It also allows the police officer to quickly interpret the applicable statutory law and then act upon the determination. Chances are that it can get much better if you stay ambitious and try to get into different departments. Disadvantages of Security Officers. Police officers have a duty to serve and protect their communities, but some officers may be discouraged by the fact that crimes will continue to be committed no matter what. Many people also underestimate the amount of paperwork police officers have to deal with. However, before you decide for a police officer career due to the salary, make sure to inform yourself about what the salary of a policeman in your area really looks like since it greatly differs across states. They also make sure that people who dont play according to the rules get arrested. You can also work in many different departments. You will never know what happens during your shift and every operation could potentially be the last one for you. 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. It is up to the prosecutor's discretion to decide whether the offense was serious enough to spend valuable time, money, and resources in pursuing the punishment. Police officers toe the thin blue line, the line between lawfulness and illegal acts. This in turn better enables them to more rigorously and regularly evaluate policies and practices adopted by their departments. 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. However, in reality, there are also many downsides related to this job. 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. This is quite sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look like. 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. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. The job is difficult and risky because it requires the officer to protect the individuals and property where he works. As a policeman, you will also have the power to do good for others. Being a police officer also includes writing police reports and doing other paperwork, so it may not be a source of constant thrills. In turn, you will have pretty good job prospects and dont have to fear losing your job due to automatization in the near future. They are also terminated less frequently for Hence, dont think that your job as a police officer is entirely safe. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Specialty assignments hone in on someones individual talents whether they are born or made. 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. How pleasant your life will be as a police officer also greatly depends on the neighborhood you have to work in. Quite often, police officers are confronted with situations that are pretty unpleasant. 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. Here are the top recognized benefits of community policing: Improved officer morale: The national narrative around policing has had a significantly negative impact on WebOne important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. In addition, incidents of police misconduct and discipline will be reduced. 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. Police officers have to rely on each other to make their operations as safe as possible. My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people about the different career paths that are possible in our current state of the world. Consequently, the police officer must decide on their own in the particular moment what to do. 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. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. [Youre smart and curious about the world. The following are the types of decisions that might require a police officer to use their own discretion. Problem-oriented policing is a proactive strategy to identify crime problems in communities. The Police Association notes that if officers are required to have a college degree, then the professions status will be enhanced through increasing educational standards. 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. He uses his own discretion to make this decision. Crime Measurement Programs: History & Nature, The History of Women & Minority Members in the Police Profession, Recruitment of Women & Minorities in Policing. As a police officer, you will surely be both loved and hated. List of the Advantages of Police Discretion 1. The phrase the thin blue line is often associated with the police. However, the Decent pay ($53,360 average as of May 2014) Option to work in or out of an office environment (a probationer's home, place of employment or the officer's office)*. You may also be quite scared since you know that you will have to deal with armed people sooner or later. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-1','ezslot_17',149,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-1-0');Thus, over time, you will build a high level of trust with each other and after a few years, you will almost blindly rely on your colleagues having your back in case of emergency. Additionally, one study found that police departments that required at least a two-year degree for officers had a lower rate of officers assaulted by civilians compared to departments that did not require college degrees. In fact, night shifts are rather common and if you dont want to work at night, you should just go for another occupation instead. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. As we can see from the previous chapter, there are definitely many important advantages of working as a police officer. Officers are afforded the opportunity to use their best judgement and knowledge to make decisions. It enhances the status of the profession. Our fuses and energy become shortwith sleep deprivation, long shift hours, societal isolation, and continued exposure to negative human elements. Next: 13 reasons why you love being a cop. To begin, it can result in unnecessary escalation, injury or death. The suspect obeys, and Officer Bob makes an arrest. Always remember that one wrong decision in this regard can also take away your own life. After finishing university, I traveled around the world. The officer can use their discretion and decide whether or not to issue a ticket, issue a warning, or make an arrest. Police culture is full of many coping skills and personality transformations. Law enforcement officers exercise police discretion when deciding whether or not to draw their weapon, make an arrest, shoot someone, search someone, render assistance to someone, or issue a ticket to someone. It is often very exciting and spotted with adrenaline dumps. 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/. It's not a lame assignment or a job for a cop looking for a cushy job It is awkward at times, but we think we are funny. There are many instances throughout a police officer's day-to-day work where they can decide how to respond to a situation using their own best judgement and wisdom rather than a strict law. During your career, you will often have the chance to support people who urgently need it. 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. 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. Denying reality gets you killed. Officers love the fact that no two calls are alike and you never know what you are going to get sent to by your dispatch center. This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your perspective. Officer Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot. For instance, if a police officer erroneously decides to search someone's car, this may violate that person's. Being a police officer can be incredibly rewarding. Officer Bob decides to intervene. The disadvantages of police officer discretion are that it can escalate a situation or violate someone's rights if applied improperly. Others may feel the risk is not worth the benefits that come with being a police officer. You will see many men and women of uniform volunteering within their community to make a difference. 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. Moreover, you will also learn how to read people and this is crucial to succeeding not only as police officer, but also in various other parts of your life. 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. Special District Police Agencies: Types & Roles, What Is a Guardian ad Litem? 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. While many people who work in office jobs have to go to the gym to stay in shape, you as a police officer dont have to do this since you will stay in shape in a natural manner and can spend your time in a more enjoyable manner. Opportunity to help offenders follow the law*. Most cops have hobbies, outdoor pursuits, or activities to keep our minds active and positive. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. There will always be the risk to get injured or dying during your shift as a police officer. The job requires long hours, and many officers spend their lives on the force. 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. Discretion gives officers the flexibility to perform their job. These changes often come with company benefits. Many people also greatly underestimate the stress that comes along with being a police officer. 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. 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