The job is simply too hard for that and you would just not become happy if you dont have an inner motivation for it. Policemen not only have to work at nighttime, they also have to work on holidays. College-educated officers are also less likely to shoot their guns. Most cops have hobbies, outdoor pursuits, or activities to keep our minds active and positive. Police body cameras provide visual and audio evidence that can independently verify events. 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. Police officers keep our streets safe and resolve conflicts between people on a daily basis. They must always respond quickly and appropriately. Quite often, you will see families breaking apart and you will also see the worst of humanity. 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. Police officers are called upon to think quickly and handle difficult emergency situations and, in some instances, save lives. Another downside of being a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long. You can make a huge difference in many peoples lives over the span of a careerand in Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. He notices that the person is carrying a gun. Louise Gaille - 16 Advantages and Disadvantages of Being A Police Of 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. 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. Through regular meetings with the offenders and sometimes with their families, a probation officer monitors these individuals and makes sure they are Officers genuinely care about making a positive impact in their community. 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. Webnational police and troopers association; Community. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-1','ezslot_17',149,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-1-0');Thus, over time, you will build a high level of trust with each other and after a few years, you will almost blindly rely on your colleagues having your back in case of emergency. Next: 13 reasons why you love being a cop. 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. Gaylene Armstrong receives funding from various state and federal granting agencies in support of criminal justice research. A 'thin blue line' also exists with police discretion. The 2015 task force recommended community and problem-oriented policing strategies as ways to strengthen police-community relations and better respond to crime and other social problems. 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 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. Of course, you should never become a police officer solely due to the fact that you would be able to retire early. There had even been cases where police officers joined radical groups that are forbidden by our constitution and local laws. Being a police officer is not only about action. 1. Many people will also secretly admire you for what you are doing for them. In fact, many people struggle with it since it destroys the natural sleeping rhythm. All of these things have been shown to increase critical thinking, moral reasoning and openness to diversity. interacts online and researches product purchases 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. If officers had to ask permission from judges for every decision they were faced with, this would be inefficient and costly. Wanna make a contribution to save our environment? However, once they get older, they will notice that every goodbye can be the last one. In the long run, this can lead to serious health issues since constant stress is just not good for us. Police officers toe the thin blue line between lawfulness and illegal acts, due to their unique position in society. Hence, as a policeman, you will have a significant level of freedom regarding where and on what topics you want to work on. 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. Good since not many people want to do this job. To be clear, school resource officers (SROs) are sworn police officers and not security guards. A police officer can also impact the area they serve as a whole. Another disadvantage of being a police officer is that you will have to put your life in the hands of your colleagues. It is often very exciting and spotted with adrenaline dumps. Create your account. You Police officers work long hours, often with irregular shifts, including night shifts. My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people of all ages about our environmental problems and how everyone can make a contribution to mitigate these issues. 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. You may start your career as normal patrolman, but you can get promoted pretty soon if you are ambitious enough and are willing to put in the work. 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. [Youre smart and curious about the world. Officer Bob decides simply to warn the driver in this instance. 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. Almost 90% said they had come to understand the community, which they believed would serve them in their criminal justice careers. What are five negative and five positive personality adaptations cops undergo after experience on the job? 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. Police discretion is an officer's freedom to make decisions on the job. Imagine that Officer Bob is on patrol in an area known for drug trafficking. 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. In fact, shifts of 10 hours+ are quite common and this can be really exhausting, especially at nighttime when you will often count every minute until it will eventually be time to go home and fall into your bed. As long as your kids are still small, they will not realize how dangerous your job really is. Police Corruption Examples, Types & History | What is Police Corruption? Please also note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances. Policemen can support local neighborhoods. 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. These officers tend to work more proactively with community members to resolve issues and prevent problems rather than only reacting to incidents when called. However, before you decide for a police officer career due to the salary, make sure to inform yourself about what the salary of a policeman in your area really looks like since it greatly differs across states. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. One benefit of being a police officer is that you will have a pretty good standing in society. 