This could mean that you will not be able to celebrate Christmas or other important holidays with your family and your kids will be quite sad and may even resent you for that in the long run. 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. 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. The following are the types of decisions that might require a police officer to use their own discretion. In fact, teamwork is key during your operations and if you have colleagues that dont have your back, you may even lose your life due to that. Police work is rife with circumstantial stressors. This is quite sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look like. Our ethics and morals have been tossed out the window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human shells. Discretion is applied from the moment someone is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion to make the initial decision to arrest. However, Ive quit pretty soon after that since I havent found true meaning in my job. 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. Cops are not immune to the changes in the divisiveness of society and the emotional drama associated with it. The strategy also calls for officers to analyze the underlying causes of crime, develop appropriate responses, and assess whether those responses are working. 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. Some employers Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. All rights reserved. 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. 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. It's not a lame assignment or a job for a cop looking for a cushy job To begin, it can result in unnecessary escalation, injury or death. 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. This can be quite problematic since police officers may attack uninvolved residents due to their paranoia. Officers who have an understanding of scientific methods, as taught in college, are better positioned to adjust their departments policies. 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. 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 Thus, every goodbye will sound strange and will have a sad implication of what might happen sooner or later. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Now let's look at another example. succeed. However, some police officers quit their jobs after a while due to the dangers they no longer want to be exposed to. - 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. Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day they go to work, police officers are risking their lives. Proactive Policing Strategies & Examples | What is Proactive Policing? 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. Many police officers are also not able to deal with the emotional burden that comes along with their job. It becomes a part of us we share in small circles. 14 chapters | With this knowledge, it can be pretty hard to make rational decisions and you may even have to take away the lives of people on some occasions to protect yourself. Police officers also get confronted with really bad things during their careers. 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. If officers had to ask permission from judges for every decision they were faced with, this would be inefficient and costly. Although juries do have instructions, it is ultimately up to all twelve individuals to use their discretion when hearing a case and evaluating the facts. Acting as an intermediary between law and chaos can be stressful, and means that there are many pros and cons of being a cop. Gaylene Armstrong receives funding from various state and federal granting agencies in support of criminal justice research. 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 If you dont like your colleagues or your work environment at all, you can still be transferred to a different department where conditions will hopefully be much better. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that you will also stay quite fit during your active career. A critical step in knowing whether an approach is achieving its intended goal is evaluating its impact. 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. If you make mistakes, you may also get fired. Many police officers also suffer from serious mental issues. An example of police discretion is when a car gets pulled over for speeding. Police officers work long hours, often with irregular shifts, including night shifts. 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. WebThe advantages of being a probation officer. Officer Bob observes that the driver has no record of any kind; therefore, it is up to Officer Bob's discretion as to whether to give the driver a ticket for driving without lights on during a rainstorm. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that it can also help you overcome your fears. Being fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only wise, but it is crucial for an officers physical and mental states. Another problem with being a police officer is that you can also lose your job due to only one big mistake. 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. Of course, to succeed in this regard, you also have to build a strong network over time. Being a police officer in America is a tough job.. Many people also greatly underestimate the stress that comes along with being a police officer. However, it can also be a dangerous, stressful and difficult job. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. As a police officer, you will also enjoy many additional perks. Some policemen also get special training for free which in turn can translate into better chances for promotions in the future. Variety of duties*. Most police officers get paid to work overtime, and many receive hefty pensions when they retire. If you make mistakes, people may even sue you. After finishing university, I traveled around the world. One important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. Juvenile Justice System & Law | The Rights of Juvenile Offenders, Critical Issues Facing Women & Minority Police Officers, Use of Force Continuum | Use of Force Models & Examples, Ethics, Discretion & Professionalism in Policing. College also leads to more intercultural awareness. While some people will be rather cooperative, others will try to insult you or to bring you down whenever they can. Police officers toe the thin blue line, the line between lawfulness and illegal acts. 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. 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. Official websites use .gov In fact, you will make many mistakes throughout your career and some of these mistakes can even cost lives. Between January 2021 and September 2021, 59 police officers in the United States were killed in the line of duty. Create your account. 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. 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. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. Hence, you can make really strong bonds during your career as a police officer and can even make friends for a lifetime. 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. 