College Bound Cops

Police Officers

Attaining A Higher Level of Education

Why?

Should the Austin Police Department concern itself whether officers attain a Bachelor or Graduate Degree?Do Police Officers desire a higher level of education?Does the public care whether police officers have a college degree?

Things Have Changed!

Austin area has tremendous population growth.

Austin Core Industry has changed from State Government/College Town, to Technically Sophisticated City.

Demographic Population Shift.

Rapidly Changing Technologies & Procedures within Law Enforcement.

Public Demands more from Law Enforcement.

Changes in Ten YearsU.S. Census Bureau

1990

County & Population

Bastrop 38,263

Hays 65,614

Travis 576,407

Williamson 139,551

Total 819,835

2000

County & Population

Bastrop 57,733

Hays 97,589

Travis 812,280

Williamson 249,967

Total 1,217,569

Projected GrowthYears 2000, 2010 & 2020

City of Austin & MSA

Sustain pop. growth 2.1% through 2020.

From 1980 to 2010 MSA growth is 147%

MSA 2000 - 1.1 mil.

2010 - 1.45

2020 - 1.91

State of Texas

2020 Pop. Growth of 35 %

Median age 30 years

55% pop. will be under 35 yoa.

Percentage of USA Pop. Over 25

Year < 3 yrs College Bachelor or Higher

1970 10% 11%1980 15% 17%1990 18% 21%2000 25% 25.6%

U.S. Census Bureau

Percentage College Graduates by State

1990

California 23.4

Louisiana 16.1

New York 23.1

Oklahoma 17.8

Texas 20.3

Washington 22.9U.S. Census Bureau

1999

California 27.1

Louisiana 20.7

New York 26.9

Oklahoma 23.7

Texas 24.4

Washington 28.6

Percentage of Population with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

1967 1990 2000

Dallas 17 26 30.7

Houston 13 21 26

San Antonio 10 14 (16)

San Jose * 36 42

Austin * 34.4 (45)

* Not published ( ) ProjectedU.S.Census Bureau

05

1015202530354045

196719902000

APD Officer Survey-PatrolSource: 219 Completed Surveys - NW, NE, CE, SE & SW

Age

Years of Service

College Credit > 31 hr

Degree or Higher

Desire Higher Level of Education

No Desire

33.7 yoa

6.8 years

38 %

34 %

58%

28%

Survey Officer Age GroupsUnder 35 years

Median Age 28.6

APD yrs. 2.9

>31 hrs college 40%

Bachelor Degree 39%

Desire Higher 70%

Education

35 & Up years

Median Age 42

APD yrs. 13

>31 hrs college 37%

Bachelor Degree 26%

Desire Higher 38%

Education

Survey - Reasons Given for Desire of Higher Education!

Personal GoalSet Example to their ChildrenCareer EnhancementCompetitiveNecessary in FutureQualify for Other LE OpportunitiesWhy Not!

Survey - Perceived Barriers to Higher Education.

Shift-work, days off vary.

Lack of Flexibility within APD

Class Accessibility

Family Obligations

Financial

No Incentive

Survey – Assistance to Officers Continuing Their Education.

Adjust Shift Rotation, Flex time, etc.

Credit for Academy Time

Classes @ APD sites

Encourage Education

Pts in Promotional Process

Partnerships w/ Area Institutions

Educational Representative

Areas of InterestWhat are the current levels of education within APD?Who will benefit from police officers attaining higher education?What are the APD recruit educational requirements? How can officers attend to their studies?What are the barriers officers perceive?

West Point Theories

Adult Development

Attribution

Equity

Expectancy

Motivation Through Job Redesign

Counseling – Stress Management

PlanDevelop a Comprehensive Information Resource for Officers.Assist Officers in a realistic assessment of personal educational goals.Have college counselors available at specific periods to advise officers.Acknowledge officers attaining a higher level of education.Point of Contact within APD

Assessment

Check Enrollment Records for Participants

Check City Tuition Reimbursement Office

Survey after a year for feedback

A measurable change in the APD Training Files.

Change in Organizational Culture

Recent APD Academy Cadet Class Graduates

100th Cadet Class

Average Age 25 yr

60+ hrs 9 24 %

Bachelor 14 38 %

Masters 1 3 %

37 Cadets Started Each Class

Source:APD Academy

101th Cadet Class

Average Age 27 yr

60+ hrs 6 16 %Bachelor 11 30 %

.

Current Level of Education Austin PD - All Officers

60+ Hours 253 22 %Bachelor Degree 353 30 %Masters Degree 9 0.7 %Doctorate 1 0.08 %Average Age 38 years

Source: APD Academy

Comparison - City Police Minimum Educational Eligibility Requirements

0

30

60

90

120

College Hours120=Bachelor Degree

Without Prior LE or Military Experience