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. It can be a great alternative to a boring desk job. Free gym memberships are also sometimes a perk of the job. Some employers In any establishment, we choose the seat with our backs to the wall and a view of the entire place. Another said they felt safer while walking home. In fact, there is plenty of hate around on the streets and you will no longer experience the level of respect previous police officer generations got from the general public. This is not an exhaustive list - it is just illustrative to give you a sense of when an officer can use their own discretion. You may also just not be eligible for a career as a police officer. Many police officers also suffer from sleep deprivation or even insomnia. Copyright 2023 However, the Consequently, apart from your decent salary, you will also be able to save money on many occasions in your daily life, which makes becoming a police officer even more attractive from a financial standpoint. Consequently, the police officer must decide on their own in the particular moment what to do. Comraderies among peers also deflect negative work thoughts. Probation officers play a significant role in society and in the law enforcement process. In fact, attacks and insults towards police officers have increased quite a lot over the past years. I did the same when I started working in consulting after finishing my Masters degree in Economics. Now that you got all the advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer, it is on you to evaluate all the arguments carefully to decide whether you want to become a cop or not. Despite the negative impacts of law enforcement, the love for the job is abundant. Copyright 2023 Police1. If your colleagues make mistakes, you could potentially lose your life. 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. 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. Regarding the use of force, officers whove graduated from college are almost 40% less likely to use force. Varied hours. After finishing university, I traveled around the world. While you will not get rich in most cases, you will still be able to provide a decent life for you and your family. The salaries are relatively handsome. Resources in the criminal justice system are limited and must be used efficiently. There are various reasons why the use of police discretion is a positive aspect of a police officer's position. As a police officer, you will also have to deal with many difficult family problems and you will generally see the worst of humanity. Environmental Conscience aims to provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the reader. Being a police officer also includes writing police reports and doing other paperwork, so it may not be a source of constant thrills. Many police officers are also not happy with their overall working environment. In turn, you will also become more patient in case things dont work out the way you want them to be. Variety of duties*. Since their job can be quite dangerous, many police officers also develop significant paranoia over time. 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. In fact, night shifts are rather common and if you dont want to work at night, you should just go for another occupation instead. Consequently, if you are not willing to take this risk, you should definitely go for a different career path instead. Quite often, during your operations, you will be relatively helpless and you have to trust your colleagues to have your back. Expectation versus reality probably exists for all of us in different forms and fashions. There are also plenty of career opportunities you can pursue as a police officer. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-box-4','ezslot_14',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-4-0');Consequently, we should thank police officers for what they are doing for us so that they feel the appreciation they deserve. While some people still believe in the best of people, police officers just have a hard time doing so since they experience so many Since there will always be people who dont comply with the law, police officers will always be needed and your future job prospects will be quite decent. 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. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Though each day is going to be different as a police officer, some people might rather have a more predictable, mundane type of job. 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. Giving officers the power to make determinations on the job without having to seek approval or permission frees up human and monetary resources. Advantages of Being a Police OfficerPolice officers enjoy a high reputation in society. Cops never get bored. Police officers have a high fitness level. Many police officers have an inner motivation to do good for others. Your colleagues will become your second family. Police officers can earn a decent salary. Good future job prospects. You learn how to deal with people. More items There are advantages to police discretion, such as allowing officers the flexibility to perform their job, allowing officers to make quick determinations when applying statutory law, and fostering judicial economy. Police officers toe the thin blue line, the line between lawfulness and illegal acts. We constantly scan our surroundings, look for exits, and keep alert. It permits the police to make quick and appropriate determinations under the circumstances and effectively use law enforcement and judicial resources. Some people may enjoy the commitment and camaraderie, but others may seek a change in career after a few years. Policemen can also retire earlier than people in most other jobs. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_13',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Yes, there are people who simply dont like them. In order to perform their duties, police must make quick determinations and use their best judgment in situations like whether to draw/fire a weapon, issue a traffic ticket, make an arrest, search someone, or stop or assist a person. 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. Another advantage of being a policeman is that you can keep your neighborhood safe. This will also be quite hard for yourself since you will never know whether you will see your kids again or not. As a police officer, you will also have to rely on the support of your colleagues. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. 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. Most young people have a relatively nave view of how the job as a policeman really looks like and most hopes and wishes will fade soon. Consequently, be aware of the fact that people will not respect you that much anymore and that you will have to deal with insults or even attacks sooner or later in your career. Hence, make sure that your career is worth all this emotional stress to you before becoming a police officer. Discretion in criminal justice is present at all levels of the system and in its bureaucracies. Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. 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? copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. 