Being a police officer is not only about action. 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. 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. We can no longer look at the world we live in the same way. In fact, not all police officers have good intentions and you should be quite careful in case your boss tries to push you in such a direction. Consequently, be aware of the fact that people will not respect you that much anymore and that you will have to deal with insults or even attacks sooner or later in your career. Danger at Work. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. 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. Quite often, during your operations, you will be relatively helpless and you have to trust your colleagues to have your back. Higher education, including graduate degrees, can enhance the leadership potential of criminal justice professionals and support their promotion through the ranks. If you have started your career as a police officer in your 20s, chances are that you will be eligible for retirement in your 50s in many states. The job is difficult and risky because it requires the officer to protect the individuals and property where he works. Through regular meetings with the offenders and sometimes with their families, a probation officer monitors these individuals and makes sure they are Others think police officers are mean, uncaring snitches who simply arrest people and hand out traffic tickets. Depending on the state you live in and your educational level, you can also earn pretty decent money from being a police officer. Officers utilize their discretion on the job constantly, as they make decisions while performing routine duties, while in the heat of the moment, and while they are alone with no partner or backup to consult with. Acting as an intermediary between law and chaos can be stressful, and means that there are many pros and cons of being a cop. Copyright 2023 Police1. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Research shows that, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints. Police officers are called upon to think quickly and handle difficult emergency situations and, in some instances, save lives. In fact, shifts of 10 hours+ are quite common and this can be really exhausting, especially at nighttime when you will often count every minute until it will eventually be time to go home and fall into your bed. Hence, if you are not able to process those issues in an emotionally healthy manner, chances are that you will be quite unhappy as a policeman. All rights reserved. Police work can affect or sway our behavior to a greater degree of positivity, too. Pro: Youre a hero! After finishing university, I traveled around the world. Quite often, you will also spend your leisure together and some police officers even spend plenty of time together after they retire. 1. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 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. Create your account. Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day they go to work, police officers are risking their lives. Being a police officer also includes writing police reports and doing other paperwork, so it may not be a source of constant thrills. In fact, attacks and insults towards police officers have increased quite a lot over the past years. 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. In this case, police are given discretion, or freedom to decide, on the job to make decisions, but there is a 'thin blue line' that the police cannot cross or they will be in violation of the law. The principle of police The following are the types of decisions that might require a police officer to use their own discretion. You will often see them proud of their line of work. Now let's look at another example. 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. Police enjoy a high status and reputation in society, since policing is a well-respected position. There are advantages and disadvantages of police discretion, just like there are pros and cons of being a cop. In fact, unlawful behavior doesnt care about holidays too much and you as a police officer have to chase the bad guys on holidays as well. Consequently, if you are not willing to take this risk, you should definitely go for a different career path instead. An aggravating factor is an aspect of crime that increases an act's severity and culpability. 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. Research has found that when police departments use community-policing strategies, people are more satisfied with how police serve their community and view them as more legitimate. 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. Discretion is important in the criminal justice system because it fosters judicial economy. direct and indirect speech past tense exercises; tarantula sling not moving; flitch beam span chart; sylvania country club membership fees; bs 3939 electrical and electronic symbols pdf; ninaki priddy date of birth; offspring chris havel wife; airigh 'n eilean; ontario bar exam results 2020 To begin, it can result in unnecessary escalation, injury or death. 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. 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. Imagine you take away the life of a person and it turns out that this has not been necessary at all. 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. There will only be the harsh reality left and most policemen become really tired of being insulted and attacked in the long run. Many of these are advantages for wellness and creativity. Discretion gives officers the flexibility to perform their job. As a police officer, you will surely be both loved and hated. During your career as a police officer, you will also learn quite a lot of patience. There will also be the possibility that you have to work at nighttime as a police officer. Proactive Policing Strategies & Examples | What is Proactive Policing? Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. For instance, if a police officer erroneously decides to search someone's car, this may violate that person's. Officer Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot. However, once they get older, they will notice that every goodbye can be the last one. Research shows that, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints. Inside our minds are images, voices, screams, visions, smells, and dreams which have been influenced by our career. Great! Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day Another said they felt safer while walking home. Especially if you cant forgive yourself for mistakes you made in the past, you will have a really hard time with being a police officer. 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. Many police officers also suffer from sleep deprivation or even insomnia. For instance, the officer could misinterpret a statute and make an erroneous arrest. In fact, you will make many mistakes throughout your career and some of these mistakes can even cost lives. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. Officers get to work on an individual basis as well as in a team environment. 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. 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. Many policemen also develop mental issues in the long run. In addition to the personal satisfaction that you gain, you will receive a competitive salary as well as a number of other benefits. You can make a huge difference in many peoples lives over the span of a careerand in Officers are afforded the opportunity to use their best judgement and knowledge to make decisions. You may also have to work quite long shifts as a policeman. WebOne important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. As a police officer, you will also become really good friends with your colleagues over time. I feel like its a lifeline. 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. Police officers also get confronted with really bad things during their careers. Thus, if you have those ambitions, make sure that you connect to the right people and do your job extraordinarily well. 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. WebShare Cite. Many organizations allow workouts on duty and participate in dietetic and nutritional training for their employees. The definition of especially heinous, however, is left up to the prosecutor's discretion. These are held in a tiny little space inside our heads often referred to as Pandoras box which complicates our moods and influences. Our ethics and morals have been tossed out the window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human shells. When the police perform their official duties, there is a certain level of discretion they must use. Thus, becoming a police officer can also be a great career path for you if you love excitement and action on a regular basis. You will not only put your own life on the line, also the quality of life of your family will suffer quite a lot since your kids and your spouse will always worry about you. You should really be convinced about it and should take your mission quite seriously. 14 chapters | 1. Policemen can also retire earlier than people in most other jobs. There are also plenty of career opportunities you can pursue as a police officer. Another downside of becoming a police officer is that you will also have to work at nighttime. State Law Enforcement Agencies & Roles | What Is State Law Enforcement? A critical step in knowing whether an approach is achieving its intended goal is evaluating its impact. A lock ( The job requires long hours, and many officers spend their lives on the force. As a police officer, you can also work in many different fields. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Policing is a very interesting job and the situations officers face change constantly. Lexipol. 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. Cons of a Career as a Probation Officer. I did the same when I started working in consulting after finishing my Masters degree in Economics. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. For example, many departments employ de-escalation tactics that aim to reduce use of force. 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. Another downside of being a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long. 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. Denying reality gets you killed. In fact, it can even make you much stronger and overcoming our fears is crucial to really grow in character and to develop a more stable personality. 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. 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. For instance, as college students, aspiring or current police officers participate in internships, do community service or study abroad. Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. You may also just not be eligible for a career as a police officer. Being a police officer is more than a profession. Gabrielle Nicolet has been writing and editing professionally since 2004. Why is being professional important? ], 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. 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. 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