N.Y.P.D. Lowers Education Standards as Recruitment Falters

Jillian Snider, a former police officer and a lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said she was “thrilled” the department had brought back the running requirement. She said going the distance quickly shows “stamina and endurance.”

An officer who is able to complete a 1.4-mile run quickly is more likely to be able to take down someone without having to resort to use of force, she said.

Ms. Snider said the department is also better off with officers who have a higher level of education. Reducing college credit requirements from 60 to 45 would have been a better compromise, she said.

A more educated officer is more likely to have “better verbal communication skills,” Ms. Snider said. “That makes you more likely to use de-escalation techniques instead of using force.”