Police forces lower education standards amid staffing shortages

(NewsNation) — Police departments across the United States are lowering or eliminating education requirements in an effort to combat staffing shortages.

A 2017 National Policing Institute survey found that 81% of agencies require a high school diploma.

While more than 700,000 law enforcement officers were employed in the U.S. two years ago, the highest in a decade, the majority of agencies remain understaffed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency projects that number to increase by 4% by 2033.

From New York to California, police standards changing

In Dallas, police recruits no longer need college credits to be eligible to apply for the force. Instead, the minimum education required is a high school diploma or GED and three years of work experience. The city hopes the move will help add 1,000 new officers.

The New York Police Department recently drastically reduced the required credits to enter its police academy, from a minimum of 60 credits to 24.

Memphis and New Orleans have also changed or eliminated college education requirements within the past decade.

In contrast, California recently introduced a bill increasing the mandatory education requirements amid a record staffing shortage.

Majority of police agencies understaffed 

Labor market expert Stephanie Alston said there's little research to show a clear link between college degrees and job performance in law enforcement.

"There was a police officer who recently said that he does not believe that education will ever triumph over determination," she said. "So, if you're just determined to come in and do the job as a police officer, education shouldn't stop you from being able to do that."

Departments nationwide have struggled to recruit due to low pay and morale, prompting mixed reactions to these policy changes. Some officers have supported the shift, while others have argued that education should be incentivized.

Officer Wallace Chadwick, of Chesapeake, Virginia, supports higher standards, particularly for promotions.

"Education is very sought out, especially if you're looking to do some senior management things," he said. "Anytime law enforcement looks for promotional processes, they do look for that higher education.

"We study law, we study case law, we study the judicial process. We have to have those educational skills, and they are important in the profession."