Cops are not immune to the changes in the divisiveness of society and the emotional drama associated with it. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, With all these ambitious peers and competitive factors pressuring us, who wants to be at the bottom? A critical step in knowing whether an approach is achieving its intended goal is evaluating its impact. 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. Research has also shown that police officers themselves recognize the value of a college degree. Why is being professional important? Policemen also learn how to deal with difficult people early on in their careers. Many police officers also suffer from serious mental issues. There are also plenty of career opportunities you can pursue as a police officer. In fact, you will have to decide when it will be appropriate to use your gun and when there will be no need for it. Police work is rife with circumstantial stressors. You will often see them proud of their line of work. Thus, make sure that you have a stable personality before deciding to become a police officer. Educated law enforcement professionals will be better equipped to lead much-needed reform efforts. Taken together, all of these skills are essential for successful policework. There are various reasons why the use of police discretion is a positive aspect of a police officer's position. 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. 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. Official websites use .gov The pay and advancement opportunities can be good depending on where you work. Another downside of becoming a police officer is that you will also have to work at nighttime. In Texas, a police officer was fired, charged with murder, and sentenced to a $10,000 fine and 15 years in prison after body-worn camera footage contradicted his initial statement in the Apr. and LL.M. For example, many departments employ de-escalation tactics that aim to reduce use of force. 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. As we can see from the previous chapter, there are definitely many important advantages of working as a police officer. Comraderies among peers also deflect negative work thoughts. 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. Once the jury uses their discretion to render a verdict, the judge may use their discretion in sentencing. 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. From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet. Environmental Conscience aims to provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the reader. This also means that you have to interact with the general public on a daily basis and you will also be the one who has to solve conflicts. Specialty assignments hone in on someones individual talents whether they are born or made. Good since not many people want to do this job. interacts online and researches product purchases Discretion gives officers the flexibility to perform their job. You will also enjoy great support from your colleagues during your police career. 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. Danger at Work. If you dont get any support from the right influential people, your chances of making it to the top will be almost zero. They must always respond quickly and appropriately. It's not a lame assignment or a job for a cop looking for a cushy job This is quite sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look like. Another downside of being a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long. While there are many benefits of becoming a police officer, there are also some issues related to it. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. Its the nature of the beast. It is a natural outcome of being on the force with an abundance of Type A personalities. In fact, while many other jobs will be automized and will be carried out by machines in the near future, policemen are not that replaceable since there is plenty of individuality and discretion in each case and police officers have to make decisions depending on many different variables and circumstances. A high fitness level is not only crucial to stay healthy in the long run, it can also help you in the dating market and makes your life easier in various other aspects. 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. 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. 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. You may also be quite scared since you know that you will have to deal with armed people sooner or later. Less likely to use violence. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OOH: Police and Detectives, Police One: The Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer. Because police officers are in constant danger, we are also overly suspicious of everything and everyone. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University. Thus, becoming a police officer can also be a great career path for you if you love excitement and action on a regular basis. Police discretion, however, has been criticized because it may result in the incorrect application of certain statutes and thereby violate someone's rights, such as their right to not be subjected to unlawful search and seizure as defined by the Fourth Amendment. WebPolice officers have played a major role in society by protecting us from crime. These are held in a tiny little space inside our heads often referred to as Pandoras box which complicates our moods and influences. Following several deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order on June 16 that calls for increased training and credentialing to reduce the use of excessive force by police. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Police officers are often misinterpreted when our antics are overheard in public. College also leads to more intercultural awareness. Hence, if you want to become wealthy or even rich, a career as police officer will not be the way to go for you most of the time. 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 Police officers have to rely on each other to make their operations as safe as possible. Through regular meetings with the offenders and sometimes with their families, a probation officer monitors these individuals and makes sure they are In turn, you will have pretty good job prospects and dont have to fear losing your job due to automatization in the near future. Our fuses and energy become shortwith sleep deprivation, long shift hours, societal isolation, and continued exposure to negative human elements. Police body cameras provide visual and audio evidence that can independently verify events. 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. 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. Also make sure to check out the following articles: Advantages and disadvantages of becoming a dentist, Advantages and disadvantages of becoming an actor, https://golawenforcement.com/articles/tips-for-going-into-law-enforcement/, https://www.how2become.com/blog/5-tips-to-pass-the-police-officer-selection-process/. One important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. 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. Police discretion is an officer's freedom to make decisions on the job. Conversely, the prosecutor can decide whether or not offer a plea bargain so that the defendant does not have to go to trial. Policing is a very dangerous job. The more ambitious you are, the more people you can help and this can give you a feeling of having a purpose in life. Now that you know all the pros and cons of being a police officer, it is on you to decide whether you still want to become a policeman or if you want to go for an alternative career path instead. However, once they get older, they will notice that every goodbye can be the last one. - 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. 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. Being a police officer in America is a tough job.. These changes often come with company benefits. 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. An example of police discretion is when a car gets pulled over for speeding. Police officers get to see the impact their profession makes and feel as though they are making a difference, such as when they rescue someone. Thus, if you have those ambitions, make sure that you connect to the right people and do your job extraordinarily well. Some policemen also get special training for free which in turn can translate into better chances for promotions in the future. WebPhotos by Chris Roussakis. Police officers keep our streets safe and resolve conflicts between people on a daily basis. You still want to become a police officer? Recall examples of decisions that involve police discretion, Discuss the pros and cons of police discretion. In recent years, many people have also lost their trust and their respect for police officers. WebOne important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. These charities bridge community partnerships and sometimes close the gap of societal isolation plaguing officers who disassociate. For both the corporation and the community, there are advantages and disadvantages to empowering private security officers with police authority. Free gym memberships are also sometimes a perk of the job. