Uniform Stories features a variety of contributors. In fact, many police officers have an inner motivation to protect the people they already know from early childhood. 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. Law enforcement officers exercise police discretion when deciding whether or not to draw their weapon, make an arrest, shoot someone, search someone, render assistance to someone, or issue a ticket to someone. Others think police officers are mean, uncaring snitches who simply arrest people and hand out traffic tickets. This is quite logical since whenever you need the police, something bad has happened to others. Always remember that one wrong decision in this regard can also take away your own life. 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. The use of discretion allows the police officer the flexibility necessary to perform their job. 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. After reading this article, you will get more aware of all the chances and dangers of becoming a police officer and you may even change your mind due to that. Good since not many people want to do this job. If you dont get any support from the right influential people, your chances of making it to the top will be almost zero. In fact, you will have the authority to stop injustice and unlawful behavior whenever you see it and can therefore improve the circumstances of the majority of people in our society. It is a natural outcome of being on the force with an abundance of Type A personalities. What makes us this way? This will also be quite hard for yourself since you will never know whether you will see your kids again or not. They must always respond quickly and appropriately. succeed. If your colleagues make mistakes, you could potentially lose your life. In any establishment, we choose the seat with our backs to the wall and a view of the entire place. We often compete with our peers and families in outdoor games and sporting events. He draws his weapon and orders the suspect to freeze. In fact, unlawful behavior doesnt care about holidays too much and you as a police officer have to chase the bad guys on holidays as well. 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. In turn, you will get to know each other quite well and your colleagues will become your second family. Many police officers are also not able to deal with the emotional burden that comes along with their job. There will always be the risk to get injured or dying during your shift as a police officer. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 Add to that the ability to help people on a daily basis and this line of work can be very fulfilling. Private Law Enforcement: Types, Functions & Roles. Studies have found that a small proportion of police officers about 5% produce most citizen complaints, and officers with a two-year degree are about half as likely to be in the high-rate complaint group. These officers tend to work more proactively with community members to resolve issues and prevent problems rather than only reacting to incidents when called. Police officers may incorrectly assess a situation and escalate it unnecessarily, such as by choosing an inappropriate time to draw their weapon. Its the nature of the beast. Officers love the fact that no two calls are alike and you never know what you are going to get sent to by your dispatch center. Another upside of a career as a police officer is that you can also get significant levels of responsibility already early on in your career. The principle of police Many police officers also suffer from sleep deprivation or even insomnia. Another downside of being a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long. Police discretion allows officers to make decisions when a clear solution may not exist. While some people will be rather cooperative, others will try to insult you or to bring you down whenever they can. Hence, as a policeman, you will have a significant level of freedom regarding where and on what topics you want to work on. Higher education, including graduate degrees, can enhance the leadership potential of criminal justice professionals and support their promotion through the ranks. Thus, make sure that you are willing to work hard if you really aspire to a police officer career. Lexipol. Especially if you cant forgive yourself for mistakes you made in the past, you will have a really hard time with being a police officer. Proactive Policing Strategies & Examples | What is Proactive Policing? There is just that much insecurity involved in this job that you will never know when you are called to the next operation. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. In turn, many officers are simply not able to process those experiences in an emotionally healthy manner and will suffer from mental problems like depression later on in their lives. These changes often come with company benefits. Consequently, if you are not willing to take this risk, you should definitely go for a different career path instead. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Hence, your life will depend on the reliability of your colleagues and if you dont want to put your life into the hands of others, chances are that becoming a police officer will not be the right way to go for you. In fact, policemen are at much higher risk to suffer from mental problems since they have to deal with so many conflicts and also see so many bad things during their active careers. Police officers spend a lot of time away from their families. Since you will never know what you have to deal with next, your body and your brain will always be exposed to some level of tension during your shift. Police body cameras provide visual and audio evidence that can independently verify events. You You can also work in many different departments. We have come to an age where the public thinks the system and the police have a solution for their every problem. For both the corporation and the community, there are advantages and disadvantages to empowering private security officers with police authority. See disclaimer. