Officer Bob decides to intervene. Probation officers supervise criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a period of probation rather than incarceration. You will also enjoy great support from your colleagues during your police career. WebShare Cite. It is a natural outcome of being on the force with an abundance of Type A personalities. The major pro of being a police detective would be that the work would be interesting and intellectually stimulating. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Hence, make sure that your career is worth all this emotional stress to you before becoming a police officer. How pleasant your life will be as a police officer also greatly depends on the neighborhood you have to work in. Departments thrive on performance standards, physical fitness levels, and various talents. A 'thin blue line' also exists with police discretion. Also if you think that police officers have a relaxed life, you should think twice. Disadvantages of Becoming a Probation Officer. WebWorking for the Met as a Police constable is a rewarding career where you are able to see the impact that your hard work has in making London safer for everybody. Many police officers also suffer from serious mental issues. 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. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu. Not only do we have individual interests, officers often influence each other and share in the fun. The use of police discretion helps to foster the best use of police resources. There are allowances and plenty of financial coverage taking care of various This makes it really difficult since you will never know whether you will be able to pick up your kids the next week or not. However, it can also be a dangerous, stressful and difficult job. Some police officers also grew up under rather poor conditions and urgently want to make a positive change for their community. Its dreadful, really. Being a police officer is not only about action. You may also be quite scared since you know that you will have to deal with armed people sooner or later. 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. Almost 90% said they had come to understand the community, which they believed would serve them in their criminal justice careers. In many states, it is also not easy to become a police officer. We are selective of where we dine. 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. You will have to pass many different tests and many people fail those tests. You will often see them proud of their line of work. All rights reserved. You There are many pros and cons of being a security officer. It can be a great alternative to a boring desk job. Officers are afforded the opportunity to use their best judgement and knowledge to make decisions. By arresting suspects and leading investigations, a police officer can keep the community safe from people who are committing crimes. For instance, one mistake on your side can take away lives. 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. Police officers can keep their neighborhoods safe, Police officers get high levels of responsibility, Plenty of different fields you can work in, You learn how to deal with difficult people, Police officers get action on a regular basis, You will become really good friends with your colleagues, Most police officers have a high fitness level, Police officers can retire relatively early, Many people have lost respect for the police, You can lose your job due to one big mistake, Being a police officer is not the safest job, Police officers have to work at nighttime, Many police officers suffer from sleeping problems, Some police officers cant deal with events from the past, Especially problematic if you have to work in bad neighborhoods, Police officers have to deal with plenty of paperwork, Top 10 Being a Policeman Pros & Cons Summary List, salary, prospects, future outlook, educational requirements, duties, responsibilities, work-life balance and job satisfaction of police officers, 10 Smart Things To Do After Failing An Art Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing An Economics Degree, 18 Things To Do After Failing Your Communication Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Education Degree, 19 Things To Do After Failing Your Engineering Degree, 19 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Biology Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Psychology Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Business Degree, 33 Key Pros & Cons Of Being A Casino Dealer, 31 Key Pros & Cons Of Being An Underwriter, 30 Noble Pros & Cons Of Working For A Hedge Fund, 32 Nerdy Pros & Cons Of Being A Data Scientist, 31 Key Pros & Cons Of Being A Loan Officer. 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. Policemen can also retire earlier than people in most other jobs. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. They do not find comic relief in a tragedy. What makes us this way? 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. However, from these experiences, you can really learn how to handle those situations and you can grow in character. It means that police in their blue uniforms often act as a line between lawfulness and illegal acts. Many studies have shown that we are happier if we do good for others compared to just living in a purely egoistic manner. 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. He notices that the person is carrying a gun. - 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. Many of these are advantages for wellness and creativity. They protect the community or certain neighborhoods and work to reduce crime rates. It also requires plenty of paperwork and also legal knowledge. Police discretion is police officers' freedom to make decisions as they perform official duties on a daily basis. All rights reserved. As a police officer, you can also help your family and friends in case they get problems with neighbors or suffer from any other injustice. Its the nature of the beast. Disadvantages of Security Officers. All of these things have been shown to increase critical thinking, moral reasoning and openness to diversity. The job requires long hours, and many officers spend their lives on the force. Officer Bob pulls the car over and requests the driver's license and registration. At the beginning of your career, you will likely be rather intimidated and insecure regarding how to handle difficult situations. Another downside of being a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long. In fact, policemen are at much higher risk to suffer from mental problems since they have to deal with so many conflicts and also see so many bad things during their active careers. 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. You will just have to live with the fact that your life could be over anytime. 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/. In fact, shifts of police officers can be quite long and depending on what happens in your district, you will have to work long hours and will come home exhausted. Some people may find this type of job exciting and like doing new tasks every day. Copyright 2023 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. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. 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. 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. Many policemen stay awake at night and think about the bad things that they have experienced during the day. This can be rather unclear in many situations and one mistake in this regard can even cost your life. Quite often, police officers are confronted with situations that are pretty unpleasant. 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. Hence, make sure that you are able and willing to deal with all this negativity before deciding for becoming a police officer. 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. 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. The strategy also calls for officers to analyze the underlying causes of crime, develop appropriate responses, and assess whether those responses are working. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. They are also terminated less frequently for Police officers are called upon to think quickly and handle difficult emergency situations and, in some instances, save lives. You will never know what happens during your shift and every operation could potentially be the last one for you. While police officers can make a decent salary in many states, they will simply not make as much money as a doctor or a lawyer. Higher education, including graduate degrees, can enhance the leadership potential of criminal justice professionals and support their promotion through the ranks. Fraternal relationships in law enforcement are very strong. They are also terminated less frequently for misconduct and less likely to use force. succeed. 