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. In turn, many officers are simply not able to process those experiences in an emotionally healthy manner and will suffer from mental problems like depression later on in their lives. You will just have to live with the fact that your life could be over anytime. No day will be like the past one and you will always have to adjust your expectations. There will only be the harsh reality left and most policemen become really tired of being insulted and attacked in the long run. In fact, this can get really nasty, especially if your mistakes have led to serious adverse outcomes. Probation officers supervise criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a period of probation rather than incarceration. Territories Financial Support Center (TFSC), Tribal Financial Management Center (TFMC). 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. 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. Of course, you should never become a police officer solely due to the fact that you would be able to retire early. Police officers may face disciplinary action for making the wrong decision. It also requires plenty of paperwork and also legal knowledge. 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. Jessica is a practicing attorney and has taught law and has a J.D. One benefit of being a police officer is that you will have a pretty good standing in society. 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. Some people may find this type of job exciting and like doing new tasks every day. Discretion in criminal justice is present at all levels of the system and in its bureaucracies. Webadvantages and disadvantages of scatter graphs advantages and disadvantages of scatter graphs Imagine a world without police. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In turn, those experiences often follow them in their dreams and their overall quality of sleep will often be pretty poor due to that. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-banner-1','ezslot_15',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-banner-1-0');Another benefit of being a police officer is that you will also stay fit. 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, there is plenty of hate around on the streets and you will no longer experience the level of respect previous police officer generations got from the general public. Officer Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot. All rights reserved. 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. Thus, becoming a police officer can also be a great career path for you if you love excitement and action on a regular basis. For example, internships and service-learning opportunities in college provide future police officers a chance to develop civic engagement skills. Police body cameras provide visual and audio evidence that can independently verify events. This is not an exhaustive list - it is just illustrative to give you a sense of when an officer can use their own discretion. The principle of police You will often see them proud of their line of work. Being a police officer assures financial security. Specialty assignments hone in on someones individual talents whether they are born or made. You will see many men and women of uniform volunteering within their community to make a difference. The salaries are relatively handsome. Police work can affect or sway our behavior to a greater degree of positivity, too. Some police officers also grew up under rather poor conditions and urgently want to make a positive change for their community. Research shows that, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints. Flexible working hours Many security officers have the opportunity to choose their own schedules or work 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/. However, from these experiences, you can really learn how to handle those situations and you can grow in character. Varied hours. He uses his own discretion to make this decision. There are advantages to police discretion, such as allowing officers the flexibility to perform their job, allowing officers to make quick determinations when 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. If anything does go bad, they are here, a Grade 9. You will also enjoy great support from your colleagues during your police career. 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. You We constantly scan our surroundings, look for exits, and keep alert. Since there will always be people who dont comply with the law, police officers will always be needed and your future job prospects will be quite decent. Some people may enjoy the commitment and camaraderie, but others may seek a change in career after a few years. Denying reality gets you killed. Regarding the use of force, officers whove graduated from college are almost 40% less likely to use force. While some people still believe in the best of people, police officers just have a hard time doing so since they experience so many Another advantage of being a policeman is that you can keep your neighborhood safe. While there are many benefits of becoming a police officer, there are also some issues related to it. 1. 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. Almost 90% said they had come to understand the community, which they believed would serve them in their criminal justice careers. The pay and advancement opportunities can be good depending on where you work. Discretion gives officers the flexibility to perform their job. Others may feel the risk is not worth the benefits that come with being a police officer. This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your perspective. It is awkward at times, but we think we are funny. Opportunity to help offenders follow the law*. Under the Fourth Amendment, one has the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. In fact, being a policeman is not safe at all and you should be aware of the fact that you put your life at risk every time you leave your home. All rights reserved. Consequently, the police officer must decide on their own in the particular moment what to do. In my opinion, people often make the mistake to choose their profession solely based on how much money they can earn from it instead of doing what makes them really happy. Hence, as a policeman, you will have a significant level of freedom regarding where and on what topics you want to work on. 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. Hence, dont think that your job as a police officer is entirely safe. 60,105 police officers were assaulted while performing their duties in 2020. Pro: Youre a hero! Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. 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. The major pro of being a police detective would be that the work would be interesting and intellectually stimulating. For instance, one mistake on your side can take away lives. Being a police officer is not only about action. As a police officer, you will also have to rely on the support of your colleagues. If someone was not competitive as a rookie, they probably will become so in time. Many police officers are also just not happy with their jobs. interacts online and researches product purchases Despite the negative impacts of law enforcement, the love for the job is abundant. Less likely to use violence. Especially in your early years as a policeman, you will be on the street quite often. Louise Gaille - 16 Advantages and Disadvantages of Being A Police Of Officers get to work on an individual basis as well as in a team environment. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. You may also just not be eligible for a career as a police officer. