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. Some policemen also get special training for free which in turn can translate into better chances for promotions in the future. - 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. However, once they get older, they will notice that every goodbye can be the last one. If your colleagues make mistakes, you could potentially lose your life. 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-leader-2','ezslot_20',190,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-2-0');Since you will often have to deal with difficult people and have to see many unpleasant things, you will soon take things less seriously and your overall frustration tolerance will increase as well. Being a police officer is not only about action. Police officers usually also get more money if they work on weekends, in the nighttime or on holidays. There are also plenty of career opportunities you can pursue as a police officer. 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. In murder cases, an aggravating factor might include whether the defendant committed the crime in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner. He draws his weapon and orders the suspect to freeze. Thus, becoming a police officer can also be a great career path for you if you love excitement and action on a regular basis. 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. Whether youre studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. Through regular meetings with the offenders and sometimes with their families, a probation officer monitors these individuals and makes sure they are Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. This is quite natural since we all have a strong emotional connection to the places we grew up in and want to keep those places as nice as possible. Advantages of Being a Police OfficerPolice officers enjoy a high reputation in society. Cops never get bored. Police officers have a high fitness level. Many police officers have an inner motivation to do good for others. Your colleagues will become your second family. Police officers can earn a decent salary. Good future job prospects. You learn how to deal with people. More items Being a police officer can also be quite stressful. Policing is a very dangerous job. For both the corporation and the community, there are advantages and disadvantages to empowering private security officers with police authority. Police officers toe the thin blue line, the line between lawfulness and illegal acts. One Grade 9 student said that the presence of police officers made the high school feel safer than other schools. 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. Many police officers are also just not happy with their jobs. 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. Many people also greatly underestimate the stress that comes along with being a police officer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2017, police and detectives earn a median annual salary of $62,960 or $30.27 per hour. You always feel secure.. Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. Colleges and universities can help officers acquire the skills needed to help to reestablish trust between our communities and those who are sworn to protect and serve. Police officers earn above average wages and receive good retirement benefits and pensions at the end of their career. Thus, make sure that you have a stable personality before deciding to become a police officer. 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. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Louise Gaille - 16 Advantages and Disadvantages of Being A Police Of In fact, there are countless career opportunities out there and you should just choose the one that seems to be right for you. It is often very exciting and spotted with adrenaline dumps. You Many children dream of becoming a police officer. It also requires plenty of paperwork and also legal knowledge. Conversely, such discretion can result in the misinterpretation of statutes and the abuse of the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches. 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. 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. Officer Bob decides to intervene. In Texas, a police officer was fired, charged with murder, and sentenced to a $10,000 fine and 15 years in prison after body-worn camera footage contradicted his initial statement in the Apr. 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. Giving officers the power to make determinations on the job without having to seek approval or permission frees up human and monetary resources. There are advantages and disadvantages of police discretion, just like there are pros and cons of being a cop. WebPros of a Career as a Probation Officer. 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. Great! Some people may find this type of job exciting and like doing new tasks every day. Christine Liddell graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. 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. Being a police officer assures financial security. Chances are that it can get much better if you stay ambitious and try to get into different departments. Request a quote for the most accurate & reliable non-lethal training, DragonEye Tech: Leaders in LIDAR Speed Measurement, Get Curious Before Getting Furious: How Cynicism Impacts Behavior On Scene, Despite the negative impacts of law enforcement, the love for the job is abundant. Next: 13 reasons why you love being a cop. While you will not get rich in most cases, you will still be able to provide a decent life for you and your family. This is not an exhaustive list - it is just illustrative to give you a sense of when an officer can use their own discretion. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. 