In 2016, you will not become a cop unless you have a degree, or you served in the military, or have connections. Saying "Some barbers go to college too" is irrelevant since it has nothing to do with the job. On the flip side, it you look at any job listing for a cop in most if not all major areas, they require some college. Or training.
In Chicago they're even paying for cops to go to grad school. Sorry it doesn't fit the agenda of this thread, but it's as simple as that