Does a Law Enforcement Degree Replace Police Academy Training?

There is more than one way to become a police officer. One path is to enroll in a police academy training program.  Entry requirements vary from state to state but the minimum educational standard is a high school diploma. Most police academies require at least an associate's degree to be eligible for consideration. A four-year law enforcement degree may be required as well.

Many police academy training programs accept prior military training in lieu of a college degree.  Individuals with a military police background come to the academy with experience in arrest techniques and weapons use. If this training is combined with law enforcement degree it enhances the chances an applicant has to enter a police academy.

What are the state requirements for police officers? This varies somewhat and it is essential to fulfill the educational requirements in the state the individual will work. The trend for the future is to combine a law enforcement degree with police academy training.

Ideally, a law enforcement degree provides the future police officer with skills that will be honed by police academy training. Problem solving skills and conflict resolution are two examples. The better the individual is in two areas, the more successful he will be on patrol.  A law enforcement degree allows the individuals to tailor their training somewhat; they may choose to learn Spanish or earn a degree in criminal psychology before entering the policy academy.

The general feeling is that a law enforcement degree or degree in criminal justice does not replace police academy training. Most states require an individual to complete a course through a police academy. A law enforcement degree fits hand-in-glove with police academy training. Most require advanced education in order for a police officer to be promoted. Job performance is closely scrutinized, but the police officer with an eye to promotion will continue building his or her education.