Policing Expert’s Studies Show Bill to Change Age, Education for California Cops has Merit
CSUF Criminal Justice Professor Christine Gardiner conducted two major studies on the role of higher education in policing Dec. 21, 2020 Share This:
A national study by Christine Gardiner, professor of criminal justice at CSUF, shows the role of higher education in policing.
Democratic California Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer of Los Angeles has proposed AB-89 to require law enforcement officers be a least 25 or have a bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree from an accredited college or university.
A national study by Christine Gardiner, professor of criminal justice at Cal State Fullerton, Policing around the Nation: Education, Philosophy, and Practice, shows the role of higher education in policing. Her statewide study shows California has more college-educated officers than most places across the nation.
Should law enforcement officers in California be required to have a college degree? A newly proposed bill would introduce new standards that would have to be met in order to qualify as a police officer in California.
Last week, Democratic State Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer of Los Angeles introduced AB-89, which would require individuals who want to become police officers to be at least 25 years of age. Those under 25 could still become police officers, but they would be required to have a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited college or university. Current state law requires police officers be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. California Highway Patrol officers must be at least 20 years old.