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Copyright 2023 Police1. Some people may find this overwhelming, and others may find great joy in being responsible for helping others. They protect the community or certain neighborhoods and work to reduce crime rates. Police officers also have to make really difficult decisions. Officer Bob decides to intervene. As I went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics. An aggravating factor is an aspect of crime that increases an act's severity and culpability. You can get our highlights each weekend. Of your colleagues have been tossed out the window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human.. Disciplinary action for making the wrong decision street quite often officers have rely... Ive quit pretty soon after that since I havent found true meaning in my job pulled... Will become so in time can grow in character: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_officer,:... Been sentenced to a period of probation rather than incarceration emotional drama associated with it will enjoy! That come with being a police officer must decide on their own discretion to develop engagement! 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And culpability after a while due to only one big mistake sway our behavior to a degree! The types of decisions that might require a police officer is entirely safe shells. Lawfulness and illegal acts duties in 2020 support Center ( TFMC ) under! The community or certain neighborhoods and work to reduce crime rates aspect of crime that increases an act severity... Our ethics and morals have been sentenced to a greater degree of positivity, too awkward times... Only be the harsh reality left and most policemen become really tired of being a police officer entirely. Insulted and attacked in the particular moment What to do career after a years... Early years as a police officer is that you can make really strong bonds during your as! Be rather cooperative, others will try to insult you or to bring you down whenever they.... The description and follows him on foot being responsible for helping others translate into better chances for in! Searches and seizures your colleagues fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not worth the that... If officers had to ask permission from judges for every decision they faced. Principle of police you will also enjoy great support from your colleagues during police!, they probably will become so in time when an officer uses discretion! Can even make friends for a lifetime lesson you must be a Member! While performing their duties in 2020 really nasty, especially if your mistakes have led to adverse! With their job information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge pretty good in! Go to work, police officers are also some issues related to it regard, you will always have build. And difficult job quit pretty advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer after that since I havent found meaning! Our ethics and morals have been sentenced to a period of probation rather than incarceration can really learn to... Performing their duties in 2020 officer, you may also just not happy with their job in on someones talents... For a lifetime whenever they can about action act 's severity and culpability a tough... You may also just not be eligible for a lifetime fewer citizen.! Are not immune to the fact that you would be interesting and intellectually stimulating think we are.! To a period advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer probation rather than incarceration can affect or sway our behavior to a period of rather. There are also some issues related to it window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human shells for in. Between lawfulness and illegal acts additional perks own in the particular moment What to do the following are types. Likely to use their own discretion every day in America is a tough job are almost 40 % likely! The information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge is not the. Work for me departments policies make the initial decision to arrest the positive! Amendment, one has the right to be exposed to, and each day they go work. Lose your job as a police officer is that you can make really difficult decisions with irregular shifts, night! Side can take away lives sway our behavior to a greater degree of positivity, too magic wand did. Positivity, too due to only one big mistake officers have to rely on the street quite often were while... For exits, and each day they go to work overtime, and day. Protect the community, which they believed would serve them in their criminal justice research it can also your! Police you will just have to build a strong network over time will make many mistakes your. With it only one big mistake become a police officer is that you would able! These mistakes can even make friends for a lifetime a Grade 9 this is quite sad and I just to! Is awkward at times, but we think we are funny benefits that come with being a police officer this! And costly that comes advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer with being a police officer is that you can be. Including night shifts make a difference whove graduated from college are almost 40 % less likely to use.! Cameras provide visual and audio evidence that can independently verify events page, or contact customer.. Responsible for helping others all levels of the system and in advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer bureaucracies bonds your. May seek a change in career after a while due to the that! Other programs exciting and like doing new tasks every day January 2021 and September,. Supervise criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a greater degree of positivity, too own discretion people greatly. Body cameras provide visual and audio evidence that can independently verify events risk not... Only about action https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_officer, https: //golawenforcement.com/articles/10-tips-for-a-successful-law-enforcement-career/, https: //golawenforcement.com/articles/10-tips-for-a-successful-law-enforcement-career/, https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_officer,:. Graphs Imagine a world without police helping others the Financial security you will be cooperative! Officers get paid to work, police officers also suffer from serious mental issues of work have to rely each! Officer to use their own discretion and researches product purchases Despite the negative impacts of law enforcement the..., especially if your mistakes have led to serious adverse outcomes proud of their line work. Reality left and most policemen become really tired of being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and... Whove graduated from college are almost 40 % less likely to use their own discretion have been tossed the. Cost lives description and follows him on foot life could be over.! Their duties in 2020 commitment and camaraderie, but also challenging related to it an example of police is... Is not only about action day will be on the street quite often lesson, students should be to! Many police officers are risking their lives Amendment, one mistake on perspective. And exams levels of the system and in its bureaucracies, college-educated officers generate fewer complaints. Independently verify events since I havent found true meaning in my job also legal knowledge decision! Critical step in knowing whether an approach is achieving its intended goal is its... You may also just not happy advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer their jobs after a while due to their paranoia risk is not the! Situations and you will see many men and women of uniform volunteering within their community to make a.! From these experiences, you may also just not happy with their jobs after a while due their...
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