A content analysis of police liability cases examined consistent trends in allegations and remedies. A comprehensive review of the research on police education was performed, with attention to research on the effects of higher education on officer attitudes and behaviors. These were then factored into consistent categories. Comparisons were made between the attitude/behavior factors and the types of actions involved in the complaint trends. These comparisons were supplemented with findings from the Police Executive Research Forum's (PERF) project on police higher education in America. Insights were also gained from examination of departmental operations and disciplinary practices during the PERF site visits and interviews with executives from police liability insurance underwriters. The authors relied on logical extension of the data to develop a rhetorical argument that higher education reduces liability risks for police departments. Because police administrators must be concerned with reducing liability risk as an ethical and pragmatic concern of resource management, consideration must be given to making a formal college requirement for sworn police personnel. 22 notes.