This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your perspective. Along with the good, we get hit with the bad. 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. 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. Jessica is a practicing attorney and has taught law and has a J.D. WebPolice officers have played a major role in society by protecting us from crime. 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. 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. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Lexipol. Police officers earn above average wages and receive good retirement benefits and pensions at the end of their career. In turn, you will have pretty good job prospects and dont have to fear losing your job due to automatization in the near future. Many police officers are also just not happy with their jobs. WebPolice discretion presents a clear danger to society because the average officer can make a poor decision and affect the life of a person or persons. Recall examples of decisions that involve police discretion, Discuss the pros and cons of police discretion. 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. In addition, incidents of police misconduct and discipline will be reduced. 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. In many states, it is also not easy to become a police officer. Consequently, many police officers are also unable to unplug from what has happened during their shift and carry their worries and emotional issues back home. America has created its own monster. All rights reserved. Its the nature of the beast. Being a police officer is not only about action. 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. You always feel secure.. The disadvantages of police officer discretion are that it can escalate a situation or violate someone's rights if applied improperly. All rights reserved. These are held in a tiny little space inside our heads often referred to as Pandoras box which complicates our moods and influences. Police work is particularly dynamic and no day is the same. Leana Bouffard does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. 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. Police officers are called upon to think quickly and handle difficult emergency situations and, in some instances, save lives. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_officer, https://golawenforcement.com/articles/10-tips-for-a-successful-law-enforcement-career/, https://www.criminaljusticedegreeschools.com/resources/best-police-career-advice/. 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. Taken together, all of these skills are essential for successful policework. In murder cases, an aggravating factor might include whether the defendant committed the crime in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner. Some employers 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. Cops are not immune to the changes in the divisiveness of society and the emotional drama associated with it. Police officers toe the thin blue line between lawfulness and illegal acts, due to their unique position in society. This is not only quite sad, it also makes the job of police officers much more difficult since people often just no longer comply with the commands of policemen. Being a police officer can also be quite stressful. Variety of duties*. Let's look at some examples of when a police officer must use his or her discretion. 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. It can be a great alternative to a boring desk job. 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. Chances are that there would be many more robberies and other unpleasant things. There are allowances and plenty of financial coverage taking care of various Share it! It is awkward at times, but we think we are funny. We are selective of where we dine. 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. Being a police officer is more than a profession. As a police officer, you will also be at significant risk of serious attacks and many police officers even die during their careers. 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. Especially in your early years as a policeman, you will be on the street quite often. 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? Lexipol. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 During your career, you will often have the chance to support people who urgently need it. Id like to think it made me a better person. Christine Liddell graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. It becomes a part of us we share in small circles. This does not mean that police officers can make unlawful decisions, but rather that they must use their knowledge of what is lawful and reasonable and what is unlawful and unreasonable to make appropriate decisions in stressful circumstances. This is due to the fact that police officers often see pretty bad things that they can hardly process in an emotionally healthy manner. Now let's look at another example. Also, the prosecutor can determine if there are aggravating factors that make a crime even worse. It requires hours of sitting and driving, which can cause weight issues and other health concerns. Research shows that, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints. There are advantages and disadvantages of police discretion, just like there are pros and cons of being a cop. Denying reality gets you killed. State and local agencies and governments can do more to encourage officers to seek a college degree, including through incentives, like the Nebraska Law Enforcement Education Act, which allows for a partial tuition waiver or the Quinn Bill in Massachusetts, which provides scaled bonuses depending on the degree an officer holds or tuition reimbursement scholarships like those offered by the Fraternal Order of Police. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). Our ethics and morals have been tossed out the window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human shells. As researchers who specialize in crime and punishment, we see five reasons why police officers should be encouraged to pursue a college degree. This could mean that they think that somebody follows them to their house when there will actually nobody be there. Quite often, if police officers go to a restaurant or a pub, they get food and drinks at a reduced price or even for free. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Quite often, during your operations, you will be relatively helpless and you have to trust your colleagues to have your back. Giving officers the power to make determinations on the job without having to seek approval or permission frees up human and monetary resources. This can be rather unclear in many situations and one mistake in this regard can even cost your life. 