This is quite logical since whenever you need the police, something bad has happened to others. ], 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. There are allowances and plenty of financial coverage taking care of various Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. Police officers also have to make really difficult decisions. The officers deter criminal activity such as theft, vandalism and terrorism, protect their employers investments and enforce While there are many benefits of becoming a police officer, there are also some issues related to it. Quite often, police officers are confronted with situations that are pretty unpleasant. Specialty assignments hone in on someones individual talents whether they are born or made. By far, the residual payoffs outweigh the bad. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. There will also be the possibility that you have to work at nighttime as a police officer. Moreover, you will also learn how to read people and this is crucial to succeeding not only as police officer, but also in various other parts of your life. This could mean that you will not be able to celebrate Christmas or other important holidays with your family and your kids will be quite sad and may even resent you for that in the long run. There are, however, cons to police discretion, which include: Police can use their discretion when deciding whether or not to search a vehicle, but they may make the wrong determination and violate the rights of a person. Another downside of becoming a police officer is that you will also have to work at nighttime. Also, the prosecutor exercises their discretion to decide the severity of charges levied against the offender. Territories Financial Support Center (TFSC), Tribal Financial Management Center (TFMC). 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. 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. 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. Research has also shown that police officers themselves recognize the value of a college degree. Higher education has been shown to enhance the technical training that police get in the academy or on the job. She has tutored English and History, as well as STEM classes, such as Statics, Calculus, and Thermodynamics. Similarly, community-oriented policing emphasizes building relationships with citizens to identify and respond to community crime problems. 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. 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. The salaries are relatively handsome. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. 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. In fact, there will be almost no day without any insults or complaints that you have to deal with as a police officer. This in turn better enables them to more rigorously and regularly evaluate policies and practices adopted by their departments. Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day they go to work, police officers are risking their lives. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Policemen can support local neighborhoods. Each specialized duty boasts about its place in the organization and those assigned sometimes try to outshine the others in performance while respecting the independent functions. Another problem with being a police officer is that you can also lose your job due to only one big mistake. In fact, many police officers have an inner motivation to protect the people they already know from early childhood. In fact, you can work in many different departments over the course of your career and are rather flexible regarding the field you want to work in. 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. Use of force is defined as actions that range from verbal threats to use force to actually using force that could cause physical harm. Its dreadful, really. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Being a police officer in America is a tough job.. I admit, this can be annoying at the beginning. With this knowledge, it can be pretty hard to make rational decisions and you may even have to take away the lives of people on some occasions to protect yourself. What is police discretion? It permits the police to make quick and appropriate determinations under the circumstances and effectively use law enforcement and judicial resources. Especially in your early years as a policeman, you will be on the street quite often. Whether youre studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. Consequently, make sure that you are also willing to do this kind of work before deciding to become a police officer. LockA locked padlock You can get our highlights each weekend. You should really be convinced about it and should take your mission quite seriously. Discretion is applied from the moment someone is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion to make the initial decision to arrest. Here are eight advantages of being a security officer: 1. 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. 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. The officer can use their discretion and decide whether or not to issue a ticket, issue a warning, or make an arrest. 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. Since police officers enjoy a high reputation among the general public, they often get additional perks. One benefit of being a police officer is that you will have a pretty good standing in society. We are selective of where we dine. In one study, officers with criminal justice degrees said their education helped them gain managerial skills. Officers genuinely care about making a positive impact in their community. Often, in murder trials, the punishment can be the death penalty or life imprisonment. 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. Many organizations allow workouts on duty and participate in dietetic and nutritional training for their employees. 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. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. 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. 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. 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. Of the 60,105 assaulted officers, 31% sustained injuries. Taken together, all of these skills are essential for successful policework. Among students who participated in a criminal justice service-learning course working with young people in the community, 80% reported a change from stereotypical assumptions that all of them would be criminals to a better understanding of them as individuals with goals and potential - some not so different from the students own dreams. Police discretion is used while officers are performing their official day-to-day duties. There will always be the risk to get injured or dying during your shift as a police officer. 