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that you will also stay quite fit during your active career. Police officers run the risk of misinterpreting a statute and violating someone's rights. Over the past years, there has also been a trend of people losing respect for the police. My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people about the different career paths that are possible in our current state of the world. While some people still believe in the best of people, police officers just have a hard time doing so since they experience so many bad things every day. They are also terminated less frequently for List of the Advantages of Police Discretion 1. 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. While many people who work in office jobs have to go to the gym to stay in shape, you as a police officer dont have to do this since you will stay in shape in a natural manner and can spend your time in a more enjoyable manner. The officers deter criminal activity such as theft, vandalism and terrorism, protect their employers investments and enforce New police chief hired at N.C. PD after entire police force resigned, SIG Sauer's ROMEO-M17: The future of the Red Dot revolution is here, Video: Bystander pins down drunk driver fleeing crash that killed a Texas police officer, 'It's a blessing': 24-year-old takes helm as N.C. police chief, 'Hold your heart open': Officers, community members attend funeral for Kansas City cop, K-9, keep officers job satisfaction rates high, Open the tools menu in your browser. Police work affords theopportunity for giving back both on duty and off. Thus, especially if you are a rather skeptic person who doesnt like to rely on others for such important things, becoming a police officer may also not be the right way to go for you. For example, many departments employ de-escalation tactics that aim to reduce use of force. Police officers usually also get more money if they work on weekends, in the nighttime or on holidays. Chances are that there would be many more robberies and other unpleasant things. Others may feel the risk is not worth the benefits that come with being a police officer. Probation officers supervise criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a period of probation rather than incarceration. WebAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Police Officers Working Without Uniform Intellectual stimulation One benefit of the detective career is the intellectual stimulation and Many police officers receive medical, vision and dental insurance. Thus, becoming a police officer can also be a great career path for you if you love excitement and action on a regular basis. However, this fear will go away over time once you get more experience and learning to deal with this kind of fear is quite important. Next: 13 reasons why you love being a cop. Higher education and police reform efforts are at a critical juncture. Police officers can keep their neighborhoods safe, Police officers get high levels of responsibility, Plenty of different fields you can work in, You learn how to deal with difficult people, Police officers get action on a regular basis, You will become really good friends with your colleagues, Most police officers have a high fitness level, Police officers can retire relatively early, Many people have lost respect for the police, You can lose your job due to one big mistake, Being a police officer is not the safest job, Police officers have to work at nighttime, Many police officers suffer from sleeping problems, Some police officers cant deal with events from the past, Especially problematic if you have to work in bad neighborhoods, Police officers have to deal with plenty of paperwork, Top 10 Being a Policeman Pros & Cons Summary List, salary, prospects, future outlook, educational requirements, duties, responsibilities, work-life balance and job satisfaction of police officers, 10 Smart Things To Do After Failing An Art Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing An Economics Degree, 18 Things To Do After Failing Your Communication Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Education Degree, 19 Things To Do After Failing Your Engineering Degree, 19 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Biology Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Psychology Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Business Degree, 33 Key Pros & Cons Of Being A Casino Dealer, 31 Key Pros & Cons Of Being An Underwriter, 30 Noble Pros & Cons Of Working For A Hedge Fund, 32 Nerdy Pros & Cons Of Being A Data Scientist, 31 Key Pros & Cons Of Being A Loan Officer. In fact, many police officers have to spend significant amounts of time on paperwork and other administrative tasks. To begin, it can result in unnecessary escalation, injury or death. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_19',189,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Another upside of becoming a police officer is that you will really learn how to deal with many different kinds of people. Police work can affect or sway our behavior to a greater degree of positivity, too. You will have to pass many different tests and many people fail those tests. Due to the bad things and the difficult decisions they have to make during their shifts, many police officers also suffer from serious sleeping issues. Everyone and everything is suspicious until proven otherwise. and manufacturers. It's not a lame assignment or a job for a cop looking for a cushy job In turn, you will also become more patient in case things dont work out the way you want them to be. In this case, police are given discretion, or freedom to decide, on the job to make decisions, but there is a 'thin blue line' that the police cannot cross or they will be in violation of the law. In case of emergency, it will be on you to decide whether there is the need to take away the lives of people or not. