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. Thus, no job is the same and job descriptions may not completely fit your individual experiences. 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. Policemen can also retire earlier than people in most other jobs. 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. Though each day is going to be different as a police officer, some people might rather have a more predictable, mundane type of job. Depending on the state you live in and your educational level, you can also earn pretty decent money from being a police officer. 551 lessons. Being a police officer assures financial security. 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. If you are looking for a fast-paced, exciting career that will allow you to make a difference in your community, you may enjoy being a police officer. interacts online and researches product purchases 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. 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. Another disadvantage of being a police officer is that you will have to put your life in the hands of your colleagues. 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. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. It enhances the status of the profession. In any establishment, we choose the seat with our backs to the wall and a view of the entire place. 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. In many states, police officers can retire as early as in their 50s, even though they have to accept a reduced pension in such a case. Its dreadful, really. When the police perform their official duties, there is a certain level of discretion they must use. You can make a huge difference in many peoples lives over the span of a careerand in Many police officers also suffer from sleep deprivation or even insomnia. 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. If police officers had to stop and ask permission before making any type of decision, this would greatly diminish their ability to address immediately dangerous or critical situations. However, there are also many downsides related to this career path. If you are thinking about becoming a police officer, you should first consider the many advantages and disadvantages of this profession. 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. An aggravating factor is an aspect of crime that increases an act's severity and culpability. 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. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. Varied hours. In fact, your colleagues will become your second family since you simply spend so much time with them. Let's look at some examples of when a police officer must use his or her discretion. In fact, mistakes on your side can lead to horrible outcomes and you should therefore make sure that you act in a responsible manner. The principle of police 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. Disadvantages of Becoming a Probation Officer. In fact, not all police officers have good intentions and you should be quite careful in case your boss tries to push you in such a direction. In one study, officers with criminal justice degrees said their education helped them gain managerial skills. Decent pay ($53,360 average as of May 2014) Option to work in or out of an office environment (a probationer's home, place of employment or the officer's office)*. Another said they felt safer while walking home. 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. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). 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. It means that police in their blue uniforms often act as a line between lawfulness and illegal acts. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Moreover, I also dont think that people want to be supervised and controlled solely by machines. The job is difficult and risky because it requires the officer to protect the individuals and property where he works. During your career, you will often have the chance to support people who urgently need it. The Disadvantages of Being a Police OfficerDanger Is Everywhere. The biggest issue with being a police officer is the simple fact that it is extremely dangerous. Pay Is Disappointing. You would think that with all of the dangers associated with being a police officer that the pay would reflect that, but sadly, it doesnt.Crazy Hours. Training Is Crazy. Louise Gaille - 16 Advantages and Disadvantages of Being A Police Of As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 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. 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. 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. Some employers Among others, articles have been cited by NPOs, Wikipedia, Medium.com as well as on several college websites and lifestyle blogs. In fact, there are countless career opportunities out there and you should just choose the one that seems to be right for you. Among other things, they say a college education improves ethical decision-making skills, knowledge and understanding of the law and the courts, openness to diversity, and communication skills. Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Bringing about meaningful police reform requires transformational leadership. 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. We constantly scan our surroundings, look for exits, and keep alert. I admit, this can be annoying at the beginning. Police officers are often misinterpreted when our antics are overheard in public. 60,105 police officers were assaulted while performing their duties in 2020. Less likely to use violence. Therefore, there is the possibility that the police could make an unnecessary and unauthorized search. Police discretion is used while officers are performing their official day-to-day duties. In fact, this can get really nasty, especially if your mistakes have led to serious adverse outcomes. 1. 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. 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. Police discretion allows officers to make decisions when a clear solution may not exist. Crime Measurement Programs: History & Nature, The History of Women & Minority Members in the Police Profession, Recruitment of Women & Minorities in Policing. Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. Copyright 2023 There is just that much insecurity involved in this job that you will never know when you are called to the next operation. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OOH: Police and Detectives, Police One: The Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer. Discretion is applied from the moment someone is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion to make the initial decision to arrest. Many police officers just have a hard time dealing with this fact and try to suppress it. Officer Bob pulls the car over and requests the driver's license and registration. Through regular meetings with the offenders and sometimes with their families, a probation officer monitors these individuals and makes sure they are Our ethics and morals have been tossed out the window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human shells. Police officers have to rely on each other to make their operations as safe as possible. Since their job can be quite dangerous, many police officers also develop significant paranoia over time. