Required Character Traits For LE

Frank Borelli Editor-in-Chief Officer.com So, a couple weeks back I posted a blog about whether or not a college education should be required for law enforcement professionals.  That blog was the most active I've seen in some time... and certainly the most active one I've ever posted.  There were 35 comments posted that (in general) ranged from "nope; college is a waste" to "absolutely college should be a requirement."  It occurs to me that college is just one potential requirement.  What might the others be? In a different conversation the question was asked how the police academy goes about training people who usually avoid conflict in how to go into it.  Face it: some folks just would always rather walk away from every disagreement.  Cops can't - not always.  There are times where we KNOW there's going to be a fight to get someone in cuffs and we have to take that head on.  We can't just walk away.  Our duty doesn't permit it. Between those two different thoughts - one about education and one about character - I began to wonder what else should be required to be a police officer or sheriff's deputy.  Do you have a list?  I'm sure your agency does. Most agencies require people of integrity - as proven by not having a criminal history; having a good driving record; having a good credit report. Most agencies require people who are capable of obeying the law and controlling their temper - as proven by not having a criminal history (redundant I know, BUT) and not having any complaints of domestic violence. Most agencies require people to be free of emotional or mental conditions that would render them incapable of performing law enforcement duties in a rational and impartial manner.  (For what it's worth, ALL of us can only do that to a certain extent.  I've never met the cop who was 100% here). In my blog about college education I made the statement that, "I’d rather have the guy next to me in uniform be a military service veteran than a college graduate."  Part of the reason I made that statement - which aggravated more than one respondent - was because I believe people who have served in the military have learned and/or displayed certain character traits I value in a police officer. Those character traits would be:

• a sense of duty
• the ability to ignore discomfort to complete a task
• a certain level of courage - in all its forms
• a certain level of personal honor
• a minimum level of personal discipline required of all uniformed services

Sure, those are just a few things; five in fact.  But those are five things that I consider to be massively important if a person - of either gender - is going to be a good law enforcement professional. Some respondents to my blog about college education cited the fact that the additional time after high school, before police work - that time spent in college - allowed for people to gain more "life's experience."  I agree 100%.  But couldn't that life's experience be gained just as well in the service? or working full time? or doing anything else productive?  I mean, it's still two to four years of life lived whether you're in college or not. Don't get me wrong.  This blog isn't an argument against requiring college.  I think more education is better.  However, education is only one aspect of the potential cadet that I believe we need to consider.  The PhD who can't put his hands on someone to arrest them is a waste as a police officer. Unfortunately, I don't think there's a way we can easily measure those five character traits in an applicant until we've seen them perform day to day. Your thoughts?