Yes, those are the minimum requirements to apply. The majority of depts will use a college degree as a factor during the hiring process. I know a lot of LEOs and none of them hold anything less then a Bachelor’s degree. I know LEOs of all ranks, from patrolman, to D/SGT, to CPT, to Police Chief and Sheriff. The officers I know that hire, will not hire anybody without the minimum of an Associate’s degree. If they don’t get any applicants that hold a degree, they will re-open the posting.
The majority of depts will use a college degree as a factor during the hiring process.
Far from it - particularly in small municipal departments. For state troopers maybe, and definitely for the feds. But small town police departments pull their recruits right out of high school and it's not uncommon to see 21 or 22 year old rookies in their ranks. Now a college degree can be a hiring enhancement. But if anything, a bigger enhancement is being eligible for affirmative action.
I have 5 current or former officers in my immediate family and none has more that a HS diploma...