Do Police Departments Accept High School Graduates in the U.S.?
Yes, many police departments in the U.S. do still accept high school graduates for their recruitment processes. However, this number is decreasing as more departments are beginning to require a college degree.
Recruitment Challenges Facing Police Departments
Recruiting police officers has become increasingly difficult across the country, with a genuine competition for the best candidates. While high school graduates can certainly be part of the applicant pool, many departments are now favoring candidates with additional education, such as a college degree.
Education Standards in California
In California, the minimum level of education required for peace officer hiring is a high school diploma, as set forth in California Government Code 1031. This code sets the minimum standards, allowing agencies to increase those standards or add additional standards. In the San Francisco Bay Area, agencies often look for at least 30 semester hours or even an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree, which requires a minimum of 60 semester hours.
Considering a scenario where an agency is looking to hire just one officer, and two candidates have the same background and identical test scores, the candidate with the AA degree is more likely to be selected over the one with just a high school diploma, no additional education, and no prior experience.
Flexible Hiring Practices
Some police departments, like the one I served, have a bare minimum requirement of a high school diploma or GED. During my time on the hiring board, we occasionally hired candidates without a college degree, but we awarded points for those with additional education. Meeting the minimum requirements, while advantageous, does put candidates at a disadvantage. Even with just a high school diploma, candidates are often at the bottom of the applicant pool. Anyone with a year or two of college will likely be preferred.
The Current Political Landscape
Especially in the current political climate, small and medium-sized police departments often hire candidates with just a high school diploma. This is partly due to a significant decline in applications, possibly caused by political opposition from some leftist Democrats who are perceived to be anti-police. However, before the political changes, small departments often preferred high school graduates, recognizing the value of a basic education and the willingness to learn and contribute.
Despite the trend towards higher educational standards, the importance of high school diplomas cannot be overstated. Aspiring police officers should take advantage of the flexible schedules offered by community colleges, where they can take two classes per semester. Many community college students are non-traditional learners, which allows for a more flexible and accommodating schedule. Many may find they enjoy the learning process far more than they anticipated.
Overall, while the acceptance of high school graduates by police departments is reducing, it remains a viable path to a career in law enforcement. However, candidates should aim to pursue additional education to remain competitive in the hiring process.