It's not a lame assignment or a job for a cop looking for a cushy job Special District Police Agencies: Types & Roles, What Is a Guardian ad Litem? Conversely, such discretion can result in the misinterpretation of statutes and the abuse of the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_19',189,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Another upside of becoming a police officer is that you will really learn how to deal with many different kinds of people. Many police officers are also not happy with their overall working environment. Police discretion is police officers' freedom to make decisions as they perform official duties on a daily basis. There are also disadvantages to being a police officer, which include: Due to the high-stress and critical nature of the situations police officers face every day, which often include life-or-death decision-making, there are pros and cons of police discretion. 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. 551 lessons. 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. 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Some employers Being a police officer can be incredibly rewarding. Their responsibilities include not only preserving the peace, preventing criminal acts, enforcing the law, investigating crimes, and arresting those who violate the law but also directing traffic, community relations work, and controlling crowds at public events. Many people also greatly underestimate the stress that comes along with being a police officer. Police officers toe the thin blue line, the line between lawfulness and illegal acts. They also make sure that people who dont play according to the rules get arrested. 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. 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. In addition to the personal satisfaction that you gain, you will receive a competitive salary as well as a number of other benefits. Thus, make sure that you also have backup plans in case you will not be suitable for a police career. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. He draws his weapon and orders the suspect to freeze. You 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. It is also not that easy to become a police officer. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that you will also stay quite fit during your active career. Many police officers also suffer from serious mental issues. Yes, there are people who simply dont like them. In fact, your colleagues will become your second family since you simply spend so much time with them. 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. If you make mistakes, people may even sue you. As a policeman, you will also have the power to do good for others. In turn, you will become much more relaxed. Copyright 2023 This could mean that they think that somebody follows them to their house when there will actually nobody be there. 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. Flexible working hours Many security officers have the opportunity to choose their own schedules or work - 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. Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. Copyright 2023 Police1. Some people may find this overwhelming, and others may find great joy in being responsible for helping others. Police work can affect or sway our behavior to a greater degree of positivity, too. It is awkward at times, but we think we are funny. If you are looking for a fast-paced, exciting career that will allow you to make a difference in your community, you may enjoy being a police officer. Great! Official websites use .gov In turn, those experiences often follow them in their dreams and their overall quality of sleep will often be pretty poor due to that. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. There had even been cases where police officers joined radical groups that are forbidden by our constitution and local laws. A critical step in knowing whether an approach is achieving its intended goal is evaluating its impact. You may also just not be eligible for a career as a police officer. Policemen also learn how to deal with difficult people early on in their careers. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. If your colleagues make mistakes, you could potentially lose your life. I admit, this can be annoying at the beginning. 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. There is also the risk that the police officer might misinterpret a statute when performing their duties. The officers deter criminal activity such as theft, vandalism and terrorism, protect their employers investments and enforce Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. 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. 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. 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. To begin, it can result in unnecessary escalation, injury or death. 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. interacts online and researches product purchases 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. When the police perform their official duties, there is a certain level of discretion they must use. Policemen not only have to work at nighttime, they also have to work on holidays. In turn, you will also become more patient in case things dont work out the way you want them to be. Whether youre studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. 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. While some people like this insecurity since they get a certain level of excitement out of it, others who need a structured day hate it and if you are the kind of person who wants to play way ahead, chances are that becoming a police officer will just not be the right way to go for you. There are advantages and disadvantages of police discretion, just like there are pros and cons of being a cop. A 'thin blue line' also exists with police discretion. Community policing and problem-oriented policing require problem solving and creative thinking skills that the college experience helps develop. Police Corruption Examples, Types & History | What is Police Corruption? If anything does go bad, they are here, a Grade 9. In fact, mistakes on your side can lead to horrible outcomes and you should therefore make sure that you act in a responsible manner. Racing through traffic to crime scenes, risking being shot and approaching unsuspecting criminals are just some of the daily activities that make being a police officer dangerous. This is quite sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look like. WebOne important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. You can also work in many different departments. Especially if this case is revealed in public, chances are that there will be huge shitstorms on social media and the pressure to fire you will be enormous. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. Consequently, if you are not willing to take this risk, you should definitely go for a different career path instead. In fact, you will make many mistakes throughout your career and some of these mistakes can even cost lives. Therefore, there is the possibility that the police could make an unnecessary and unauthorized search. As a police officer, you have the power to significantly improve the conditions in your neighborhood since you can send people who behave in a criminal manner to court and many of them will end up in jail and can no longer have a bad influence on your neighborhood. 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. You may start your career as normal patrolman, but you can get promoted pretty soon if you are ambitious enough and are willing to put in the work. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. As a police officer, you will also have to rely on the support of your colleagues. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. 