California mulls college degree, age requirement for cops and wardens

Book ’em!

California is considering a law requiring new cops or prison wardens have a bachelor’s degree or, failing that, be over the age of 25.

Democratic Los Angeles assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer introduced the proposal Monday — citing studies that show older or more educated officers are less likely to use excessive force.

“These jobs are complex, they’re difficult, and we should not just hand them over to people who haven’t fully developed themselves,” Jones-Sawyer said.

Currently, Californians can become peace officers at 18 with a high school degree or test equivalent, noted Jones-Sawyer, chairman of the Assembly Public Safety Committee.
He insisted his “data-driven bill” relied on “years of study and new understandings of brain development.”

Jones-Sawyer told the Sacramento Bee that his proposal was based on studies that showed college-educated police officers are less likely to use force in encounters with suspects.