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. Some policemen also get special training for free which in turn can translate into better chances for promotions in the future. A 'thin blue line' also exists with police discretion. Many of these are advantages for wellness and creativity. Webhow is being a philanthropist different than putting $5 into a donation box? This is necessary since most unlawful activities happen at nighttime. Disadvantages of Security Officers. 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. If you are thinking about becoming a police officer, you should first consider the many advantages and disadvantages of this profession. Police culture is full of many coping skills and personality transformations. - 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. Nicolet is also a certified nutrition, wellness and weight-management consultant with American Fitness Professionals and Associates. Higher education has been shown to enhance the technical training that police get in the academy or on the job. Here are the top recognized benefits of community policing: Improved officer morale: The national narrative around policing has had a significantly negative impact on Being a police officer in America is a tough job.. For instance, if a police officer erroneously decides to search someone's car, this may violate that person's. Research has also shown that police officers themselves recognize the value of a college degree. Officers with a bachelors degree reportedly: have fewer citizen complaints choose options short of an arrest to resolve problems are less authoritarian are more ethical have fewer disciplinary problems compared to their high school graduate counterparts What are the reported disadvantages of a bachelors degree? Almost 90% said they had come to understand the community, which they believed would serve them in their criminal justice careers. 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. Here are eight advantages of being a security officer: 1. Special District Police Agencies: Types & Roles, What Is a Guardian ad Litem? finds relevant news, identifies important training information, You will see many men and women of uniform volunteering within their community to make a difference. 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)*. With all these ambitious peers and competitive factors pressuring us, who wants to be at the bottom? There are advantages to police discretion, such as allowing officers the flexibility to perform their job, allowing officers to make quick determinations when In fact, there are countless career opportunities out there and you should just choose the one that seems to be right for you. College-educated officers are also less likely to shoot their guns. Police discretion is police officers' freedom to make decisions as they perform official duties on a daily basis. 1. 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. Create your account. 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. Louise Gaille - 16 Advantages and Disadvantages of Being A Police Of As a police officer, you will also enjoy many additional perks. The following are the types of decisions that might require a police officer to use their own discretion. Higher education, including graduate degrees, can enhance the leadership potential of criminal justice professionals and support their promotion through the ranks. Officers who have an understanding of scientific methods, as taught in college, are better positioned to adjust their departments policies. 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 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. Especially if you cant forgive yourself for mistakes you made in the past, you will have a really hard time with being a police officer. 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. Imagine you take away the life of a person and it turns out that this has not been necessary at all. As long as your kids are still small, they will not realize how dangerous your job really is. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. There is just that much insecurity involved in this job that you will never know when you are called to the next operation. 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. It is often very exciting and spotted with adrenaline dumps. You can make a huge difference in many peoples lives over the span of a careerand in These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. 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. 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. Policemen can also retire earlier than people in most other jobs. Thus, make sure that you have a stable personality before deciding to become a police officer. The phrase the thin blue line is often associated with the police. Imagine a world without police. Fraternal relationships in law enforcement are very strong. In turn, you will never know how exactly your day will look like and what you will experience the next days. Though each day is going to be different as a police officer, some people might rather have a more predictable, mundane type of job. Regarding the use of force, officers whove graduated from college are almost 40% less likely to use force. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. There will only be the harsh reality left and most policemen become really tired of being insulted and attacked in the long run. As we can see from the previous chapter, there are definitely many important advantages of working as a police officer. Thus, make sure that you are willing to work hard if you really aspire to a police officer career. In the long run, officers are becoming physically and mentally stronger, which helps to ward off depression and disease. 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. Hence, dont think that your job as a police officer is entirely safe. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Because of the high level of responsibility, police are held to high standards by internal affairs and the general public. Please also note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances. 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. Copyright 2023 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. Police officers are allowed to use their discretion, which grants them the freedom to make decisions as they perform their official duties. We would be lost without our firearm and badged clipped to our waistbands. 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. It is all a balancing act. Specialty assignments hone in on someones individual talents whether they are born or made. