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Dallas, Texas – Facing persistent staffing shortages, several US cities are easing education requirements for police recruits, hoping to attract more applicants and fill critical gaps.
The Dallas Police Department, which has been losing officers for years, recently scrapped its college credit requirement after voters approved a measure mandating at least 4,000 officers on the force – hundreds more than its historic peak in 2010. The move immediately opened the door for candidates who previously couldn’t apply, though recruits must still pass rigorous physical, psychological, and background screenings before entering the 10-month academy.
Dallas joins other major cities – including Chicago, Memphis, Louisville, and New Orleans – in relaxing standards. Nationwide, more than 80% of police departments already require only a high school diploma, according to a 2017 survey.
Experts remain divided on the change. Research suggests college-educated officers may use less force, receive fewer complaints, and write more thorough reports. However, studies also show these benefits aren’t conclusive, and lowering the bar could widen the recruitment pool – especially as college costs deter many Americans, disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic communities.
The trend is spreading. In New York, the NYPD recently cut its education requirement from 60 to 24 college credits, aiming for 35,000 officers by 2026. In California, lawmakers are considering a flexible system allowing degrees, policing certificates, or military experience to meet entry standards.
Despite some short-term spikes in applications when requirements are dropped – as seen in Philadelphia and New Orleans – long-term staffing gains have been harder to achieve. Many departments still struggle to retain officers, even after relaxing rules.
As Chuck Wexler of the Police Executive Research Forum puts it:
“In a perfect world, would you want police officers to be college educated? Absolutely. But right now, there’s more demand for qualified officers than there is supply.”
Source: USA Today
