The standards that police officers must meet before being hired is the topic on the next edition of the “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Click on the cover of the February 2014 issue of Police Chief Magazine to read Dr. Tom Jurkanin’s complete article.

Dr. Tom Jurkanin

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Dr. Tom Jurkanin, an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice Administration, will air from 8-8:30 a.m. Sunday, May 3, on WMOT-FM (89.5 and www.wmot.org ).

Jurkanin’s research, which was published in the February 2014 edition of Police Chief Magazine, shows that there is some inconsistency among states in satisfying the model of professional licensure provided by Police Officer Standards and Training, or POST, boards.

A review of the 36 POST panels showed that 53 percent require completion of a state licensing exam, while 47 percent do not require that test to be administered.

In addition, Jurkanin says, the lack of a mandated minimum education requirement is “the most glaring deficiency” in police licensing.

“One of the components of licensing is that there should be some educational standard,” said Jurkanin. “So, if you look at teachers, you look at accountants, you look at (the) medical field, they have a specified educational component that you must achieve before you would ever be accepted into the profession.”

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about “MTSU On the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.