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. Cops are not immune to the changes in the divisiveness of society and the emotional drama associated with it. Problem-oriented policing is a proactive strategy to identify crime problems in communities. For instance, as college students, aspiring or current police officers participate in internships, do community service or study abroad. Policemen also learn how to deal with difficult people early on in their careers. Of course, to succeed in this regard, you also have to build a strong network over time. Its the nature of the beast. Disadvantages of Becoming a Probation Officer. This is necessary since most unlawful activities happen at nighttime. 551 lessons. All of these things have been shown to increase critical thinking, moral reasoning and openness to diversity. While some people like this insecurity since they get a certain level of excitement out of it, others who need a structured day hate it and if you are the kind of person who wants to play way ahead, chances are that becoming a police officer will just not be the right way to go for you. Police officers may incorrectly assess a situation and escalate it unnecessarily, such as by choosing an inappropriate time to draw their weapon. 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. Another advantage of being a policeman is that you can keep your neighborhood safe. 2017 shooting of an unarmed youth. Special District Police Agencies: Types & Roles, What Is a Guardian ad Litem? Police officers also get confronted with really bad things during their careers. Please also note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances. In murder cases, an aggravating factor might include whether the defendant committed the crime in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. 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 work is rife with circumstantial stressors. I feel like its a lifeline. The job requires long hours, and many officers spend their lives on the force. Hence, as a policeman, you will have a significant level of freedom regarding where and on what topics you want to work on. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. For instance, one mistake on your side can take away lives. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Officer Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot. Our fuses and energy become shortwith sleep deprivation, long shift hours, societal isolation, and continued exposure to negative human elements. Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Crime Measurement Programs: History & Nature, The History of Women & Minority Members in the Police Profession, Recruitment of Women & Minorities in Policing. Environmental Conscience aims to provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the reader. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. It is awkward at times, but we think we are funny. A college education helps officers become better at identifying quality information and scientific evidence. Many citizens are shielded from the horrors we encounter. When the police perform their official duties, there is a certain level of discretion they must use. 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. 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. 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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. One important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. Among others, articles have been cited by NPOs, Wikipedia, Medium.com as well as on several college websites and lifestyle blogs. You will never know what happens during your shift and every operation could potentially be the last one for you. Some policemen also get special training for free which in turn can translate into better chances for promotions in the future. Moreover, I also dont think that people want to be supervised and controlled solely by machines. It also gives them the chance to get to know the communities they will police. Imagine you take away the life of a person and it turns out that this has not been necessary at all. Some people may find this overwhelming, and others may find great joy in being responsible for helping others. Being a police officer is not only about action. Thus, make sure that you are willing to work hard if you really aspire to a police officer career. Louise Gaille - 16 Advantages and Disadvantages of Being A Police Of Policemen can also retire earlier than people in most other jobs. 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. However, Ive quit pretty soon after that since I havent found true meaning in my job. You Gaylene Armstrong receives funding from various state and federal granting agencies in support of criminal justice research. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Many police officers just have a hard time dealing with this fact and try to suppress it. Discretion gives officers the flexibility to perform their job. Officer Bob decides simply to warn the driver in this instance. Varied hours. 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. In addition to the personal satisfaction that you gain, you will receive a competitive salary as well as a number of other benefits. While this can be quite annoying and emotionally challenging, you will also learn how to keep your emotions under control and how to react to difficult situations. 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. Depending on the state you live in and your educational level, you can also earn pretty decent money from being a police officer. Chances are that it can get much better if you stay ambitious and try to get into different departments. WebPros of a Career as a Probation Officer. Whether it is a call to action in the line of duty or a personal crisis, the blue family will be there for one another come hell or high water. 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. See disclaimer. This could mean that they think that somebody follows them to their house when there will actually nobody be there. Research shows that, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints. Among street-level officers who have the most interaction with the public, having a bachelors degree significantly increases commitment to community policing. 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. Christine Liddell graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. Consequently, dont be discouraged if your first job as a police officer will not be your dream job. 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. For both the corporation and the community, there are advantages and disadvantages to empowering private security officers with police authority. There are some circumstances where you could lose your job overnight and you might end up unemployed and even homeless in the long run due to that. Gain, you will be almost no day without any insults or complaints that you will be... Rather than incarceration, school resource officers ( SROs ) are sworn police officers have an inner motivation to the! 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