You may also have to work quite long shifts as a policeman. 60,105 police officers were assaulted while performing their duties in 2020. These changes often come with company benefits. If you are thinking about becoming a police officer, you should first consider the many advantages and disadvantages of this profession. Thus, no job is the same and job descriptions may not completely fit your individual experiences. For example, many departments employ de-escalation tactics that aim to reduce use of force. In one study, officers with criminal justice degrees said their education helped them gain managerial skills. Many police officers are also not happy with their overall working environment. Those who truly love the work will go to extra lengths for others. Since you will have to resolve conflicts on a regular basis and also have many stressful days during your career, chances are that you will stay in shape. Discretion affords police officers autonomy and authority. As a police officer, you can also work in many different fields. Being a police officer can be incredibly rewarding. Problem-oriented policing is a proactive strategy to identify crime problems in communities. As we can see from the previous chapter, there are definitely many important advantages of working as a police officer. I admit, this can be annoying at the beginning. Some 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 opportunities for security officers, improved relationship with public police, and increased crime deterrence. Additionally, there are those who argue that the use of police discretion can potentially result in a violation of one's Fourth Amendment rights. Good since not many people want to do this job. Always remember that one wrong decision in this regard can also take away your own life. WebOne important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. 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. The phrase the thin blue line is often associated with the police. Furthermore, the use of discretion helps to foster police and judicial economy. Officer Bob receives a dispatch alert that there is a suspect on foot in the area who just held up a bank. 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. If someone was not competitive as a rookie, they probably will become so in time. Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. If you dont like your colleagues or your work environment at all, you can still be transferred to a different department where conditions will hopefully be much better. You always feel secure.. However, before you sign your contract, make sure you read this article since I show you all the pros and cons of being a police officer. Not only do we have individual interests, officers often influence each other and share in the fun. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. 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. Police enjoy a high status and reputation in society, since policing is a well-respected position. Policemen can support local neighborhoods. For instance, one problem with being a police officer is that the job can simply be quite dangerous. The strategy also calls for officers to analyze the underlying causes of crime, develop appropriate responses, and assess whether those responses are working. - Definition, Qualifications & Responsibilities, The Office for Victims of Crime: History, Role & Purpose, Discrimination within Police Departments: Law, Incidents & Impact, The Impact of State Prosecutors on Police Practices, The History & Impact of Policing in America, Jury Selection Process | Trial, Civil Cases & Litigation, The U.S. Court Systems & History | Overview & Purpose of the Dual-Court System. In fact, there are countless career opportunities out there and you should just choose the one that seems to be right for you. Under the Fourth Amendment, one has the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. While there are many benefits of becoming a police officer, there are also some issues related to it. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. 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. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2017, police and detectives earn a median annual salary of $62,960 or $30.27 per hour. In fact, it can even make you much stronger and overcoming our fears is crucial to really grow in character and to develop a more stable personality. This can be rather unclear in many situations and one mistake in this regard can even cost your life. Thus, becoming a police officer can also be a great career path for you if you love excitement and action on a regular basis. Webnational police and troopers association; Community. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. In the long run, this can lead to serious health issues since constant stress is just not good for us. 551 lessons. 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. Being a police officer assures financial security. You College also leads to more intercultural awareness. The Police Association notes that if officers are required to have a college degree, then the professions status will be enhanced through increasing educational standards. No day will be like the past one and you will always have to adjust your expectations. If the judge decides on life imprisonment, they can decide whether or not the convicted party will ever get the chance for parole, and after how many years they will be eligible for parole. We have come to an age where the public thinks the system and the police have a solution for their every problem. You will never know what happens during your shift and every operation could potentially be the last one for you. While some people will be rather cooperative, others will try to insult you or to bring you down whenever they can. 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. Many studies have shown that we are happier if we do good for others compared to just living in a purely egoistic manner. Of course, you should never become a police officer solely due to the fact that you would be able to retire early. In fact, most police officers are not replaceable with machines in the near future since the job as police officer just involves too much personal judgement to automize it. 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. Special District Police Agencies: Types & Roles, What Is a Guardian ad Litem? Discretion gives officers the flexibility to perform their job. It is a curse and a blessing. Some people may find this type of job exciting and like doing new tasks every day. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that it can also help you overcome your fears. 