1999_PCS_Packets - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

� �� �_ , FORENSICSCIENCE AND CRIMINaL15TICS Advanceyourpreerin fawenforzemencbyleaming more a6aut forensic sdence and aiminalistia through the Amenra n Imtitute of Applied Sdence. More than 200,OOOmenandwomen haveadrieved profasional e�erienceand personaladiievementas a resultaftheirgraduation fram theA.I.A.S_ ihe course hasgraduaresframaraundthev�id. Alanydeparmierrts in theUS. requiregraduation from the A.I.AS. caurse and pay for tbe haining or reim6urse sNdents after cnmpletian.Th� uniquecarespondencernurse wiBallaw you ta work at your awn pace. The course is fuily acued- ited, and the staffis alwaysavaiiableto assistyou. THEAUIS OFFERS THESE rnrip�FC� ' Ftngeiprirrt lde�rolft�tion • �in4erprirt �assifimtion • [riminaf Imrcstigation • �ireamu Id�affletiao _ • Alodus Operandi • QuesOortcd Dontment . polite photographr � FiGHf NEW COURSFS_ • fundamerrtals of Farensic Imrestigation - Tra� Evidenoe and tts SFgn'rfionae • Roidame�rtals of Arsan and Explasives Inre�tgation . • ihe Signitimnae of Blood ]n Crimieal ImRStlgatla� ' Faenslc lmrcstigatt�s Imo Drugs and IUmhol • Doaene�ntandValne Examinatlon ' Fu�rm�,Toolmarla and Footwear fmpressions ' lm�i9ap�9 Faensi� � as the hrcemei caura�r�.im.us.�. {800)3545134 liakfar«rscl�lu�Ng a■d�� � .- ��`,��re o��P A y �� U � , �. •�� r �UgM+ AMERIGAN INSTIIUTE OF APPLIED SCIENCE F.�. Box 639 Yaungsville, Narth Carvlina 27596 Phone: (800) 354-5i34 ar (919} 554-2500 Fax: (919) 556-6784 E-Mail: AIAS�mindspring.com Weh: http://www,aiasinc_com Ciroie 9 on Aeader 5ervice Card 18 L�1�V and ORDER March 1999 ple who come straight from college to law enforcement. An education alone does not give someone the reasaning skills and thought pracess skilIs need- ed to be a good police officer." A reader who does not possess a coliege degree, expressed his feelings. "Higher education is indeed impor- tant. To me it is a"tie breaker" [for selection] for applicants of simiIar backgrounds and abilities. It shauld not be used universally as a screen out There are too many qualified peo- ple, who for one reason or another, did not get a diploma from college." A former sheriff from the Midwest beiieves in higher educatian. "I am currently finishing my MBA and hold the office of uniform commander with- in the department. I iind these newly learned skills assist me on a daiIy basis. I strongly encourage others to puzsue a higher ed�cation." A police manager campleting his Masters degree had the following opinion. "The applicant gooI here in the Southwest is diminishing and we are creating new ways to recruit and hire qualifed applicants. An educa- tionai requirement would almost take us out of the market." While not a scientific sampiing, this feedback from readers seemed to recognize the value of post high school education. But many saw the expecta- tion of a four-yeax degree as a pre-entry requirement as pie-in-the-sky think- ing. Some felt that education was over rated and that "common sense" and military service were more important. One respondent reported that his departmeni had dropped their one- year college requirement after they concluded that education was not job related. I believe in higher educa[ion for law enforcement officers, unequivo- caily. However, it is nqt reasonable to expect the acceptance of a universally imposed, four-year degree require- ment for entry level candidates at this time. In a telephone interview, Louis A. Mayo, Executive Director of ti�e Amer- ican Police Association, affirmed that organization's "very strong support oF the PERF recommendations for a degree requirement by 2003". He is not sure that it will happen withia the time frame, but feels it is vitai to main- tain that specific goal. "The whote� purpose of APA is colIege education For law erjforcement" he stated. I would like to see a police man- agement college, similar to the mili- tary academies where cadets could be trained for top administrative, career law enforcement jobs and real value given for in-service specialized educa- tion in technology, managecnent and Ehe physical sciences. The FBI and other federal agencies hire and then educate accountants, lawyers, physi- cians, statis[icians and computer engi- neers. It would be a great step forward if college education was supported at the department ieveI by pay incentives, payment for tuition and books, sched- uling of shifts to accommodate coi- lege studies, credit for education dur- ing selection aad promotion, paid sab- baticais fvr speciali7ed education and �eaves of absence for continuing edu- cation. The recommeudation of PERF for a four-year degree requirement for entry level law enforcement officers by 2003 is unrealistic and will exclude many otherwise caQable appiicants wl�o could become educated while in service. At the same time, it should he emphasized that should a degree requirement be irnposed for entry level officers, the degree should in �o way compromise or overshadow othec stan- dard entry Ievel requiremeats. That is, the educational requirement will be an addition, not a substitute for good selecaon procedures. Those who have vital interests in law enforcement education are encour- aged to contact the American Police Association at (703) 971-7935, FAX (703) 922-2768, Email address is apai@wizard.net_ Share your views with them, L.&O Jack B. Molden is Professor Emeritus, Universi[y of Illinois, Police Training Institute_ He can be rea�hed at (719) 687-0410 or E-mai! at jackml@aol.com. Comments and suggesrions are welcomed