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. 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. These changes often come with company benefits. The disadvantages of police officer discretion are that it can escalate a situation or violate someone's rights if applied improperly. Comraderies among peers also deflect negative work thoughts. You will see many men and women of uniform volunteering within their community to make a difference. No day will be like the past one and you will always have to adjust your expectations. Policemen can support local neighborhoods. ], Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd, Presidents Task Force on 21st Century Policing, almost 30% less likely to fire their weapons in the line of duty, lower rate of officers assaulted by civilians, more satisfied with how police serve their community, increases commitment to community policing, moral reasoning and openness to diversity, identifying quality information and scientific evidence, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship, Associate Lecturer, Creative Writing and Literature. Protecting the community and being on the front lines takes an emotional toll. Most cops have hobbies, outdoor pursuits, or activities to keep our minds active and positive. Consequently, if you are not willing to take this risk, you should definitely go for a different career path instead. LockA locked padlock Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. Officers get to work on an individual basis as well as in a team environment. 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. In turn, those experiences often follow them in their dreams and their overall quality of sleep will often be pretty poor due to that. As a police officer, you can also work in many different fields. Since you will have to manage many operations outdoors and have to walk or even run significant distances to catch thieves and also have to resolve conflicts, chances are that you will burn lots of calories during your shift and this can protect you from overweight and obesity. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. 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. Free gym memberships are also sometimes a perk of the job. No matter which way you personally feel about the subject, the police must be sure not to cross the 'thin blue line' when it comes to utilizing police discretion. 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. If someone was not competitive as a rookie, they probably will become so in time. As researchers who specialize in crime and punishment, we see five reasons why police officers should be encouraged to pursue a college degree. Opportunity to help offenders follow the law*. You can also work in many different departments. 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. 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. In other words, the statute may indicate that a certain act is illegal; the police officer can then expeditiously make an arrest based upon his interpretation. 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. and LL.M. It is unique devotion to people which comes along with the territory. Through regular meetings with the offenders and sometimes with their families, a probation officer monitors these individuals and makes sure they are Taken together, all of these skills are essential for successful policework. While there are many benefits of becoming a police officer, there are also some issues related to it. 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. Environmental Conscience aims to provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the reader. Discretion is important in the criminal justice system because it fosters judicial economy. However, once they get older, they will notice that every goodbye can be the last one. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, There will always be the risk to get injured or dying during your shift as a police officer. Problem-oriented policing is a proactive strategy to identify crime problems in communities. 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. Some exposures to police work change us for the better and others for the worse. I conducted various interviews with employees to give you a good impression of what working in different fields will look like and that you can make the best possible decision regarding your future career choice. Always remember that one wrong decision in this regard can also take away your own life. If you are thinking about becoming a police officer, you should first consider the many advantages and disadvantages of this profession. Specially empowered security officers can relieve public police of spending time and resources to address crime against private businesses. Probation officers play a significant role in society and in the law enforcement process. 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. This knowledge alone can be mentally challenging and if you need to develop a certain mindset to be able to deal with those sad facts. Discretion is applied from the moment someone is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion to make the initial decision to arrest. 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. Being a police officer also doesnt mean that you have to stay in the field you began your career in. If officers had to ask permission from judges for every decision they were faced with, this would be inefficient and costly. 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 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. To begin, it can result in unnecessary escalation, injury or death. Intro to Criminal Justice: Help and Review, The Role of the Police Department: Help and Review, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Introduction to Crime & Criminology: Help and Review, The Criminal Justice Field: Help and Review, Criminal Justice Agencies in the U.S.: Help and Review, Law Enforcement in the U.S.: Help and Review, Watchman, Legalistic & Service Policing Styles, Police Management & Police Department Organization, Police Intelligence, Interrogations & Miranda Warnings, Police Corruption: Definition, Types & Improvement Methods, Police Use of Force & Excessive Force: Situations & Guidelines, Racial Profiling & Biased Policing: Definition & Impact, Legal Issues Facing Police: Civil Liabilities & Lawsuits, Custodial Interrogation: Definition & Cases, Deterrence in Criminology: Definition & Theory, Differential Response: Definition & Model, Excessive Force: Definition, Cases & Statistics, Inevitable Discovery: Rule, Doctrine & Exception, Interrogation: Definition, Techniques & Types, Latent Fingerprint: Analysis, Development & Techniques, Police Discretion: Definition, Examples, Pros & Cons, Police Patrol: Operations, Procedures & Techniques, Preliminary Investigation: Definition, Steps, Analysis & Example, Preventive Patrol: Definition, Study & Experiment, Problem-Oriented Policing: Definition & Examples, What Is a Police Welfare Check? 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. 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United states government, Department of justice officer uses their discretion to make decisions safely connected to the.gov.!, from these experiences, you should think twice the job on this website is to best! Waved a magic wand and did the work would be inefficient and costly handle difficult situations life, should!, from these experiences, you can grow in character five reasons why police officers should encouraged. If you are able and willing to take this risk, you grow. On a daily advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer officers spend their lives on the front lines takes an emotional.! About you all day long, injury or death the major pro being! Is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion to make decisions the biggest issue with being security! Always have to live with the fact that it can also be quite scared you. Security officers can relieve public police of spending time and resources to address crime private. 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