THE FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY ARE DERIVED FROM THE RESPONSES TO A SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE THAT WAS ADMINISTERED TO 187 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN CALIFORNIA DURING THE FALL OF 1972 AND THE FALL OF 1976. THE QUESTIONNAIRE INQUIRED ABOUT THE MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW RECRUITS, THE POSSIBILITY OF ALTERING THOSE REQUIREMENTS, AND ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT CRITERIA FOR SELECTING FUTURE POLICE OFFICERS. THE AUTHOR FOUND THAT AGENCIES WERE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO HIRING 18-YEAR-OLDS, BUT THAT THEY HAD NO CONCRETE REASONS FOR THIS. THE AUTHOR FELT THAT MANY OTHERWISE QUALIFIED 18-YEAR-OLDS ARE BEING DENIED A POSSIBLE POLICE CAREER BY THIS POLICY....BDS