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu. Similarly, researchers have found that officers with at least a two-year degree were 40% less likely to lose their jobs due to misconduct. The use of police discretion helps to foster the best use of police resources. So are The Conversations authors and editors. Community policing and problem-oriented policing require problem solving and creative thinking skills that the college experience helps develop. Being a police officer also implies making difficult decisions. They do not find comic relief in a tragedy. Hence, you dont have to worry about future job opportunities as a police officer that much since there will be plenty of work that still has to be carried out by humans. Many citizens are shielded from the horrors we encounter. Hence, if you are not able to process those issues in an emotionally healthy manner, chances are that you will be quite unhappy as a policeman. The job requires long hours, and many officers spend their lives on the force. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-3','ezslot_21',193,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-3-0'); Networks are crucial for promotions, not only as a police officer but also in the corporate world. Policemen also learn how to deal with difficult people early on in their careers. What makes us this way? In the long run, this can lead to serious health issues since constant stress is just not good for us. Here are eight advantages of being a security officer: 1. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that you will also stay quite fit during your active career. Many officers would say humor buffers the shroud of reality we face in societal problems. Discretion fosters judicial economy. 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. You may also be quite scared since you know that you will have to deal with armed people sooner or later. Another advantage of being a policeman is that you can keep your neighborhood safe. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Some policemen also get special training for free which in turn can translate into better chances for promotions in the future. Consequently, make sure that you are also willing to do this kind of work before deciding to become a police officer. Hence, as a policeman, you will have a significant level of freedom regarding where and on what topics you want to work on. In fact, you will spend plenty of time together and will be able to talk about myriads of different topics. However, the police have to use their discretion when deciding to perform a search. Officer Bob observes that the driver has no record of any kind; therefore, it is up to Officer Bob's discretion as to whether to give the driver a ticket for driving without lights on during a rainstorm. Educated law enforcement professionals will be better equipped to lead much-needed reform efforts. Thus, make sure that you have a stable personality before deciding to become a police officer. 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. What Are the Major Skills and Traits That a Police Officer Must Have Today?Communication Skills. This is extremely important for a police officer because most of your tasks will get done by communicating with others.Writing Skills. Police officers often need to write incidents reports. Active Listen er. Ability to Obtain Knowledge. Adaptability. Attention to Details. Critical Thinking. Friendly. Empathy and Compassion. More items It permits the police to make quick and appropriate determinations under the circumstances and effectively use law enforcement and judicial resources. 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? Private Law Enforcement: Types, Functions & Roles. In the long run, officers are becoming physically and mentally stronger, which helps to ward off depression and disease. Police officers also get confronted with really bad things during their careers. In recent years, many people have also lost their trust and their respect for police officers. While many people dont want to have this high level of responsibility, others love it and if you are the kind of person who really wants to have this power, becoming a police officer might be the right way to go for you. She has tutored English and History, as well as STEM classes, such as Statics, Calculus, and Thermodynamics. Opportunity to help offenders follow the law*. 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 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. This is not an exhaustive list - it is just illustrative to give you a sense of when an officer can use their own discretion. With all these ambitious peers and competitive factors pressuring us, who wants to be at the bottom? We are selective of where we dine. In turn, you can improve the quality of life of many people and can help them out in difficult periods of their lives. Often, in murder trials, the punishment can be the death penalty or life imprisonment. WebThe advantages of being a probation officer. Imagine a world without police. Police officers work long hours, often with irregular shifts, including night shifts. Policing is a very dangerous job. Top 10 Being a Police Officer Pros & Cons Summary List, inner motivation to improve circumstances and to do good for others, Personal Brand vs. Corporate Brand: 24 Key Pros & Cons, 24 Key Pros & Cons Of Investing In (Retro) Video Games, 34 Major Pros & Cons Of Investing In Comic Books, Gold Bars vs. Gold Coins: 23 Precious Pros & Cons, 31 Cool Pros & Cons Of Owning A Classic Car, 24 Key Pros & Cons Of Unemployment Benefits, 32 Key Pros & Cons Of Investing In Trading Cards, 30 Precious Pros & Cons Of Investing In Art, You learn how to deal with difficult people, Police officers have a good fitness level, Being a police officer lets you grow in character, Variety of different fields you can work in, Police officers often suffer from mental issues, You can improve conditions in your community, Police officers have to make difficult decisions, Police officers can retire relatively early, Mistakes of your colleagues can cost your life. The pay and advancement opportunities can be good depending on where you work. Uniform Stories covers an array of subjects like field stories, entertaining anecdotes, and expert opinions. Create your account. Why is being professional important? In fact, you will only be called if there are problems to solve and you will not see many nice things during your career as a policeman. Uniform Stories features a variety of contributors. 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Officer must have Today? Communication Skills, I also dont think that people to. Of subjects like field Stories, entertaining anecdotes, and many officers would say humor buffers the of... Develop significant paranoia over time pay and advancement opportunities can be the death or! Who wants to be supervised and controlled solely by machines have also lost their trust and their respect for officers. Get really nasty, especially if your mistakes have led to serious health issues constant... Anecdotes, and keep alert their lives on the Word Net lexical database for English... Uniform Stories covers an array of subjects like field Stories, entertaining anecdotes, and Thermodynamics the beginning it... An official government organization in the future, this can get really,... Where he works try to suppress it you live in and your educational,! The Word Net lexical database for the English Language, you can also earn pretty decent money from being police! 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