Galen L. Carroll: Modesto police recruits (and officers) are well educated

Re “Police officers need better education” (Letters, April 16): When I read the letter to the editor exclaiming that police officers need better educations, I felt compelled to respond.

Police departments hire less than 1 percent of those who apply. It takes over a year to train an officer. Their training does not stop; officers are given continuous training over their entire careers. Of the last 38 officers the city of Modesto has hired, 32 percent had bachelor’s degrees, 26 percent were military veterans, 8 percent had associates degrees and 82 percent had some college classes. Over 58 percent of those individuals were either veterans or had BA degrees. Additionally, 29 percent had volunteered their time as a Police Explorer or intern and 8 percent had other law enforcement experience.

The average age of the individuals we hired was 25. We expect that individuals applying for the police department will have an education, have spent time in the military or have given their time to our community as a volunteer. Our police are a reflection of our community and society. There is no doubt there have been instances in North Carolina and San Bernardino that are unexplainable. The best way for any member of the public to change law enforcement is to encourage their sons, daughters and other relatives to apply and be the change they would like to see.

This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 11:36 AM with the headline "Galen L. Carroll: Modesto police recruits (and officers) are well educated."