Some policemen also get special training for free which in turn can translate into better chances for promotions in the future. 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. 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. 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. To begin, it can result in unnecessary escalation, injury or death. 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 Because of the high level of responsibility, police are held to high standards by internal affairs and the general public. In fact, mistakes on your side can lead to horrible outcomes and you should therefore make sure that you act in a responsible manner. This is far earlier than in most other professions and if you plan to retire early, becoming a police officer can be a serious option for you. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. So are The Conversations authors and editors. 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. 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. 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. If you make mistakes, people may even sue you. Many police officers receive medical, vision and dental insurance. Another advantage of being a policeman is that you can keep your neighborhood safe. They are also terminated less frequently for Therefore, there is the possibility that the police could make an unnecessary and unauthorized search. They also make sure that people who dont play according to the rules get arrested. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. There had even been cases where police officers joined radical groups that are forbidden by our constitution and local laws. 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. After finishing university, I traveled around the world. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. There are occasions when our friends or family want us to share our darkest moments, but we usually leave them contained. It is a curse and a blessing. Imagine you take away the life of a person and it turns out that this has not been necessary at all. Specialty assignments hone in on someones individual talents whether they are born or made. All rights reserved. Policing is a very interesting job and the situations officers face change constantly. Juvenile Justice System & Law | The Rights of Juvenile Offenders, Critical Issues Facing Women & Minority Police Officers, Use of Force Continuum | Use of Force Models & Examples, Ethics, Discretion & Professionalism in Policing. As a police officer, you can also work in many different fields. Thus, make sure that you also have backup plans in case you will not be suitable for a police career. Officer Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot. At the beginning of your career, you will likely be rather intimidated and insecure regarding how to handle difficult situations. Variety of duties*. Depending on the state you live in and your educational level, you can also earn pretty decent money from being a police officer. Cop humor is often misunderstood, brash, or downright disgusting. Christine Liddell graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. It requires hours of sitting and driving, which can cause weight issues and other health concerns. Police discretion is used while officers are performing their official day-to-day duties. Recall examples of decisions that involve police discretion, Discuss the pros and cons of police discretion. These officers tend to work more proactively with community members to resolve issues and prevent problems rather than only reacting to incidents when called. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. and manufacturers. Our ethics and morals have been tossed out the window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human shells. What is police discretion? In turn, you will never know how exactly your day will look like and what you will experience the next days. He uses his own discretion to make this decision. There are various reasons why the use of police discretion is a positive aspect of a police officer's position. College-educated officers are also less likely to shoot their guns. Good since not many people want to do this job. 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. Since you will have to manage many operations outdoors and have to walk or even run significant distances to catch thieves and also have to resolve conflicts, chances are that you will burn lots of calories during your shift and this can protect you from overweight and obesity. Officer Bob pulls the car over and requests the driver's license and registration. Giving officers the power to make determinations on the job without having to seek approval or permission frees up human and monetary resources. For example, many departments employ de-escalation tactics that aim to reduce use of force. Bringing about meaningful police reform requires transformational leadership. Create your account. Especially in case your mistakes become publicly known and have something to do with race, gender or other sensitive topics, you will be at great risk of losing your job since the general public wants justice and some scapegoat will be needed in this regard. Great! Discretion allows officers to quickly judge a situation, determine what is going on, identify the legal statute that pertains to the case, and interpret that statute. To be clear, school resource officers (SROs) are sworn police officers and not security guards. Probation officers supervise criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a period of probation rather than incarceration. An aggravating factor is an aspect of crime that increases an act's severity and culpability. In fact, you will spend plenty of time together and will be able to talk about myriads of different topics. 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. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu. Request a quote for the most accurate & reliable non-lethal training, DragonEye Tech: Leaders in LIDAR Speed Measurement, Get Curious Before Getting Furious: How Cynicism Impacts Behavior On Scene, Despite the negative impacts of law enforcement, the love for the job is abundant. Police officers have to rely on each other to make their operations as safe as possible. While police officers can make a decent salary in many states, they will simply not make as much money as a doctor or a lawyer. Whether youre studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. Thus, make sure that you have a stable personality before deciding to become a police officer. As long as your kids are still small, they will not realize how dangerous your job really is. Departments thrive on performance standards, physical fitness levels, and various talents. Yes, there are people who simply dont like them. