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�ANAGlNG IN THE '9�S . Do Su rv�s�rs p� � n d s. � hen more rhan 500 active police sergeants, lieu- teoartts and captains were asked if they sho�ld be required to have college degrees, must said, "yes." When they were t�en asked to briefly explain their answers in wnt- ing, the resuits got muci� more interesting. The poIice supervisots surveyecl were selected at random from small, medium and large agencies across the country. The survey was conducted anonymously so respondents co�id provide honest, �andid, aad straight- forward answers. As a result, tt►eir responses were just that, both pro and con. A sergeant from a smatl depart- ment in Virginia responded that a coi- lege degree shouId not be required of police supervisors. He then wrote, "A good supervisor with a thorough knowledge of his job and good people slalis does not need a de�ee to do the job, bat it also couldn't 6urt to further his or her education." From a mec�um-sized sherif�s deparimeut in �ivricla, a sergeant with 18 years experieuce in the sesgeant's ranlc indicated, "Yes," police supervi- sors should be required to have col- iege degrees. He wrote, "Supervisors must be abte to communicate and to review others' communications. College prepares the individual for those skills." These differing responses were typ- ical for those who hold the raalc of sergeant. Survey results showed that 52% of the sergeants said "yes" to a college degree requirement, whi2e 47% said "no," and 1%did not answer. Lieutenants voted their prefcr- ences in almost the exact same per- centages. However, those holciing the rank of captain and above placed morc emphasis on requiring a colIege degree for supervisors, with nearly two-thirds of them saying "yes" to a degree req�irement_ From a large county agency in V(aryland, a captain wrote, "Communications skills, both verbal and written, are needed to be effective and require advanced education." Hc holds a master's degree. Yet, another ca�tain from a small departinent ui New York said "no° to the degree requirement and stated, "I feel high school and experiences on the job is good enough." �Ie has no degrees. A potice chief who has woriced his way up through the ranks, working at ieasE five years cach as a sergeant, a lieutenant, a captain and a chief, voted "yes" far a degree requiremcnt_ "Today's demands on police supervi- sors make it essentiai," he stated. He has a bachelor's degree. Although the number of supeni- sors in favor of a degree requirement represented the majority view, even many of those answering "no" to the de�ee requircment thought coliege was a good idea. Here are some of therr opir►ions: A six-year sergeant from Wisconsin stated, "No requirement i; necessary. But it s�ould he urged and the promorional process shoufd �ive ' Should pofice supervisors be required to have coilege degrees? i { 80% 70% � 6p% ; 'i 50% � i � 40% I I � 30% 2�% 10°/a 0% 75 Law Enforcement Technology • March 19°9 Corparai/ Lieutenant Gaptai� Major Sergeant . No . Yes