Georgia ’ s Colleges and Universities : Developing Police Officers of the Future
In recent months , police leaders across the State have been faced with social unrest and efforts to defund the police . The problem has been compounded by an exodus of officers frustrated by the lack of public support . The issues and pressures being placed upon police leaders are not unprecedented . Similar calls for changed occurred in the 1960 ’ s . While change is inevitable , many of the current proposals will prove to not be practical .
Regardless , in order to successfully address these issues , agencies must have highly qualified , educated individuals who will be able to perform to the public ’ s evolving standards . To successfully attract these individuals , agencies must expand their recruiting efforts and engage in new , more strategic approaches .
62 WINTER . 2021
One of the best ways to find these candidates is to search in areas they are more likely to be found . One such location is colleges and universities with criminal justice programs . These programs offer a unique source of highly qualified individuals who have spent their formative years developing the skills required to excel in their chosen profession . Currently , there are 58 colleges and universities in Georgia that offer a variety of certificate , diploma , and degree programs ranging from an associate to doctorate .
The benefits of college educated officers have been recognized for years to include :
• Better Ethical Decision-Making
• Greater Oral and Written Communication Skills
• Less Likely to Use Force
• More accepting of Diversity and Cultural Awareness
• More Adaptable to Administrative Change
• Understand Civil Rights Issues from Different Perspectives
• Increased Creativity and Problem Solving Skills
• Decreased Dogmatism , Authoritarianism , and Rigidity
• Understanding of the Law and
Courts 1
The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police has developed a comprehensive listing of every criminal justice program in the state .