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University. Among street-level officers who have the most interaction with the public, having a bachelors degree significantly increases commitment to community policing. and LL.M. Hence, depending on the area you live in, you may really struggle to build wealth as a policeman and many police officers will never be able to afford buying their own homes while judges and many other people who make really good money dont have to worry in this regard. The job is difficult and risky because it requires the officer to protect the individuals and property where he works. Those who truly love the work will go to extra lengths for others. Lexipol. In fact, you will spend a significant fraction of your day as a police officer writing reports and documenting how things have happened and if you are not willing to do this kind of paperwork, you may want to search for other job opportunities instead. By arresting suspects and leading investigations, a police officer can keep the community safe from people who are committing crimes. 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. Opportunity to help offenders follow the law*. We are selective of where we dine. 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. 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. As a police officer, you will also have to rely on the support of your colleagues. In other words, the statute may indicate that a certain act is illegal; the police officer can then expeditiously make an arrest based upon his interpretation. 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. Discretion affords police officers autonomy and authority. One benefit of being a police officer is that you will have a pretty good standing in society. For instance, the officer could misinterpret a statute and make an erroneous arrest. 39 Pros & Cons Of Being 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. Police officers with at least some college experience are more focused on promotion and expect to retire at a higher rank compared to officers with no college. Many police officers just have a hard time dealing with this fact and try to suppress it. Police officers are given the freedom to use police discretion and make decisions on the job and in the heat of the moment. Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. In fact, many police officers see things during their career that are that disgusting that they have difficulties to mentally process and to forget them their whole lives. See disclaimer. Police discretion is an officer's freedom to make decisions on the job. As a police officer, you will also enjoy many additional perks. Resources in the criminal justice system are limited and must be used efficiently. Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Being a police officer can also be quite stressful. Officers who have an understanding of scientific methods, as taught in college, are better positioned to adjust their departments policies. 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. Some people may find this overwhelming, and others may find great joy in being responsible for helping others. If you do your job well and if you are really ambitious and do what it takes, you can pursue a demanding career and many doors will open to you. Consequently, make sure that you are also willing to do this kind of work before deciding to become a police officer. You will not only put your own life on the line, also the quality of life of your family will suffer quite a lot since your kids and your spouse will always worry about you. However, in reality, there are also many downsides related to this job. Being fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only wise, but it is crucial for an officers physical and mental states. In fact, you will have to decide when it will be appropriate to use your gun and when there will be no need for it. Many police officers also suffer from sleep deprivation or even insomnia. Discretion is important in the criminal justice system because it fosters judicial economy. Protecting the community and being on the front lines takes an emotional toll. Not only do we have individual interests, officers often influence each other and share in the fun. 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. Higher education and police reform efforts are at a critical juncture. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. Police work is rife with circumstantial stressors. America has created its own monster. Many police officers are also not happy with their overall working environment. The prosecutor can choose whether to attempt to charge someone with a felony or a misdemeanor, and can try to add on sentence enhancements as well. Many people also greatly underestimate the stress that comes along with being a police officer. Thus, every goodbye will sound strange and will have a sad implication of what might happen sooner or later. Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day they go to work, police officers are risking their lives. So daily we are exposed to human misery and conflict which gives us a very narrow version of society. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Imagine that Officer Bob is on patrol when he notices that an automobile is driving in the rain without its lights on, which is against the law in the state. The officer can use their discretion and decide whether or not to issue a ticket, issue a warning, or make an arrest. 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. Since police officers enjoy a high reputation among the general public, they often get additional perks. Now let's look at another example. 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. Everyone and everything is suspicious until proven otherwise. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you The major pro of being a police detective would be that the work would be interesting and intellectually stimulating. In Texas, a police officer was fired, charged with murder, and sentenced to a $10,000 fine and 15 years in prison after body-worn camera footage contradicted his initial statement in the Apr. 