From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet. Hence, as a police officer, you will have the power to improve the lives of many people who will be thankful for what you do for them forever. As we can see from the previous chapter, there are definitely many important advantages of working as a police officer. Good since not many people want to do this job. Many police officers also suffer from sleep deprivation or even insomnia. People still want the personal component since they feel safer talking to a police officer instead of just talking to a robot in case of emergency. Although juries do have instructions, it is ultimately up to all twelve individuals to use their discretion when hearing a case and evaluating the facts. The definition of especially heinous, however, is left up to the prosecutor's discretion. It means that police in their blue uniforms often act as a line between lawfulness and illegal acts. You may also just not be eligible for a career as a police officer. America has created its own monster. If someone was not competitive as a rookie, they probably will become so in time. Being a police officer is more than a profession. Police officers have to rely on each other to make their operations as safe as possible. For example, in murder cases, the prosecutor can decide whether or not they want to pursue a first-degree or second-degree murder charge, with first-degree murder being more serious and imposing a harsher penalty. While you will not get rich in most cases, you will still be able to provide a decent life for you and your family. Louise Gaille - 16 Advantages and Disadvantages of Being A Police Of However, before you sign your contract, make sure you read this article since I show you all the pros and cons of being a police officer. In fact, while many other jobs will be automized and will be carried out by machines in the near future, policemen are not that replaceable since there is plenty of individuality and discretion in each case and police officers have to make decisions depending on many different variables and circumstances. Because police officers are in constant danger, we are also overly suspicious of everything and everyone. Cons of a Career as a Probation Officer. Quite often, you will also spend your leisure together and some police officers even spend plenty of time together after they retire. While this can be exhausting and you will see many bad things during your career, you will also get significant action and chances are that you will never get bored as a police officer since so many different things will happen throughout your career. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu. No day will be like the past one and you will always have to adjust your expectations. Many police officers are also not happy with their overall working environment. Some exposures to police work change us for the better and others for the worse. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University. There are many instances throughout a police officer's day-to-day work where they can decide how to respond to a situation using their own best judgement and wisdom rather than a strict law. In fact, shifts of police officers can be quite long and depending on what happens in your district, you will have to work long hours and will come home exhausted. What are five negative and five positive personality adaptations cops undergo after experience on the job? This can be rather annoying, especially if you have a family and dont know how to manage your private life since you often dont know the exact hours of your shift. This is quite logical since whenever you need the police, something bad has happened to others. This is necessary since most unlawful activities happen at nighttime. WebThe advantages of being a probation officer. Hence, you will have a huge responsibility in this regard and under pressure, chances are that you will also make wrong decisions sooner or later. Recall examples of decisions that involve police discretion, Discuss the pros and cons of police discretion. If discretion in law enforcement is used in a wrongful manner, it has great potential for being abused out of the field. Since their job can be quite dangerous, many police officers also develop significant paranoia over time. Protecting the community and being on the front lines takes an emotional toll. As a police officer, you will also have to deal with many difficult family problems and you will generally see the worst of humanity. I conducted various interviews with employees to give you a good impression of what working in different fields will look like and that you can make the best possible decision regarding your future career choice. For instance, as college students, aspiring or current police officers participate in internships, do community service or study abroad. Discretion gives officers the flexibility to perform their job. This is quite sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look like. Imagine that Officer Bob is on patrol in an area known for drug trafficking. As I went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics. Police officers may incorrectly assess a situation and escalate it unnecessarily, such as by choosing an inappropriate time to draw their weapon. In fact, your colleagues will become your second family since you simply spend so much time with them. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. They also make sure that people who dont play according to the rules get arrested. [Youre smart and curious about the world. This will not only make your life as a police officer easier, but you can also profit from it in your private life since the skill to make rational decisions under difficult circumstances is crucial to succeed in various parts of life in general. 