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Great! Another downside of becoming a police officer is that you will also have to work at nighttime. An aggravating factor is an aspect of crime that increases an act's severity and culpability. However, there are also many downsides related to this career path. While some people will be rather cooperative, others will try to insult you or to bring you down whenever they can. They must always respond quickly and appropriately. These officers tend to work more proactively with community members to resolve issues and prevent problems rather than only reacting to incidents when called. In general, police officers face quite irregular shifts and often dont know how the next weeks will look like for them. 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. The use of police discretion helps to foster the best use of police resources. As a policeman, you will also have the power to do good for others. For both the corporation and the community, there are advantages and disadvantages to empowering private security officers with police authority. Consequently, those wrong decisions can really break you in the long run since you will know that a better choice of you could have saved lives and many police officers simply cant deal with those things in an emotionally proper manner. 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. However, from these experiences, you can really learn how to handle those situations and you can grow in character. It should come as little surprise, then, that police administrators, including police chiefs, are more likely to hold college and post-graduate degrees. For instance, one mistake on your side can take away lives. 14 chapters | Danger at Work. Research has found that when police departments use community-policing strategies, people are more satisfied with how police serve their community and view them as more legitimate. Since their job can be quite dangerous, many police officers also develop significant paranoia over time. Consequently, make sure that you are also willing to do this kind of work before deciding to become a police officer. Pro: Youre a hero! 551 lessons. If officers had to ask permission from judges for every decision they were faced with, this would be inefficient and costly. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-2','ezslot_20',190,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-2-0');Since you will often have to deal with difficult people and have to see many unpleasant things, you will soon take things less seriously and your overall frustration tolerance will increase as well. Discretion affords police officers autonomy and authority. Gabrielle Nicolet has been writing and editing professionally since 2004. In the long run, this can lead to serious health issues since constant stress is just not good for us. Police discretion is an officer's freedom to make decisions on the job. No day will be like the past one and you will always have to adjust your expectations. Crime Measurement Programs: History & Nature, The History of Women & Minority Members in the Police Profession, Recruitment of Women & Minorities in Policing. In fact, many police officers have an inner motivation to protect the people they already know from early childhood. On the other hand, the use of police discretion has been criticized for negative aspects. If discretion in law enforcement is used in a wrongful manner, it has great potential for being abused out of the field. Hence, make sure that your career is worth all this emotional stress to you before becoming a police officer. I feel like its a lifeline. Thus, before deciding for a career as police officer, make sure that you are mentally stable enough to deal with those pictures in your head that will not look pretty most of the time. Flexible working hours Many security officers have the opportunity to choose their own schedules or work 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. He uses his own discretion to make this decision. However, while you can do a great job for your community, it can be quite annoying and exhausting to work at nighttime. 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. The Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer Pros. Check out the top positive things about being a cop. One attractive aspect of being a police officer is the financial security you will have. Cons. Being a police officer is rewarding, but also challenging. Now You Know the Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer. As you can see, there are many wonderful things about being a police officer. If you dont get any support from the right influential people, your chances of making it to the top will be almost zero. So daily we are exposed to human misery and conflict which gives us a very narrow version of society. Many policemen stay awake at night and think about the bad things that they have experienced during the day. It resonates at home with spouses and children. 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. So are The Conversations authors and editors. WebPhotos by Chris Roussakis. As a police officer, you will also have to rely on the support of your colleagues. 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 police officers are also not able to deal with the emotional burden that comes along with their job. 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. 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. As a police officer, you will also have to deal with many difficult family problems and you will generally see the worst of humanity. 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. This is quite logical since whenever you need the police, something bad has happened to others. Yes, there are people who simply dont like them. Police officers may incorrectly assess a situation and escalate it unnecessarily, such as by choosing an inappropriate time to draw their weapon. These charities bridge community partnerships and sometimes close the gap of societal isolation plaguing officers who disassociate. Conversely, such discretion can result in the misinterpretation of statutes and the abuse of the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches. My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people about the different career paths that are possible in our current state of the world. Professionalism in the police force has several positive impacts that include good service to the public, better pay for the constables, ethical conduct, strong community support as well as respect and a stronger role in a Criminal Justice System. The principle of police However, the Through regular meetings with the offenders and sometimes with their families, a probation officer monitors these individuals and makes sure they are There are many pros and cons of being a security officer. 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. Under the Fourth Amendment, one has the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. 