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. Research shows that, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints. 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. 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. 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. 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. A police officer can also impact the area they serve as a whole. Discretion in criminal justice is present at all levels of the system and in its bureaucracies. We often compete with our peers and families in outdoor games and sporting events. Quite often, you will also spend your leisure together and some police officers even spend plenty of time together after they retire. In fact, there will be almost no day without any insults or complaints that you have to deal with as a police officer. 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. Wanna make a contribution to save our environment? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_18',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');While many other jobs can be automized in the near future and many people will lose their jobs due to that, this will not be true for police officers. The various decisions that different participants in the legal system are allowed to make shows what forms discretion takes in criminal justice. 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. $55,000 per year on average, ranging from $45,000 to $75,000 per year. However, the majority of the general public is still thankful for the help and security police officers ensure on our streets. While your job will be relatively easy in good neighborhoods, it can be a nightmare in bad neighborhoods where people just dont respect you at all. If the defendant does have to stand trial, juries hear the case and use their discretion when deciding whether or not the defendant is innocent or guilty. One Grade 9 student said that the presence of police officers made the high school feel safer than other schools. 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. It also allows the police officer to quickly interpret the applicable statutory law and then act upon the determination. Since enough sleep is crucial for our body and our brain to work properly, sleep deprivation can lead to many serious health issues and also significantly decreases overall quality of life. 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. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that you will also stay quite fit during your active career. In fact, your colleagues will become your second family since you simply spend so much time with them. Many organizations allow workouts on duty and participate in dietetic and nutritional training for their employees. Officers get to work on an individual basis as well as in a team environment. Hence, dont think that your job as a police officer is entirely safe. Our ethics and morals have been tossed out the window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human shells. Additionally, there are those who argue that the use of police discretion can potentially result in a violation of one's Fourth Amendment rights. 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? See disclaimer. Probation officers play a significant role in society and in the law enforcement process. Gaylene Armstrong receives funding from various state and federal granting agencies in support of criminal justice research. The advantages of police discretion are that it makes the position more flexible, allows for quick interpretation and action, and fosters judicial economy. 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. Chances are that there would be many more robberies and other unpleasant things. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. Some police officers also grew up under rather poor conditions and urgently want to make a positive change for their community. 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. 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. 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. 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. Being a police officer also includes writing police reports and doing other paperwork, so it may not be a source of constant thrills. If anything does go bad, they are here, a Grade 9. 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. An error occurred trying to load this video. Being a police officer also implies making difficult decisions. Some people may enjoy the commitment and camaraderie, but others may seek a change in career after a few years. Between January 2021 and September 2021, 59 police officers in the United States were killed in the line of duty. Many of these are advantages for wellness and creativity. It resonates at home with spouses and children. Being a police officer is not only about action. Some disadvantages of empowering private police with full police authority are the attraction which such authority holds for many undesirable candidates, the risk of increasing unnecessary arrests, limited constitutional restraints on private security employees compared to public police, the increased liability of government entities for actions of private security officers they have licensed, the risk of inequitable enforcement, and expanded administrative responsibilities for municipal governments licensing private police. There are advantages and disadvantages of police discretion, just like there are pros and cons of being a cop. Consequently, your family and friends will likely also have an easier time in their daily lives in general. Here are the top recognized benefits of community policing: Improved officer morale: The national narrative around policing has had a significantly negative impact on As a police officer, you will also have to rely on the support of your colleagues. While you will not get rich in most cases, you will still be able to provide a decent life for you and your family. Similarly, researchers have found that officers with at least a two-year degree were 40% less likely to lose their jobs due to misconduct. There are allowances and plenty of financial coverage taking care of various You should really be convinced about it and should take your mission quite seriously. Always remember that one wrong decision in this regard can also take away your own life. 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. This will also be quite hard for yourself since you will never know whether you will see your kids again or not. 39 Pros & Cons Of Being A Police Officer. Hence, make sure that you are able and willing to deal with all this negativity before deciding for becoming a police 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 many states, it is also not easy to become a police officer. Police officers have a duty to serve and protect their communities, but some officers may be discouraged by the fact that crimes will continue to be committed no matter what. This could mean that they think that somebody follows them to their house when there will actually nobody be there. Pro: Youre a hero! For instance, one problem with being a police officer is that the job can simply be quite dangerous. Imagine that Officer Bob is on patrol in an area known for drug trafficking. Police1 is revolutionizing the way the law enforcement community Colleges and universities can help officers acquire the skills needed to help to reestablish trust between our communities and those who are sworn to protect and serve. Uniform Stories covers an array of subjects like field stories, entertaining anecdotes, and expert opinions. In turn, those experiences often follow them in their dreams and their overall quality of sleep will often be pretty poor due to that. 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Probation officers supervise criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a period of probation rather than incarceration. Research shows that, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints. During your career as a police officer, you will also learn quite a lot of patience. Police culture is full of many coping skills and personality transformations. In general lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high the force with an abundance of Type personalities. Inside our heads often referred to as Pandoras box which complicates our and... Body cameras provide visual and audio evidence that can independently verify events an easier time their. 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