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. Many police officers are also not able to deal with the emotional burden that comes along with their job. During your career as a police officer, you will also learn quite a lot of patience. In fact, many people struggle with it since it destroys the natural sleeping rhythm. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). We often compete with our peers and families in outdoor games and sporting events. They protect the community or certain neighborhoods and work to reduce crime rates. Police work affords theopportunity for giving back both on duty and off. Consequently, your family and friends will likely also have an easier time in their daily lives in general. Hence, as a policeman, you will have a significant level of freedom regarding where and on what topics you want to work on. What makes us this way? WebAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Police Officers Working Without Uniform Intellectual stimulation One benefit of the detective career is the intellectual stimulation and Police discretion is an officer's freedom to make decisions on the job. Many police officers receive medical, vision and dental insurance. Officer Bob decides to intervene. 1. For instance, if a police officer erroneously decides to search someone's car, this may violate that person's. It also allows the police officer to quickly interpret the applicable statutory law and then act upon the determination. If you dont get any support from the right influential people, your chances of making it to the top will be almost zero. Research shows that, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints. 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. WebShare Cite. In addition to the personal satisfaction that you gain, you will receive a competitive salary as well as a number of other benefits. Police officers also have to make really difficult decisions. It enhances the status of the profession. As a police officer, you will also have to deal with many difficult family problems and you will generally see the worst of humanity. Many policemen also develop mental issues in the long run. They are also terminated less frequently for misconduct and less likely to use force. 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. Police officers are allowed to use their discretion, which grants them the freedom to make decisions as they perform their official duties. 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. They also get paid for family leave, sick leave, vacation and long-term disabilities. Regarding the use of force, officers whove graduated from college are almost 40% less likely to use force. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. In fact, attacks and insults towards police officers have increased quite a lot over the past years. 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. 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. You can also work in many different departments. Some police officers also grew up under rather poor conditions and urgently want to make a positive change for their community. So are The Conversations authors and editors. Between January 2021 and September 2021, 59 police officers in the United States were killed in the line of duty. Almost 90% said they had come to understand the community, which they believed would serve them in their criminal justice careers. Gabrielle Nicolet has been writing and editing professionally since 2004. Uniform Stories features a variety of contributors. He notices that the person is carrying a gun. Some exposures to police work change us for the better and others for the worse. For example, internships and service-learning opportunities in college provide future police officers a chance to develop civic engagement skills. 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. Police Corruption Examples, Types & History | What is Police Corruption? 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. 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. Use of force is defined as actions that range from verbal threats to use force to actually using force that could cause physical harm. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. 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. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. You will just have to live with the fact that your life could be over anytime. 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A lock ( Many of these are advantages for wellness and creativity. If you make mistakes, people may even sue you. Webhow is being a philanthropist different than putting $5 into a donation box? Conversely, the prosecutor can decide whether or not offer a plea bargain so that the defendant does not have to go to trial. If you have started your career as a police officer in your 20s, chances are that you will be eligible for retirement in your 50s in many states. It resonates at home with spouses and children. 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. There will also be the possibility that you have to work at nighttime as a police officer. Pro: Youre a hero! A 'thin blue line' also exists with police discretion. Additionally, one study found that police departments that required at least a two-year degree for officers had a lower rate of officers assaulted by civilians compared to departments that did not require college degrees. Along with the good, we get hit with the bad. Also if you think that police officers have a relaxed life, you should think twice. Comraderies among peers also deflect negative work thoughts. Chances are that there would be many more robberies and other unpleasant things. At the beginning of your career, you will likely be rather intimidated and insecure regarding how to handle difficult situations. 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. Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day As long as your kids are still small, they will not realize how dangerous your job really is. 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. Police work is rife with circumstantial stressors. 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. You may also be quite scared since you know that you will have to deal with armed people sooner or later. Police officers toe the thin blue line between lawfulness and illegal acts, due to their unique position in society. Due to the bad things and the difficult decisions they have to make during their shifts, many police officers also suffer from serious sleeping issues. 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advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer