Two Years Experience Replaces 60
College Credits For Recruits
I will never forget when my mother informed me that I would
have to withdraw from college because she could no longer afford to pay my
college tuition. This was primarily due to her difficulties in raising six
children as a single parent with one income. It was not until I became a
member of the NYC Police Department that I was able to return to my
studies. Since then I have obtained two degrees and graduated with
honors. My story is no different than the many qualified New Yorkers who
are unable to join the NYC Police Department due to not having 60 college
credits. Police Commissioner Kerik has taken a step towards addressing
this problem by creating a way to recruit these qualified candidates into the
Police Department without lowering the standards. He is doing this by
allowing Traffic and Safety officers to use their two years experience in place
of the n60 college credits. this is a win-win for New Yorkers.
The previous requirement accepted college credits from any
discipline, including basket weaving. On the other hand, the two years
experience requirement includes para-military training and supervisory
observation that will assist in identifying the best qualified recruits.
No one could argue that employees from both of these agencies
must possess the highest level of integrity and patience in carrying out their
jobs. It would be hypocritical to state that School Safety officers are
intelligent enough to protect the best among us, our children, yet unqualified
to police the worst of us, criminals. Of course even with their
para-military training both agencies will have to undergo the proper instruction
to do the difficult task of policing in a multi-cultural environment such as New
York. Let us not forget that countless other candidates did not have
college credits and came from occupations ranging from flipping hamburgers to
gas station attendants. They too had to undergo a transformation from
civilians to police officers and an overwhelming number of these candidates have
gone on to have long and distinguished careers. The type of training
Traffic and School Safety officers already have undergone allows their
transformation into becoming a police officer a natural and easy task.
By tapping into this qualified pool of candidates, the
Commissioner and the Mayor can now choose from a group where the overwhelming
number of candidates are Black and Hispanic and New York City Residents.
We have previously failed to attract qualified candidates from these two
areas. Our desire to diversify the police department should not be
interpreted that we do not support a police force comprised of disciplined and
educated men and women. Many of the top colleges and corporate firms of
our nation honor work experience for its contribution. Police Commissioner
Keriks's plan moves toward diversification without tampering with the demand for
qualified applicants. It opens up the door of opportunity that was
previously unfairly closed to many police applicants who had the desire, but not
the financial means, to pursue the goal of higher education and a law
enforcement career.
The applicant does not have to alter their goal. After
becoming police officers there are many opportunities available for them to
pursue college. We support a continuation of these programs. They
will ensure that educational complacency will never find its roots in the police
Department.
Eric Adams
Co-Founder of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care
10/2/00
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