1. Jessica is a practicing attorney and has taught law and has a J.D. WebAdvantages of Being a Police Officer You have a high reputation in society Police officers can keep their neighborhoods safe You can help out your family and friends As a police officer, you will also enjoy many additional perks. No matter which way you personally feel about the subject, the police must be sure not to cross the 'thin blue line' when it comes to utilizing police discretion. The order did not mention the need for police to get a college education, even though higher education was identified in the 2015 Presidents Task Force on 21st Century Policing as one of six effective ways to reduce crime and build better relations between police and the communities they serve. We have come to an age where the public thinks the system and the police have a solution for their every problem. Police work is particularly dynamic and no day is the same. Uniform Stories covers an array of subjects like field stories, entertaining anecdotes, and expert opinions. Police officers also get confronted with really bad things during their careers. If you are still not sure yet, you may have some friends who are police officers and can give you some additional information on this topic. succeed. In any establishment, we choose the seat with our backs to the wall and a view of the entire place. LockA locked padlock If the police had to consult with other officers or go to a judge every time they needed to make an on-the-job determination, this would result in a drain not only on the economy but also on the overall law enforcement and judicial systems. Following several deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order on June 16 that calls for increased training and credentialing to reduce the use of excessive force by police. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-3','ezslot_21',193,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-3-0'); Networks are crucial for promotions, not only as a police officer but also in the corporate world. Comraderies among peers also deflect negative work thoughts. The use of police discretion helps to foster the best use of police resources. Officers utilize their discretion on the job constantly, as they make decisions while performing routine duties, while in the heat of the moment, and while they are alone with no partner or backup to consult with. Imagine a world without police. This does not mean that police officers can make unlawful decisions, but rather that they must use their knowledge of what is lawful and reasonable and what is unlawful and unreasonable to make appropriate decisions in stressful circumstances. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OOH: Police and Detectives, Police One: The Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer. Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology, Iowa State University, Director, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; Co-Director, Nebraska Collaborative for Violence Intervention and Prevention, University of Nebraska Omaha. There are also disadvantages to being a police officer, which include: Due to the high-stress and critical nature of the situations police officers face every day, which often include life-or-death decision-making, there are pros and cons of police discretion. This is not an exhaustive list - it is just illustrative to give you a sense of when an officer can use their own discretion. It is awkward at times, but we think we are funny. It's not a lame assignment or a job for a cop looking for a cushy job In fact, many police officers have to spend significant amounts of time on paperwork and other administrative tasks. Many people will also secretly admire you for what you are doing for them. She has tutored English and History, as well as STEM classes, such as Statics, Calculus, and Thermodynamics. Officer Bob receives a dispatch alert that there is a suspect on foot in the area who just held up a bank. Officers who have an understanding of scientific methods, as taught in college, are better positioned to adjust their departments policies. Discretion is applied from the moment someone is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion to make the initial decision to arrest. Another downside of being a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long. A police officer can also impact the area they serve as a whole. Advantages and disadvantages of police.Police officers often work long hours Also if you think that police officers have a relaxed life, you should think twice. Lexipol. Please also note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances. State and local agencies and governments can do more to encourage officers to seek a college degree, including through incentives, like the Nebraska Law Enforcement Education Act, which allows for a partial tuition waiver or the Quinn Bill in Massachusetts, which provides scaled bonuses depending on the degree an officer holds or tuition reimbursement scholarships like those offered by the Fraternal Order of Police. 7. Of course, to succeed in this regard, you also have to build a strong network over time. In fact, being a policeman is not safe at all and you should be aware of the fact that you put your life at risk every time you leave your home. This also means that you have to interact with the general public on a daily basis and you will also be the one who has to solve conflicts. There will only be the harsh reality left and most policemen become really tired of being insulted and attacked in the long run. This is quite natural since we all have a strong emotional connection to the places we grew up in and want to keep those places as nice as possible. Its the nature of the beast. Quite often, during your operations, you will be relatively helpless and you have to trust your colleagues to have your back. As a police officer, you will also become really good friends with your colleagues over time. Pro: Youre a hero! Police officers toe the thin blue line between lawfulness and illegal acts, due to their unique position in society. Our fuses and energy become shortwith sleep deprivation, long shift hours, societal isolation, and continued exposure to negative human elements. and LL.M. Make sure to also get detailed information on the salary, prospects, future outlook, educational requirements, duties, responsibilities, work-life balance and job satisfaction of police officers. However, I will not take any responsibility for incorrect information and will not be liable for any negative consequences that might occur due to the reliance on this information. Police work is rife with circumstantial stressors. Also if you think that police officers have a relaxed life, you should think twice. This will also be quite hard for yourself since you will never know whether you will see your kids again or not. Chances are that there would be many more robberies and other unpleasant things. Resources in the criminal justice system are limited and must be used efficiently. You can make a huge difference in many peoples lives over the span of a careerand