RESPECT FOR THE POLICE WILL NOT BE ATTAINED UNLESS THE EDUCATIONAL LEVEL OF OFFICERS EQUALS OR EXCEEDS THAT OF THE GENERAL POPULATION. WHILE SOME STATES REQUIRE THAT POLICE APPLICANTS HAVE A 4-YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE, THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF AGENCIES REQUIRE ONLY THAT POLICE APPLICANTS BE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES OR PASS A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION EQUIVALENCY TEST. MANY SMALL AGENCIES DO NOT REQUIRE WRITTEN ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS, RELYING INSTEAD ON PERSONAL PRE-EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEWS OF APPLICANTS BY AGENCY ADMINISTRATORS. A NUMBER OF AGENCIES APPEAR TO HAVE LOWERED THEIR ENTRANCE STANDARDS IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH AFFIRMATIVE ACTION REQUIREMENTS. BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE MANDATORY IN A NUMBER OF STATES TO SCREEN OUT APPLICANTS WHO FAIL TO MEET STANDARDS RELATED TO HONESTY, INTEGRITY, AND MORAL CHARACTER. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS ARE A FREQUENTLY USED TECHNIQUE IN THESE BACKGROUND CHECKS. MANY READING AND WRITING TESTS ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST AGENCIES IN ESTABLISHING APPLICANT READING AND WRITING PROFICIENCY LEVELS, AND EXAMPLES OF THESE TESTS ARE CITED. THE GREATEST OBSTACLE TO REQUIRING A COLLEGE DEGREE OR COLLEGE CREDITS FOR POLICE APPLICANTS IS THE LOW SALARY PAID BY SMALL AGENCIES. IN ORDER TO INSURE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL CITIZENS, FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS REQUIRE THAT EMPLOYMENT ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS BE JOB RELATED, AND THERE SHOULD BE NO QUESTION THAT READING AND WRITING TESTS FOR POLICE APPLICANTS ARE JOB RELATED. EACH STATE, EITHER THROUGH ITS LEGISLATURE OR LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION, SHOULD ESTABLISH MINIMUM STANDARDS AT THE 10TH GRADE LEVEL. (DEP)