Government owes public a full vetting of workers

Ever since The Spokesman-Review unearthed a prolific diploma mill in the area, government agencies have been alerted to the possibility that employees have used fake academic credentials to secure higher pay. For instance, an internal investigation by the Washington State Patrol has recommended the firing of eight troopers for using phony degrees to boost their salaries.

A total of 7,298 Americans bought bogus or counterfeit degrees and diplomas online in an operation run by Dixie Ellen Randock, who last summer was sentenced to three years in federal prison. Another 9,165 degrees were sold to people in 130 countries. It’s up to private employers to do what they think is necessary to address the problem, but government officials should make sure their workers are not pilfering public dollars.

The WSP has done that with a preliminary decision to oust the eight employees, who still have the opportunity to respond. Two other troopers have already resigned over the allegations. The suspicion is that troopers were motivated by the fact that they can boost their pay 2 percent by earning a two-year degree or 4 percent with a four-year degree.

In May, the U.S. Army announced that 25 people in the Army, National Guard or Army Reserve were facing discipline for using fake degrees and transcripts to gain promotions. The investigation continues.

The issue goes beyond bilking public money, because purchasers can be in sensitive jobs. In May, the Washington State Department of Health charged two mental health counselors and a social worker for misrepresenting their academic credentials to the state and to clients. All three bought doctorate degrees and a couple billed themselves as “doctors.”

Plainly, that could be dangerous.

Beyond illegal credentials, governments ought to rethink their incentive programs to make sure the credentials obtained add demonstrated value to the job. For instance, advanced degrees have long been the path to higher pay for teachers, but studies show that they don’t necessarily translate into better outcomes for students.

Find what works, then build the incentive.

Though the diploma mill stories have receded from the headlines, government agencies still have a duty to ensure the people they hire and promote aren’t bilking taxpayers or endangering those they’re supposed to serve. They also need to make sure that there is a public benefit to rewarding workers.