in While many people dont want to have this high level of responsibility, others love it and if you are the kind of person who really wants to have this power, becoming a police officer might be the right way to go for you. Leana Bouffard does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Officer Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot. There are advantages to police discretion, such as allowing officers the flexibility to perform their job, allowing officers to make quick determinations when ], Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd, Presidents Task Force on 21st Century Policing, almost 30% less likely to fire their weapons in the line of duty, lower rate of officers assaulted by civilians, more satisfied with how police serve their community, increases commitment to community policing, moral reasoning and openness to diversity, identifying quality information and scientific evidence, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship, Associate Lecturer, Creative Writing and Literature. Officer Bob decides simply to warn the driver in this instance. As a police officer, you will surely be both loved and hated. Similarly, researchers have found that officers with at least a two-year degree were 40% less likely to lose their jobs due to misconduct. Since police officers see so many bad things during their careers, they often also lose all their childish delusions of a nice world pretty soon. Police officers spend a lot of time away from their families. Chances are that it can get much better if you stay ambitious and try to get into different departments. In my opinion, people often make the mistake to choose their profession solely based on how much money they can earn from it instead of doing what makes them really happy. Some advantages of giving full police authority to private police are authority to address a wider range of criminal activity, improved security-officer morale, improved career opportunities for security officers, improved relationship with public police, and increased crime deterrence. Among other things, they say a college education improves ethical decision-making skills, knowledge and understanding of the law and the courts, openness to diversity, and communication skills. Many citizens are shielded from the horrors we encounter. However, the majority of the general public is still thankful for the help and security police officers ensure on our streets. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_18',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');While many other jobs can be automized in the near future and many people will lose their jobs due to that, this will not be true for police officers. As a policeman, you will also have the power to do good for others. WebSome advantages of giving full police authority to private police are authority to address a wider range of criminal activity, improved security-officer morale, improved career WebWorking for the Met as a Police constable is a rewarding career where you are able to see the impact that your hard work has in making London safer for everybody. Lexipol. Hence, dont think that your job as a police officer is entirely safe. Their responsibilities include not only preserving the peace, preventing criminal acts, enforcing the law, investigating crimes, and arresting those who violate the law but also directing traffic, community relations work, and controlling crowds at public events. Some regions have pretty demanding hiring processes and you will often also have to prove your abilities as well as a high fitness level before you an become a police officer. The major pro of being a police detective would be that the work would be interesting and intellectually stimulating. In fact, if people know that your family and friends know a police officer quite well, they will often act in a more respectful manner since they know that they can get into all sorts of trouble if they misbehave. Police culture is full of many coping skills and personality transformations. While some people still believe in the best of people, police officers just have a hard time doing so since they experience so many A college education helps officers become better at identifying quality information and scientific evidence. From there, once the supposed offender has been arrested, the prosecutor can use their discretion to chose to either bring charges against the offender or to dismiss them. Police officers toe the thin blue line, the line between lawfulness and illegal acts. Research has also shown that police officers themselves recognize the value of a college degree. Often police officers have to deal with angry, distressed citizens or people who do not want to cooperate, which can make police work feel like a thankless job. direct and indirect speech past tense exercises; tarantula sling not moving; flitch beam span chart; sylvania country club membership fees; bs 3939 electrical and electronic symbols pdf; ninaki priddy date of birth; offspring chris havel wife; airigh 'n eilean; ontario bar exam results 2020 Some police officers also grew up under rather poor conditions and urgently want to make a positive change for their community. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Crime Measurement Programs: History & Nature, The History of Women & Minority Members in the Police Profession, Recruitment of Women & Minorities in Policing. As a police officer, you have the power to significantly improve the conditions in your neighborhood since you can send people who behave in a criminal manner to court and many of them will end up in jail and can no longer have a bad influence on your neighborhood. The officers deter criminal activity such as theft, vandalism and terrorism, protect their employers investments and enforce Police discretion, however, has been criticized because it may result in the incorrect application of certain statutes and thereby violate someone's rights, such as their right to not be subjected to unlawful search and seizure as defined by the Fourth Amendment. Many people hail police officers as being heroes and consider them to be brave and helpful people they can count on to come to their rescue in a time of need. Everyone and everything is suspicious until proven otherwise. One important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. 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advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer