California considers requiring police recruits be 25 years old or have a college degree Nine Line News Team December 16, 2020 Nine Line News 4,571 Hm. California Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, has introduced a bill requiring police recruits be at least 25 years old or have a bachelor’s degree before they can be sworn in to the force. Theoretically, the legislation would help minimize police use of deadly force because more mature and/or better educated officers will exhibit greater self control and be less likely to use deadly force. In a statement, Jones Sawyer, who serves as the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee chair said, “This data-driven bill relies on years of study and new understandings of brain development to ensure that only those officers capable of high level decision-making and judgment in tense situations are entrusted with working in our communities and correctional facilities.” According to USA Today, The bill cites multiple studies as the basis for its proposal, including a 2008 study of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that found that age and education of officers was the main determinant in likelihood to resort to the use of force. Jones-Sawyer also cites neurological research that found that parts of the brain dedicated to judgment and decision-making don’t develop until the mid-20s. But the legislation would have had no impact on the most recent high-profile officer-involved fatalities. For reference, Derek, Chauvin, age 44, has been charged with the death of George Floyd. Myles Cosgrove, 42, fired the fatal shot that killed Breonna Taylor. Darren Wilson, 28 at the time, fired the shot that killed Michael Brown. Jeronimo Yanez, 28, fired on Philando Castile.Sean Matarazzo, 25, and Thomas Munz, 26 shot Walter Wallace, Jr. Critics of the legislation worry it could hamper recruiting efforts, particularly among veterans, or those who do not have access to higher education. “We have not taken any official position on the bill but worry that this approach would derail recruitment efforts of military veterans under the age of 25, and of those from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities who may not have every opportunity to get a bachelor’s degree prior to seeking a career in law enforcement,” Shaun S. Rundle, deputy director of the California Peace Officers’ Association said in a statement. “Increased targeted education through the academy setting would be more of a meaningful approach.” It bears noting that when someone turns 18, the government declares them old enough to marry, to bind themselves in contracts, to vote, and most importantly, decide to put their life on the line in service to their country.” Why is it ok for that, and not for this? Thoughts?
