Some police officers have decided to serve State College with more than a gun and a badge. They are arming themselves with higher education degrees.

The State College Borough conducts a program enabling officers to take six credits per semester at the University, with three of the credits on police time. Under the program, two officers have completed their master's degrees, five are now seeking their their master's and two others are working on bachelor's degrees, said Joanne Long of the State College Bureau of Police Services.

The borough requires an officer to have only a high school education, Chief Elwood Williams said. Yet many officers who score high on police entrance examinations and are hired by the force do have a college background, he said.

A college education will not replace on-the-job experience, but it will help an officer understand the nature of their work, said John Sullivan, a University administration of justice professor.

Sullivan, a New York City police officer for 22 years, said the public expects an officer on the street to be a "priest, psychologist and a crisis interventionist" at all times. A college education gives the officer an extra step in handling those problems, he added.

The role of a police officer includes roles other than just a law enforcer, said Officer Steve Bosak. Education makes officers more articulate and exposes them to the different aspects of being an officer, he said.

Additional education gives an officer a broader background and a better foundation, said Lt. Carmine Prestia, commander of field services. Now halfway through his administration of justice master's program, Prestia says his courses help him think about things he otherwise would not consider.

Cpl. Tom Hart, working on his master's in administration of justice, said modern police work is more professional. Officers must be able to defend their actions at all times, he said.

An officer must have adequate documentation and writing skills. Additional education helps develop those skills, he said.

Criminal Investigator Thomas Jordan, also working for his administration of justice master's degree, said education is important because criminals are street smart.

"You have to use your head . . . you have to be very strategic. You plan out a case like you're planning for a test," Jordan said.

Police work is becoming a more preventive measure than reactionary, said Officer David M. White.

White teaches a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program two days a week to school children from kindergarten through sixth grades. He said his master's degree in public administration helped him obtain and perform his position in DARE.

Most of the officers also are looking beyond police work with their degrees. White said he may retire at the age of 41 and his degree could open up a new career after he retires.

Bosak, Prestia, White, Hart and Jordan all expressed interest in teaching in the future. Prestia said he is now teaching Introduction to Administration of Justice at Penn State, and would like to do research in the field.