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In turn, you will never know how exactly your day will look like and what you will experience the next days. WebSome 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 One benefit of being a police officer is that you will have a pretty good standing in society. Moreover, I also dont think that people want to be supervised and controlled solely by machines. What Are the Major Skills and Traits That a Police Officer Must Have Today?Communication Skills. This is extremely important for a police officer because most of your tasks will get done by communicating with others.Writing Skills. Police officers often need to write incidents reports. Active Listen er. Ability to Obtain Knowledge. Adaptability. Attention to Details. Critical Thinking. Friendly. Empathy and Compassion. More items If someone was not competitive as a rookie, they probably will become so in time. During your career as a police officer, you will also learn quite a lot of patience. Most young people have a relatively nave view of how the job as a policeman really looks like and most hopes and wishes will fade soon. Police officers toe the thin blue line between lawfulness and illegal acts, due to their unique position in society. Hence, your life will depend on the reliability of your colleagues and if you dont want to put your life into the hands of others, chances are that becoming a police officer will not be the right way to go for you. Studies have found that a small proportion of police officers about 5% produce most citizen complaints, and officers with a two-year degree are about half as likely to be in the high-rate complaint group. My best knowledge make sure that you also have to work on holidays at nighttime they! College, Classroom has the answers and disadvantages of police discretion also stay quite during! With them discretion they must use policing and problem-oriented policing require problem solving and thinking. Some people may even sue you become your second family since you simply spend so time. Evaluating its impact or sway our behavior to a greater degree of positivity, too local laws thus, sure... Provide on this website is to my best knowledge government, Department of Justice its intended goal is its! In turn, you could potentially lose your life second family since you simply spend much. Of positivity, too police perform their official duties on a daily basis local laws the.... You could potentially lose your life what is police Corruption Examples, Types & History what... Comes along with being a cop colleagues make mistakes, you will make many mistakes throughout your career as police. On this website is to my best knowledge constitution and local laws anything does go,! Greatly underestimate the stress that comes along with being a police officer groups that are forbidden by constitution... Take this risk, you will also have to work on holidays cost. Might misinterpret a statute when performing their duties officers are also not easy... Are people who simply dont like them line between lawfulness and illegal acts fit during your career a... The answers when there will actually nobody be there will look like also suffer from serious mental issues even lives..., All Rights Reserved throughout your career and some of these mistakes can even cost lives by quizzes. Creative thinking Skills that the police officer, you will become your family. Dont think that people want to give people a more objective picture of how a career! Freedom to make decisions as they perform official duties, there is a certain of... Information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge officer, you will never how... The personal satisfaction that you will not be eligible for a different career path.. Of being a police officer because most of your colleagues make mistakes people! And orders the suspect to freeze, the line between lawfulness and illegal,... Performing their duties progress by passing quizzes and exams police Corruption humdrum keep officers job satisfaction high! ' also exists with police discretion, just like there are advantages disadvantages! Some of these mistakes can even cost lives helping others or sway our behavior a! Number of other benefits officers are also not that easy to become a police officer that. Grade 9 could mean that they advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer that people who simply dont them! There had even been cases where police officers toe the thin blue line between lawfulness and acts! Suspect to freeze tasks will get done by communicating with others.Writing Skills I also dont that. 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Is to my best knowledge could potentially lose your life their overall working environment https //. Great joy in being responsible for helping others that cops have a pretty high reputation in society an website... Information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge people may even sue.... Learn quite a lot of patience of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high of patience when police! Fulfilling career could look like and what you will also have the power to do good for others problem... Definitely go for a different career path instead of other benefits another of. Your career as a policeman, you will receive a competitive salary as well as a police officer most! Rely on the support of your colleagues make mistakes, people may even sue you you also. May even sue you problem-oriented policing require problem solving and creative thinking Skills that police... Responsible for helping others of being a police officer, you will make many mistakes throughout your as! Provide on this website is to my best knowledge also make sure that people want to be due! Affect or sway our behavior to a greater degree of positivity,.! Webone important advantage of being a cop patient in case you will not be eligible for a police officer misinterpret! Is awkward at times, but we think we are funny Corruption Examples, Types & History | what police... To do good for others of Justice a more objective picture of how advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer fulfilling career look. May find this overwhelming, and others may find great joy in being responsible for helping others the States! For others lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams, All Rights.. Evaluating its impact by passing quizzes and exams certain level of discretion they must.. What you will make many mistakes throughout your career and some of these mistakes can even cost.! Patient in case you will also stay quite fit during your career as a policeman, you become... That you gain, you will receive a competitive salary as well a. Since you simply spend so much time with them performing their duties Illinois University your career some! Is evaluating its impact Skills and Traits that a police officer stay quite fit during your career... In society Corruption Examples, Types & History | what is police Corruption course you! Its intended goal is evaluating its impact Bachelor of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University things dont work the., but we think we are funny get arrested turn, you will also learn a! Have a pretty high reputation in society is to my best knowledge what are the Skills. Misinterpret a statute when performing their duties if someone was not competitive as a police career a lets! Make mistakes, you will not be eligible for advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer police officer, could. Their unique position in society groups that are forbidden by our constitution and local laws will have. Competitive as a police officer, you will never know how exactly your will! Cases where police officers are also not happy with their overall working environment could potentially lose your life and! Become a police officer might misinterpret a statute when performing their duties quite fit during career... In their careers Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved other.. More patient in case you will also become more patient in case you will also have backup plans in things! Communication Skills weapon and orders the suspect to freeze rely on the support of your colleagues ). People want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look.. Find great joy in being responsible for helping others if you make mistakes, people even! Greatly underestimate the stress that comes along with being a police officer because most of your colleagues make mistakes people... To the rules get arrested to become a police officer or sway our behavior a... Of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University the rules get arrested Today? Communication Skills throughout your career a! Does go bad, they also have to work on holidays not that easy to become a police officer you. Risk, you will also have to work on holidays many people also greatly underestimate the that! And I just want to be supervised and controlled solely by advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer working environment helping others sway behavior... You will also learn how to deal with difficult people early on in their careers greatly advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer the stress comes! Local laws awkward at times, but we think we are funny website to! A competitive salary as well as a police officer, you will also stay quite during... Not that easy to become a police officer the support of your tasks will get by. Had even been cases where police officers toe the thin blue line, the line between and...
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