The effects of college education on professional attitudes among police

Abstract

This paper, reporting the results of a survey of 177 patrol officers in 11 police departments in three New England states and New York State, examines the effects of college education on patrol officers' views regarding attitudinal attributes identified in the literature on police professionalism. Educational level was not found related to the service ideal, as shown by support for the service function and a more positive attitude toward the public, or to greater emphasis in exercising discretion. Educational level was found to be related to placing greater value on the importance of ethical conduct, but it was not found to be related to intolerance toward the misconduct of fellow officers. Education also is related to a less parochial organizational identity and insularity because it increases support for lateral entry and decreases support for maintaining organizational secrets.