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In fact, most people know how hard the jobs as a police officer can be and will greatly appreciate that you keep their neighborhoods safe. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. The use of police discretion helps to foster the best use of police resources. 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 In fact, this can get really nasty, especially if your mistakes have led to serious adverse outcomes. Uniform Stories covers an array of subjects like field stories, entertaining anecdotes, and expert opinions. Policemen can support local neighborhoods. If you have made bad decisions in the past and have an extensive criminal record, your chances of becoming accepted as a police officer will be almost zero in most states. For instance, the officer could misinterpret a statute and make an erroneous arrest. 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. Consequently, it may also be hard for police officers to build trust with others and to make really good friends since they may always mistrust people right from the beginning. The major pro of being a police detective would be that the work would be interesting and intellectually stimulating. Officer Bob sees the person assault a passerby and must now use his discretion to decide whether he will intervene and possibly draw and use his weapon, or call for back up assistance. As a police officer, you will also have to rely on the support of your colleagues. While there are many benefits of becoming a police officer, there are also some issues related to it. Many police officers are also just not happy with their jobs. Officer Bob decides simply to warn the driver in this instance. What is police discretion? I did the same when I started working in consulting after finishing my Masters degree in Economics. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-banner-1','ezslot_15',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-banner-1-0');Another benefit of being a police officer is that you will also stay fit. Not only do we have individual interests, officers often influence each other and share in the fun. There are occasions when our friends or family want us to share our darkest moments, but we usually leave them contained. One important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. 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. You will also have to make difficult decisions within minutes or even seconds and your life will not be as easy as you might think now. You still want to become a police officer? As I went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics. It also gives them the chance to get to know the communities they will police. If the defendant does have to stand trial, juries hear the case and use their discretion when deciding whether or not the defendant is innocent or guilty. Many police officers are also not happy with their overall working environment. Leaders with a graduate degree are twice as likely to be familiar with evidence-based policing, which uses research to guide effective policy and practice. 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. This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your perspective. Additionally, there are those who argue that the use of police discretion can potentially result in a violation of one's Fourth Amendment rights. The disadvantages of police officer discretion are that it can escalate a situation or violate someone's rights if applied improperly. If you are thinking about becoming a police officer, you should first consider the many advantages and disadvantages of this profession. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. It is all a balancing act. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). Bringing about meaningful police reform requires transformational leadership. Johan Renck, Directorif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'environmental_conscience_com-box-2','ezslot_7',613,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-2-0'); if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'environmental_conscience_com-box-3','ezslot_2',614,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-3-0');You want to become a police officer? It is a curse and a blessing. The pay and advancement opportunities can be good depending on where you work. So daily we are exposed to human misery and conflict which gives us a very narrow version of society. An error occurred trying to load this video. This is necessary since most unlawful activities happen at nighttime. 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. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. They protect the community or certain neighborhoods and work to reduce crime rates. Officer discretion is a useful and necessary part of an officer's ability to do their job, as police officers must often make quick, in-the-moment decisions that cannot wait for specific laws to be consulted or reviewed. 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. 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. 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. At the beginning of your career, you will likely be rather intimidated and insecure regarding how to handle difficult situations. 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. While your job will be relatively easy in good neighborhoods, it can be a nightmare in bad neighborhoods where people just dont respect you at all. For example, internships and service-learning opportunities in college provide future police officers a chance to develop civic engagement skills. 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. 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