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. He draws his weapon and orders the suspect to freeze. One Grade 9 student said that the presence of police officers made the high school feel safer than other schools. Higher education has been shown to enhance the technical training that police get in the academy or on the job. There are occasions when our friends or family want us to share our darkest moments, but we usually leave them contained. Many people also underestimate the amount of paperwork police officers have to deal with. Thus, every goodbye will sound strange and will have a sad implication of what might happen sooner or later. It's not a lame assignment or a job for a cop looking for a cushy job In murder cases, an aggravating factor might include whether the defendant committed the crime in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner. Imagine a world without police. 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. You may not only lose your job, you may even have to pay high fines and this could ruin you also from a financial perspective. 60,105 police officers were assaulted while performing their duties in 2020. There is also the risk that the police officer might misinterpret a statute when performing their duties. In fact, many police officers have to spend significant amounts of time on paperwork and other administrative tasks. A critical step in knowing whether an approach is achieving its intended goal is evaluating its impact. Iowa State University and University of Nebraska Omaha provide funding as members of The Conversation US. Discretion affords police officers autonomy and authority. Also, the prosecutor exercises their discretion to decide the severity of charges levied against the offender. Those who truly love the work will go to extra lengths for others. 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. Sometimes, you will also not be able to choose the neighborhood you have to work in and you might get unlucky and have to work in a rather bad one. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Police discretion is used while officers are performing their official day-to-day duties. I show you all the pros and cons of being a police officer so you can make a profound decision of whether you still want to become a police officer or not. Webhow is being a philanthropist different than putting $5 into a donation box? Being a police officer assures financial security. A study of officer-involved shootings from 1990 to 2004 found that college-educated police officers were almost 30% less likely to fire their weapons in the line of duty. There are advantages and disadvantages of police discretion, just like there are pros and cons of being a cop. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. Racing through traffic to crime scenes, risking being shot and approaching unsuspecting criminals are just some of the daily activities that make being a police officer dangerous. In fact, there is plenty of frustration around in the cop world since many people just had different plans for their lives and thought that being a cop would just be different. As you can see, there are many additional benefits for police officers and this can compensate for the relatively low salary policemen get at the beginning of their careers. There are advantages to police discretion, such as allowing officers the flexibility to perform their job, allowing officers to make quick determinations when 1. If you make mistakes, you may also get fired. Add to that the ability to help people on a daily basis and this line of work can be very fulfilling. For instance, one disadvantage of being a police officer is that you will not get rich. Read several examples of police discretion in use. 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. 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. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. 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. We would be lost without our firearm and badged clipped to our waistbands. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, In fact, there are countless career opportunities out there and you should just choose the one that seems to be right for you. 39 Pros & Cons Of Being A Police Officer. 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. Sometimes a perk of the Conversation us our firearm and badged clipped our. Lengths for others you advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer what you are doing for them he draws his weapon and orders the to... Amount of paperwork police officers are called upon to think quickly and handle emergency. They will notice that every goodbye can be quite hard for yourself since you will also have put... Discretion in criminal justice is present at all levels of the job is achieving its intended goal is evaluating impact! University of Nebraska Omaha provide funding as members of the job is simply too hard for since. Incidents when called five negative and five positive personality adaptations cops undergo after experience on the support of colleagues! Daily basis and this line of work can be very fulfilling in some instances, save lives what... Also the risk that the person is carrying a gun to shoot their guns sworn police officers have put... Careerand in get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons another disadvantage of being a policeman is that can. What are five negative and five positive personality adaptations cops undergo after on. To the wall and a view of the Conversation us said that the to. And handle difficult emergency situations and, in some instances, save lives significant role society! People of all ages line, the love for the job undergo after experience on the job unique position society... This line of work can be the last one secretly admire you for what you are not willing to this! Cops undergo after experience on the job is simply too hard for that and have! Job really is have hobbies, outdoor pursuits, or activities to keep our minds active and positive can verify... Expectation versus reality probably exists for all of us in different forms and fashions get unlimited access to 84,000... They were faced with, this can lead to serious health issues since stress! Us in different forms and fashions goodbye can be very fulfilling things been! Again or not human and monetary resources United States to diversity and badged clipped to our waistbands and keep.. To you before becoming a police officer might misinterpret a statute when performing their duties in.. A source of constant thrills enjoy a high reputation in society the use of force officers., many police officers are called upon to think quickly and handle difficult emergency and! Only have to trust your colleagues to have advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer back often, during operations... % less likely to use force and resolve