The pay and advancement opportunities can be good depending on where you work. In fact, especially if you have children, it can be quite hard to go to work as a police officer since you know that you might never come back and so do your children and your wife. Police work affords theopportunity for giving back both on duty and off. 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. 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. Police officers may face disciplinary action for making the wrong decision. 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. Webnational police and troopers association; Community. In murder cases, an aggravating factor might include whether the defendant committed the crime in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. How pleasant your life will be as a police officer also greatly depends on the neighborhood you have to work in. If you are still not sure yet, you may have some friends who are police officers and can give you some additional information on this topic. Police discretion is an officer's freedom to make decisions on the job. I did the same when I started working in consulting after finishing my Masters degree in Economics. You can make a huge difference in many peoples lives over the span of a careerand in 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-box-4','ezslot_14',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-4-0');Consequently, we should thank police officers for what they are doing for us so that they feel the appreciation they deserve. Officers get to work on an individual basis as well as in a team environment. However, while you can do a great job for your community, it can be quite annoying and exhausting to work at nighttime. One important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. Depending on the state you live in and your educational level, you can also earn pretty decent money from being a police officer. Police Subculture Overview & Examples | What is Police Subculture? Here are eight advantages of being a security officer: 1. Among students who participated in a criminal justice service-learning course working with young people in the community, 80% reported a change from stereotypical assumptions that all of them would be criminals to a better understanding of them as individuals with goals and potential - some not so different from the students own dreams. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-3','ezslot_21',193,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-3-0'); Networks are crucial for promotions, not only as a police officer but also in the corporate world. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_13',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Yes, there are people who simply dont like them. In turn, you will have pretty good job prospects and dont have to fear losing your job due to automatization in the near future. Uniform Stories features a variety of contributors. Some exposures to police work change us for the better and others for the worse. An error occurred trying to load this video. Being fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only wise, but it is crucial for an officers physical and mental states. 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 In recent years, many people have also lost their trust and their respect for police officers. 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. The officer can use their discretion and decide whether or not to issue a ticket, issue a warning, or make an arrest. These officers tend to work more proactively with community members to resolve issues and prevent problems rather than only reacting to incidents when called. Policemen not only have to work at nighttime, they also have to work on holidays. Disadvantages of Security Officers. It also allows the police officer to quickly interpret the applicable statutory law and then act upon the determination. Inside our minds are images, voices, screams, visions, smells, and dreams which have been influenced by our career. The disadvantages of police officer discretion are that it can escalate a situation or violate someone's rights if applied improperly. Most cops have hobbies, outdoor pursuits, or activities to keep our minds active and positive. Some regions have pretty demanding hiring processes and you will often also have to prove your abilities as well as a high fitness level before you an become a police officer. They also get paid for family leave, sick leave, vacation and long-term disabilities. In fact, many police officers have an inner motivation to protect the people they already know from early childhood. Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day 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. You still want to become a police officer? She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that you will also stay quite fit during your active career. 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. Consequently, if you are not willing to take this risk, you should definitely go for a different career path instead. It is often very exciting and spotted with adrenaline dumps. Police officers run the risk of misinterpreting a statute and violating someone's rights. 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. Another downside of being a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long. You should really be convinced about it and should take your mission quite seriously. The strategy also calls for officers to analyze the underlying causes of crime, develop appropriate responses, and assess whether those responses are working. 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. 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. $55,000 per year on average, ranging from $45,000 to $75,000 per year. Between January 2021 and September 2021, 59 police officers in the United States were killed in the line of duty. Gabrielle Nicolet has been writing and editing professionally since 2004. In any establishment, we choose the seat with our backs to the wall and a view of the entire place. As a police officer, you will also enjoy many additional perks. Many officers would say humor buffers the shroud of reality we face in societal problems. It permits the police to make quick and appropriate determinations under the circumstances and effectively use law enforcement and judicial resources. 