After shooting, some wonder if 20 is too young for a badge

Young officers and deputies aren't rare, and although inexperienced, they bring energy to the job, officials say.

By Chao Xiong, Star Tribune

Last update: October 8, 2007 - 8:58 PM

Teenagers trying to enroll in the law enforcement program at Minneapolis Community and Technical College get a gentle nudge from the woman who runs the program.

Mylan Masson tries to steer them toward a path that will allow them to gain some life experience first.

"They need time to develop who they are, because you're going to give them some power that they may not be able to handle," said Masson, director of the college's Center for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement. "They need time to do stupid things in college."

Masson often suggests that younger students pursue a four-year degree instead of a two-year degree, which is the minimum Minnesota requirement for becoming an officer.

Now, some are taking a harder look at age after a 20-year-old off-duty sheriff's deputy in Crandon, Wis., fatally shot six young adults and teenagers, including three who were still in high school, early Sunday.

Tyler Peterson, who died after exchanging gunfire with authorities, had met Wisconsin's requirements to hold jobs as a full-time county deputy and a part-time police officer in Crandon,

Wisconsin law requires officers to be at least 18 and to have at least 60 hours of college credits, even if they don't result in a degree.

Minnesota and Wisconsin differ in that Minnesota law mandates a psychological examination for law enforcement personnel.

Wisconsin law states only that "the applicant shall be free from any physical, emotional or mental condition which might adversely affect performance."

Calls to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for clarification were not returned. But Crandon's police chief, John Dennee, said Peterson had not undergone a psychological evaluation.

Minnesota doesn't have an age minimum, but the degree requirement means that the state's youngest hires are likely to be in their early 20s.

Law enforcement educators said it's common for 21-year-olds to get hired straight out of college. Masson recalled a graduate being hired by the Minnesota State Patrol at 19.

Minnesota law enforcement officials were quick to note that they weren't drawing conclusions about whether Peterson's youth was a factor in the shootings.

"Are there students who are young and handle it well?" Masson said. "Absolutely."

In Brooklyn Park, the police department includes 10 officers out of 92 under the age of 25.

"When someone does something as rash as what happened [Sunday] in Wisconsin, I don't know if age is a factor," said Greg Roehl, Brooklyn Park's acting chief.

Although inexperienced, younger officers bring energy and a clean slate to their jobs, officials said.

"It doesn't really matter to us what age you are," said Minneapolis Deputy Chief Scott Gerlicher, who oversees hiring, recruitment and training. "The key is just having the credentials."

Chao Xiong • 612-673-4391

Chao Xiong • cxiong@startribune.com

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