The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between dogmatism and higher education among urban police officers in Missouri. Highly dogmatic persons are of interest to researchers because the opinions and characteristics shared by these individuals affect personality and cognitive processing capabilities. Previous studies have suggested that police departments have implemented eligibility requirements of a baccalaureate degree prior to entering the police academy or before an officer may be eligible for a promotion in rank due to the influence of higher education on personality, and moral and ethical development. However, these studies are challenged by research finding no direct correlation between higher education and police behavior or performance.

Patrol officers from the St. Louis City and Kansas City, Missouri police departments were recruited as participants in the study. The dependent variable, dogmatism, was measured by the Rokeach Dogmatism Scale Form E and the independent variables were recorded on a demographic questionnaire. Participant educational experience was recorded as having one of the following: high school diploma, two-year college degree, baccalaureate degree, and graduate degree from an accredited college or university. The questionnaire also recorded participant age, sex, race, years of service, city of employment, assigned district, and whether or not the participant chose to work in their assigned district.

The results of the multiple regression analysis conducted in this study concluded the overall model is statistically significant predictor of the dogmatism dependent variable at the .05 confidence level. The R Square value of the total model was .082 and indicates 8.2% of the total model determines the amount of variance in dogmatism scale scores. The education, age, sex, race, years of service, department, and choice of district independent variables in the study were not statistically significant predictors of the dogmatism dependent variable at the .05 confidence level. The author concludes higher education experience does not affect dogmatism scores among urban police officers in Missouri.