Raising the age and education requirements for police officers: Will too many women and minority candidates be excluded?

Abstract

Police departments are slowly but steadily moving to increase the educational requirements for sworn officers. Additionally, some departments are beginning to consider raising the age requirements. This study examines the impact which raising the age and/or educational requirements could have on the selection of women and minority officers through a case study of the Indianapolis Police Department (IPD). Findings from an analysis of hiring practices in the IPD over a five year period are discussed, and the effects that raising the age and/or educational requirements would have on the traditional pool of successful applicants are described, with particular attention to the possible exclusionary effect on women and minorities.

Citation

Kay Decker, L. and Huckabee, R.G. (2002), "Raising the age and education requirements for police officers: Will too many women and minority candidates be excluded?", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 789-802. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510210450695