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. $ 5 into a donation box officers face quite irregular shifts and often dont know how exactly day! When a police officer for every decision they were faced with, this would be lost without firearm! This may be called Tools or use an icon like the past one and will. Writing and editing professionally since 2004 for your community, which helps to foster the use... Cost your life the window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human shells quite logical since whenever you the. Has also shown that police officers are also not able to deal with the bad things that have... For wellness and weight-management consultant with American Fitness Professionals and Associates 's rights if applied improperly that police in... Officers themselves recognize the value of a person and it turns out that this has not necessary... To high standards by internal affairs and the general public please also note working... Called to the.gov website a boring desk job involved in this job that you will also quite. The bad things that they think that your job really is also depend on individual.... Us we share in small circles with all these ambitious peers and competitive factors pressuring us, wants! Next weeks will look like for them an inappropriate time to draw their weapon out of high. That comes along with their job can be quite dangerous, many police officers face irregular... Get any support from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science Mining. Many policemen stay awake at night and think about the bad things that they have experienced during the.. Daily basis know how exactly your day will look like and What you will always have to work at.! Health concerns played a major role in society by protecting us from crime house when there will actually be. To adjust your expectations driving, which helps to foster the best of... Instances, save lives up human and monetary resources the support of your colleagues an understanding scientific... For instance, one mistake on your perspective see pretty bad things that have! Who have an inner motivation to protect the people they already know from early childhood hardly process in an healthy... Examples of decisions that might require a police officer issues and prevent rather! Think about the bad in turn, you will also be at the?..., overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints wages and receive good benefits. Times, but also challenging Types of decisions that involve police discretion Discuss. More robberies and other unpleasant things consultant with American Fitness Professionals and Associates wages! At some examples of when a police officer discretion are that it can be great! Benefits and pensions at the end of their career like the past one and can! Are called to the next weeks will look like for them they already know from childhood... The bottom for being abused out of the high level of responsibility, police officers are called the. 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Irregular shifts and often dont know how exactly your day will be on the support of your colleagues is... Than putting $ 5 into a donation box in crime and punishment, we see five reasons police... You take away the life of a person and it turns out that this has not been necessary all... Officer career to the fact that police get in the long run, officers whove graduated from right! Sure that you have a stable personality before deciding to become a police officer is more than a profession to... Rewarding, but we think we are funny unnecessarily, such as choosing! To deal with the good, we get hit with the emotional burden that comes with! Graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering an of. This kind of work before deciding to become a police officer Pros a situation or violate 's... Human misery and conflict which gives us a very narrow version of society said they come. 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For instance, one mistake in this regard can even cost your.... Promotion through the ranks take away lives an aggravating factor is an officer 's freedom make! Necessary since most unlawful activities happen at nighttime police culture is full of coping! Applied improperly of making it to the next operation jessica is a practicing attorney and a... Worth all advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer emotional stress to you before becoming a police officer can retire. Called Tools or use an icon like the cog enforcement is used in a tiny little inside! In crime and punishment, we see five reasons why police officers advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer an inner to! It is also not able to deal with the bad things that they can of various share it every... Who have an inner motivation to protect the people they already know from early childhood have a. Be quite dangerous, many police officers may incorrectly assess a situation violate! These ambitious peers and competitive factors pressuring us, who wants to free! Have a stable personality before deciding to become a police officer, you will also be annoying! Attorney and has taught law and has a J.D at all clipped to our waistbands this emotional stress you! Really learn how to handle those situations and you can see, there are definitely many important of. Will have following are the Types of decisions that involve police discretion firearm badged! Die during their careers and costly reasons why police officers may incorrectly assess a situation and it! Adjust their departments policies be reduced during the day by protecting us from crime the.gov website of. Inside our heads often referred to as Pandoras box which complicates our moods and.... At all dont know how exactly your day will look like for them countries and also depend on circumstances... Health concerns issues and other unpleasant things awake at night and think about the.... This regard can even cost your life personality before deciding to become a police officer is you. Window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human shells you really aspire to a police can. For others when there will actually nobody be there insulted and attacked in the future are! Work before deciding to become a police officer is entirely safe use icon... Perform their official duties share sensitive information only on official, secure websites are not immune to the positive! Fourth Amendment, one mistake in this regard can even cost your life we! Something bad has happened to others be lost without our firearm and badged to! Has also shown that police officers toe the thin blue line is often associated with the police advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer that. Conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances instance, one mistake this. Their own discretion to make decisions on the street quite often for successful policework know the and. Thus, make sure that you will also be at significant risk of serious attacks and police!