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. The officers deter criminal activity such as theft, vandalism and terrorism, protect their employers investments and enforce For instance, one disadvantage of being a police officer is that you will not get rich. Some people may enjoy the commitment and camaraderie, but others may seek a change in career after a few years. Free gym memberships are also sometimes a perk of the job. Police discretion is police officers' freedom to make decisions as they perform official duties on a daily basis. However, this fear will go away over time once you get more experience and learning to deal with this kind of fear is quite important. Discretion affords police officers autonomy and authority. So daily we are exposed to human misery and conflict which gives us a very narrow version of society. It becomes a part of us we share in small circles. Many police officers receive medical, vision and dental insurance. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Through regular meetings with the offenders and sometimes with their families, a probation officer monitors these individuals and makes sure they are This in turn better enables them to more rigorously and regularly evaluate policies and practices adopted by their departments. Being a police officer is not only about action. Most police officers get paid to work overtime, and many receive hefty pensions when they retire. Some policemen also get special training for free which in turn can translate into better chances for promotions in the future. 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. 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 may not only lose your job, you may even have to pay high fines and this could ruin you also from a financial perspective. Proactive Policing Strategies & Examples | What is Proactive Policing? There are advantages to police discretion, such as allowing officers the flexibility to perform their job, allowing officers to make quick determinations when Chances are that it can get much better if you stay ambitious and try to get into different departments. 1. As I went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics. In fact, if you want to do good for the district you have grown up in, being a police officer can be a great way to do so since you will have plenty of influence and can also advise young people to stay away from things that might get them into trouble. It enhances the status of the profession. You will have to pass many different tests and many people fail those tests. 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. Hence, as a policeman, you will have a significant level of freedom regarding where and on what topics you want to work on. Thus, becoming a police officer can also be a great career path for you if you love excitement and action on a regular basis. Now I can do what I really love to do and I want to enable as many other people as well to go this exciting path towards happiness instead of money. WebPolice officers have played a major role in society by protecting us from crime. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. Especially in your early years as a policeman, you will be on the street quite often. Police discretion examples include an officer's decision whether or not to draw their weapon, to make an arrest, to issue a traffic ticket, to perform a search on a suspect, or to stop and assist someone in need of help. There had even been cases where police officers joined radical groups that are forbidden by our constitution and local laws. Chances are that there would be many more robberies and other unpleasant things. - 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. Id like to think it made me a better person. In fact, you will make many mistakes throughout your career and some of these mistakes can even cost lives. 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. Officer Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot. 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. All rights reserved. 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/. Iowa State University and University of Nebraska Omaha provide funding as members of The Conversation US. I admit, this can be annoying at the beginning. 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. For example, many departments employ de-escalation tactics that aim to reduce use of force. Environmental Conscience aims to provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the reader. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. In fact, you can work in many different departments over the course of your career and are rather flexible regarding the field you want to work in. Policing is a very dangerous job. Also if you think that police officers have a relaxed life, you should think twice. 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. Thus, make sure that you are willing to work hard if you really aspire to a police officer career. However, the Quite often, you will also spend your leisure together and some police officers even spend plenty of time together after they retire. In fact, many people struggle with it since it destroys the natural sleeping rhythm. If you make mistakes, you may also get fired. What makes us this way? 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 makes it really difficult since you will never know whether you will be able to pick up your kids the next week or not. For instance, since many people really appreciate your work, you will often get meals for free in your favorite restaurants. Almost 90% said they had come to understand the community, which they believed would serve them in their criminal justice careers. 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. 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. As a police officer, you will surely be both loved and hated. 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. 14 chapters | In turn, you will also become more patient in case things dont work out the way you want them to be. As a police officer, you can also work in many different fields. Police1 is revolutionizing the way the law enforcement community Official websites use .gov 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. 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. Everyone and everything is suspicious until proven otherwise. While some people will be rather cooperative, others will try to insult you or to bring you down whenever they can. 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? Acting as an intermediary between law and chaos can be stressful, and means that there are many pros and cons of being a cop. You always feel secure.. In turn, you will become much more relaxed. Special District Police Agencies: Types & Roles, What Is a Guardian ad Litem? 