As a deputy sheriff, I can now see how important education is to succeed. Education helps me in my everyday dealings with the public. It helps me with verbal and body language. Education also plays a part in being able to advance to any special assignments or positions of rank within the department.
When dealing with the public I need to be able to articulate information well. If I am not educated it makes it difficult to write reports. If I write bad reports then I will have a hard time while on the stand testifying to what I wrote in my report. My case can depend solely on my report and the defense will pick it apart if it is written poorly.
To be even considered for a specialty position like SWAT or k9, I need to be as marketable as possible. I want to get my bachelor’s degree to show that I am committed to training my body and mind. If I want to promote above a sergeant then I need to have a degree. There is no way around that. The position open to me are; basic patrol functions, correctional assignments, criminal investigation, community oriented policing, court security, crime scene investigation, Marine Enforcement Detail, Special Enforcement (SWAT, Narcotics/Gangs, etc), Regional Transit Detail, Rangemaster/staff, Canine Detail, Recruitment, Academy Instructors/staff, Pre-Employment Investigations. This information is found on the Sacramento Sheriff website.
I think just having a bachelor’s degree will just boost my self-confidence. People that have education are looked highly upon in this world we live in. When someone tells me that they have been to college and can articulate well, I think people tend to listen to what they say.
I am very eager to finish my bachelor’s degree. This will get me a ten percent raise and gave me more possibility for movement. I think it will help me with my career when dealing with the public. I am a pillar in the community and I need to be educated to be taken serious. With a bachelor degree I get the following raise:
5% incentive pay for possession of sixty (60) college units or an A.A./A.S. degree
5% incentive pay for possession of a B.A./B.S. degree
5% incentive pay for an Intermediate P.O.S.T. certificate
5% incentive pay for an Advanced P.O.S.T. certificate