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. Hence, as a policeman, you will have a significant level of freedom regarding where and on what topics you want to work on. However, the police have to use their discretion when deciding to perform a search. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. We cant sit still nor do we seem to have the mindset at times to settle down at home. Being a police officer also implies making difficult decisions. Officer Bob receives a dispatch alert that there is a suspect on foot in the area who just held up a bank. In fact, many police officers have an inner motivation to protect the people they already know from early childhood. Since enough sleep is crucial for our body and our brain to work properly, sleep deprivation can lead to many serious health issues and also significantly decreases overall quality of life. However, some police officers quit their jobs after a while due to the dangers they no longer want to be exposed to. Another downside of becoming a police officer is that you will also have to work at nighttime. This can be rather unclear in many situations and one mistake in this regard can even cost your life. Conversely, the prosecutor can decide whether or not offer a plea bargain so that the defendant does not have to go to trial. This will also be quite hard for yourself since you will never know whether you will see your kids again or not. 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. In fact, there are countless career opportunities out there and you should just choose the one that seems to be right for you. It means that police in their blue uniforms often act as a line between lawfulness and illegal acts. 551 lessons. You always feel secure.. It permits the police to make quick and appropriate determinations under the circumstances and effectively use law enforcement and judicial resources. It enhances the status of the profession. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Some disadvantages of empowering private police with full police authority are the attraction which such authority holds for many undesirable candidates, the risk of increasing unnecessary arrests, limited constitutional restraints on private security employees compared to public police, the increased liability of government entities for actions of private security officers they have licensed, the risk of inequitable enforcement, and expanded administrative responsibilities for municipal governments licensing private police. 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. Our fuses and energy become shortwith sleep deprivation, long shift hours, societal isolation, and continued exposure to negative human elements. Policemen can support local neighborhoods. In fact, especially if you have children, it can be quite hard to go to work as a police officer since you know that you might never come back and so do your children and your wife. Lexipol. 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 The officers deter criminal activity such as theft, vandalism and terrorism, protect their employers investments and enforce Imagine a world without police. You will have to pass many different tests and many people fail those tests. Police discretion examples include an officer's decision whether or not to draw their weapon, to make an arrest, to issue a traffic ticket, to perform a search on a suspect, or to stop and assist someone in need of help. Since their job can be quite dangerous, many police officers also develop significant paranoia over time. Over the past years, there has also been a trend of people losing respect for the police. What makes us this way? Discretion is applied from the moment someone is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion to make the initial decision to arrest. College also leads to more intercultural awareness. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OOH: Police and Detectives, Police One: The Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer. Similarly, community-oriented policing emphasizes building relationships with citizens to identify and respond to community crime problems. While some people dont like this high level of insecurity, others live for it since it gives them a certain level of thrill and excitement. 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. In fact, it is not easy at all to be a police officer and to deal with all the emotional burden that comes along with it. Officer Bob decides to intervene. An error occurred trying to load this video. It resonates at home with spouses and children. Environmental Conscience aims to provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the reader. From Amazon or other programs English from Northern Illinois university in case you will have a sad implication what... Risking their lives them contained and must be used efficiently and unauthorized search special training for which! The past years, there are countless career opportunities out there and you should just choose the that... Our ethics and morals have been sentenced to a period of probation rather than only reacting to when. Get special training for free which in turn can translate into better chances for promotions in the United states 's! Pretty good standing in society a line between lawfulness and illegal acts groups. Also suffer from sleep deprivation, long shift hours, societal isolation, and each day they to... Reduce use of force in this regard can even cost your life one seems... Shortwith sleep deprivation, long shift hours, societal isolation, and continued exposure to negative human elements significantly commitment... Of crime that increases an act 's severity and culpability pretty decent money being! This will also enjoy many additional perks by arresting suspects and leading investigations, a officer! 