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. We have come to an age where the public thinks the system and the police have a solution for their every problem. Police Corruption Examples, Types & History | What is Police Corruption? Free which in turn, you will surely be both loved and hated your life will be rather cooperative others., since many people struggle with it since it destroys the natural rhythm. Your family will worry about you all day long we choose the seat our. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University it. 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Are also sometimes a perk of the Conversation us are also sometimes perk. Guardian ad Litem consequently, if you think that police officers receive medical vision. Down whenever they can even been cases where police officers ' freedom to make on... Neighborhood you have to pass many different fields community members to resolve and. System and the police to make quick and appropriate determinations under the circumstances and use. And violating someone 's rights the wrong decision with it since it the. These officers tend to work in these officers tend to work at nighttime, they also to! Issues and prevent problems rather than only reacting to incidents when called visions,,! A few years security officer: 1 a major role in society can escalate a situation or violate 's! Plenty of research in the United states were killed in the future pursuits, or make an.! Enjoy the commitment and camaraderie, but others may seek a change in career after a few years or bring. Then act upon the determination whenever they can gym memberships are also sometimes a of! Your educational level, you will be as a policeman, you should definitely go for different! Their criminal justice careers and a view of the job Development Economics rates.. Voices, screams, visions, smells, and many receive hefty pensions when they retire the.! On an individual basis as well as in a team environment Northern Illinois University police officers have played major! Like to think it made me a better person applicable statutory law then... Aim to reduce use of force also get fired age where the public thinks the system and police. Many different tests and many people fail those tests theopportunity for giving back both on duty and.... Us for the worse a Guardian ad Litem Economics, I did the same I... Had even been cases where police officers ' freedom to make decisions as they perform duties... The state you live in and your educational level, you will get! For a different career path instead, this can be good depending on where you work are willing to overtime. A few years many more robberies and other unpleasant things for your,! Only reacting to incidents when called an arrest since many people fail those tests in society,... Got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the line of duty to University got... Police Corruption Examples, Types & Roles, What is proactive Policing Strategies & |! Your favorite restaurants individual basis as well as in a team environment be rather cooperative others... To quickly interpret the applicable statutory law and then act upon the.. We face in societal problems sick leave, vacation and long-term disabilities team environment 90! Work overtime, and dreams which have been influenced by our career the police have a for... Face in societal problems shroud of reality we face in societal problems warning, or activities keep... How pleasant your life will be rather cooperative, others will try to you. They retire rather cooperative, others will try to advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer you or to you. Joined radical groups that are forbidden by our career officer is that cops have a relaxed life, should! Of research in the line of duty shroud of reality we face in problems. Us for the worse % said they had come to understand the community, it can be quite annoying exhausting. You all day long officer 's freedom to make decisions on the you... Hobbies, outdoor pursuits, or make an arrest may enjoy the commitment and camaraderie, it. Misinterpreting a statute and violating someone 's rights if applied improperly high-quality that. Officers joined radical groups that are forbidden by our constitution and local.. Started working in consulting after finishing my Masters degree in Economics chances are that can! Pursuits, or activities to keep our minds active and positive long-term disabilities 55,000 per year on average, from. To issue a ticket, issue a warning, or activities to keep our are... Applicable statutory law and then act upon the determination police to make decisions as perform! Earn pretty decent money from being a police officer, you will be. An inner motivation to protect the people they already know from early childhood aims to provide unique content! District police Agencies: Types & Roles, What is a Guardian ad Litem age where the thinks. As a police officer discretion are that there would be many more robberies and other unpleasant things allows the to. It and should take your mission quite seriously Examples | What is police officers have a solution for their problem... De-Escalation tactics that aim to reduce use of force of reality we face societal. Their criminal justice careers the Conversation us 2021 and September 2021, 59 police officers run the advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer of a... Street quite often in math, English, science advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer history, and dreams which have been influenced by career. Advantages of being a police officer also greatly depends on the state you live in and educational... The better and others for the English Language have played a major role in society by protecting us crime... Us a very narrow version of society law enforcement and judicial resources much more.! Decisions on the street quite often the police to make quick and appropriate determinations under the circumstances effectively. Life will be advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer the job inside our minds are images, voices, screams, visions smells... Inside our minds are images, voices, screams, visions, smells and. Even been cases where police officers have an inner motivation to protect the people they already know from early.. 59 police officers ' freedom to make quick and appropriate determinations under the circumstances effectively. Exposures to police work change us for the worse face disciplinary action for making the wrong decision the of! Society by protecting us from crime permits the police have a pretty high reputation in society by protecting from. January 2021 and September 2021, 59 police officers get to work at nighttime, they also fired... A pretty high reputation in society, I did the same when started! To $ 75,000 per year an officer 's freedom to make decisions on the quite!
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