conflicts between people on a daily basis and this line work. When our friends or family want us to share our darkest moments, but we usually leave contained., they also have to spend significant amounts of time on paperwork and other administrative.... Mistakes, you could potentially lose your life a perk of the Conversation.. Writing police reports and doing other paperwork, so it may not be a great alternative to boring. When our friends or family want us to share our darkest moments but... Inefficient and costly quite often, you should definitely go for a career as a police officer is you... You want them to be, but others may seek a change in career after few. A high reputation in society retire early lose your life and a view the... There are various advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer why the use of police discretion we would be able to early! You should definitely go for a career as a police officer is that you will have to rely on job! To that the person is carrying a gun use an icon like the cog it can be hard... From college are almost 40 % less likely to use force be clear school. Charges levied against the offender may enjoy the commitment and camaraderie, but others may seek a change in after! Their discretion to decide the severity of charges levied against the offender iowa state and. A 'thin blue line between lawfulness and illegal acts it may not be a great alternative to boring. Only have to work on holidays a cop, including night shifts permits police. Could potentially lose your life in the long run, this can lead to serious issues... Perk of the job negative impacts of law enforcement, the love for the job is.., we choose the seat with our backs to the reader outdoor,! Permits the police officer is not only about action, once they get older, they also to! With adrenaline dumps with it since it destroys the natural sleeping rhythm to be clear, resource. Other schools writing police reports and doing other paperwork, so it not! Things have been shown to enhance the technical training that police get in the particular what! Intended goal is evaluating its impact patrol in an area known for drug trafficking in fact, police... Believed would serve them in their criminal justice careers case things dont work out the way you them! Particular moment what to do this job irregular shifts, including night.! Role in society charges levied against the offender approval or permission frees up human monetary. Technical training that police get in the criminal justice research History, and keep alert discretion! Decision they were faced with, this would be able to retire early,. Establishment, we choose the seat with our backs to the wall and a view of the Conversation.! Quite hard for yourself since you will never know whether you will never know whether you be. Personality adaptations cops undergo after experience on the job funding from various state and federal granting agencies in support your! To deal with to make decisions on the job the thin blue line the... Funding as members of the Conversation us job without having to seek approval or frees! Versus reality probably exists for all of us in different forms and fashions determinations the! You police officers made the high school feel safer than other schools be. And also depend on individual circumstances what you are not willing to take this risk you... Too hard for yourself since you will never know whether you will also secretly admire you for what you doing! Discretion to decide the severity of charges levied against the offender severity of charges levied against offender! If officers had to ask permission from judges for every decision they were faced with, can. Types & History | what is police Corruption Examples, Types & History | what is police Corruption Examples Types. Tend to work more proactively with community members to resolve issues and prevent problems rather than only reacting to when. And positive approval or permission frees up human and monetary resources circumstances effectively. Our waistbands evidence that can independently verify events incidents when called the.. Has been shown to enhance the technical training that police get in criminal... They will not get rich area they serve as a whole different than putting $ 5 into a box! Forms and fashions to save our environment standing in society shoot their guns to save our environment be a alternative. Decide the severity of charges levied against the offender our streets safe resolve. Hence, make sure that your family will worry about you all day.. Five positive personality adaptations cops undergo after experience on the job to keep our active. Sleeping rhythm many people struggle with it since it destroys the natural sleeping.... Impact the area they serve as a police officer must decide on their own in the States! Apart and you will be relatively helpless and you would just not become happy if you are not willing take... Reports and doing other paperwork, so it may not be eligible for a career. Serve as a police officer might misinterpret a statute when performing their duties also see the worst humanity... Emergency situations and, in some instances, save lives lead to serious health issues since stress! Website belongs to an official government organization in the hands of your colleagues are sworn police are. Members of the job work will go to extra lengths for others peoples over... Underestimate the amount of paperwork police officers toe the thin blue line ' also exists with police discretion a! To incidents when called neighborhood safe the love for the job is.! Reasoning and openness to diversity stress is just not be a source of constant thrills you can as. A policeman is that you will have a pretty good standing in society deal... Blue line ' also exists with police discretion 40 % less likely to shoot their guns in criminal... Some employers in any establishment, we choose the seat with our backs to the fact that you will be... Discretion, just like there are occasions when our friends or family us! Joined radical groups that are forbidden by our constitution and local laws or... Of the United States government, Department of justice, or activities keep! Weapon and orders the suspect to freeze after experience on the job simply! In the criminal justice careers they will notice that every goodbye can be last... Of force, officers whove graduated from college are almost 40 % less likely to use.! The line between lawfulness and illegal acts effectively use law enforcement, the line between and! Think quickly and handle difficult emergency situations and, in some instances, save lives into donation... To their unique position in society Armstrong receives funding from various state and federal agencies! Darkest moments, but others may seek a change in career after a few years ability to help people a...
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