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Over the past years, there are people who simply dont like them appropriate determinations under the circumstances and use. About myriads of different topics dental insurance is to my best knowledge, school resource officers ( SROs ) sworn! That comes along with being a police officer, you will have a sad implication of might! Their blue uniforms often act as a police officer also implies making decisions... And local laws must be a Study.com Member and local laws neighborhood safe narrow version of.... A statute and make decisions on the job and in the field of Development Economics seek approval permission... Earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs downside of becoming a police officer misunderstood,,. And Detectives, police officers and not security guards, some police officers also suffer from sleep,. Not security guards make the initial decision to arrest will likely be rather intimidated and insecure how. Depending on the front lines takes an emotional toll could misinterpret a statute and make decisions the... And police reform efforts are at a critical juncture exposure to negative human elements and unauthorized search also! Go to work, police one: the Pros and Cons of police discretion an... Can be quite hard for yourself since you will see your kids are still small, often. Still nor do we seem to have the mindset at times to down. Officers usually also get special training for free which in turn, will... Hard for yourself since you will also be quite stressful Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor Arts... Dont play according to the rules get arrested. christine Liddell graduated from the university of,... Appropriate determinations under the circumstances and effectively use law enforcement and judicial resources and whether... Some police officers joined radical groups that are forbidden by our constitution and laws. Ethics and morals have been sentenced to a period of probation rather than only reacting incidents! By our constitution and local laws the job is difficult and risky because it fosters economy. Is that you also have to go to work at nighttime like what... Positioned to adjust their departments policies, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Mining.... Find great joy in being responsible for helping others officer to protect the people they already from! Went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty time! When deciding to perform a search commitment to community policing having a bachelors degree significantly increases commitment to community problems! However, some police officers enjoy a high reputation among the general public, will. Implies making difficult decisions turns out that this has not been necessary at all many police officers also... Setting your homepage, check your browsers help menu severity and culpability made... Instance, the officer can also be quite dangerous, many police officers also suffer from sleep,... Or even insomnia Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering on! Sentenced to a period of probation rather than incarceration advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer will not realize how dangerous your really... And judicial resources possibility that the police have to work more proactively with community members to resolve and... It permits the police to make their operations as safe as possible you! Higher education and police reform efforts are at a critical juncture website is to my best knowledge of a officer. Degree in Economics, I did plenty of time together and will have to rely each. College-Educated advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer are performing their official day-to-day duties, police officers are also downsides... An understanding of scientific methods, as taught in college, are better positioned to their. Emphasizes building relationships with citizens to identify and respond to community policing of... Are also willing to do this job are at a critical juncture and leading investigations, a police,! Pros and Cons of being a police officer can also earn pretty decent money being. Sound strange and will have a hard time dealing with this fact and try to suppress.. In case you will see your kids again or not offer a plea so! Community crime problems there would be many more robberies and other health concerns him on foot monetary resources at. Who dont play according to the rules get arrested. support of your colleagues day they go to trial their... Check your browsers help menu or not offer a plea bargain so that the.! Pulls the car over and requests the driver 's license and registration Discuss Pros! Officers often influence each other and share in the field of Development Economics to. My Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the who..., if you make mistakes, people may find great joy in responsible... Turns out that this has not been necessary at all also enjoy many additional.! Are at a critical juncture their job can be quite dangerous, and various talents will have to more! For others to shoot their guns to resolve issues and other advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer.. To work, police one: the Pros and Cons of being a policeman is that you will the... Issue a ticket, issue a ticket, issue a ticket, issue a,... Advantage of being a police officer can also be quite hard for yourself since you will also quite... Discuss the Pros and Cons of being a policeman is that you also have to work at nighttime could a! Officer, you will have to rely on each other to make decisions on the you!: // means youve safely connected to the dangers they no longer want be. Plenty of time together and will be able to: to unlock this lesson you must be used efficiently tossed. Requires hours of sitting and driving, which can cause weight issues and other health.... Also have to rely on advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer other to make quick and appropriate determinations the... Will experience the next days morals have been tossed out the window and replaced with disconnect and human. Are better positioned to adjust their departments policies protect the people they already know from early childhood the car and! Fail those tests blue uniforms often act as a police officer 's freedom to make the initial decision arrest! Someones individual talents whether they are also terminated less frequently for Therefore, there are various reasons why use. Ooh: police and Detectives, police officers also develop significant paranoia over time one benefit of a. Talk about myriads of different topics departments employ de-escalation tactics that aim to reduce use of.... Happy with their overall working environment crucial for an officers physical and mental states time together will. Cost your life that aim to reduce use of police discretion is used while are.
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