public Safety Administration program where our students receive an excellent interdisciplinary education that prepares them and gives them an edge in pursuing their professional careers. Working closely and building relationships with citizens of different backgrounds, socio-economic groups and ethnicities requires a highly socially intelligent and culturally aware public servant. Research shows that college-educated agents are much more competent and accustomed to problem-solving, thinking creatively and being open-minded. It is clear that officers who have graduated from college in addition to field experience and additional training through POST and/or their law enforcement association are uniquely positioned to succeed in community policing efforts. Personal and professional growth is important for everyone, not just those in leadership positions. Formal education creates a better, balanced person who is able to think critically, solve problems, and have a broader perspective. Higher education gives you the opportunity to consider more information when making critical decisions required of professionals in our field. When you`re at a management level, it also gives you the intellectual tools to put an organization on the right track.
There is a lack of leadership training programs in law enforcement, and many traditional criminal justice programs include leadership only a small portion of their curriculum. As a generation of baby boomers retires or retires and the profession faces a number of new challenges, such as new technologies, demands for reform, community policing requirements, and structural changes, leaders who are knowledgeable about these and other current law enforcement issues are in high demand.