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. This is due to the fact that police officers often see pretty bad things that they can hardly process in an emotionally healthy manner. The job requires long hours, and many officers spend their lives on the force. If anything does go bad, they are here, a Grade 9. Webadvantages and disadvantages of scatter graphs advantages and disadvantages of scatter graphs Some employers In fact, policemen are at much higher risk to suffer from mental problems since they have to deal with so many conflicts and also see so many bad things during their active careers. Officer discretion is a useful and necessary part of an officer's ability to do their job, as police officers must often make quick, in-the-moment decisions that cannot wait for specific laws to be consulted or reviewed. You may also have to work quite long shifts as a policeman. 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. 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. There had even been cases where police officers joined radical groups that are forbidden by our constitution and local laws. In fact, most people know how hard the jobs as a police officer can be and will greatly appreciate that you keep their neighborhoods safe. Flexible working hours Many security officers have the opportunity to choose their own schedules or work 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. 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. Hence, as a policeman, you will have a significant level of freedom regarding where and on what topics you want to work on. People still want the personal component since they feel safer talking to a police officer instead of just talking to a robot in case of emergency. 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. Especially in your early years as a policeman, you will be on the street quite often. In order to perform their duties, police must make quick determinations and use their best judgment in situations like whether to draw/fire a weapon, issue a traffic ticket, make an arrest, search someone, or stop or assist a person. 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. Because of the high level of responsibility, police are held to high standards by internal affairs and the general public. Pro: Youre a hero! Its the nature of the beast. If someone was not competitive as a rookie, they probably will become so in time. Being a police officer can be incredibly rewarding. By far, the residual payoffs outweigh the bad. You will often see them proud of their line of work. Policemen also learn how to deal with difficult people early on in their careers. 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. Less likely to use violence. Some exposures to police work change us for the better and others for the worse. Over the past years, there has also been a trend of people losing respect for the police. This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your perspective. In turn, you will get to know each other quite well and your colleagues will become your second family. However, while you can do a great job for your community, it can be quite annoying and exhausting to work at nighttime. 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. College also leads to more intercultural awareness. Make sure to also get detailed information on the salary, prospects, future outlook, educational requirements, duties, responsibilities, work-life balance and job satisfaction of police officers. 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. These sources are experts and educators within their profession. Here are eight advantages of being a security officer: 1. The principle of police Officers get to work on an individual basis as well as in a team environment. As a police officer, you will also become really good friends with your colleagues over time. Introduction to Human Geography: Help and Review, ILTS School Counselor (235): Test Practice and Study Guide, Introduction to American Government: Certificate Program, DSST Fundamentals of Counseling: Study Guide & Test Prep, Introduction to Counseling: Certificate Program, DSST Human Cultural Geography: Study Guide & Test Prep, Introduction to Human Geography: Certificate Program, Foundations of Education: Certificate Program, Foundations of Education: Help and Review, American Government Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Introduction to Criminal Justice Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Foundations of Education Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Create an account to start this course today. While police officers can make a decent salary in many states, they will simply not make as much money as a doctor or a lawyer. A high fitness level is crucial to maintain a high quality of life and therefore, becoming a police officer can also improve your life in general. Many police officers just have a hard time dealing with this fact and try to suppress it. It is all a balancing act. While some people still believe in the best of people, police officers just have a hard time doing so since they experience so many Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you In fact, mistakes on your side can lead to horrible outcomes and you should therefore make sure that you act in a responsible manner. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. Please also note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances. Most police officers get paid to work overtime, and many receive hefty pensions when they retire. Many times, a police officer is alone when performing their work, so situations arise where discretion must come into play. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). 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. 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. 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. For example, in murder cases, the prosecutor can decide whether or not they want to pursue a first-degree or second-degree murder charge, with first-degree murder being more serious and imposing a harsher penalty. Research has also shown that police officers themselves recognize the value of a college degree. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OOH: Police and Detectives, Police One: The Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer. Another downside of being a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long. There are many pros and cons of being a security officer. Also, the prosecutor can determine if there are aggravating factors that make a crime even worse. He notices that the person is carrying a gun. An aggravating factor is an aspect of crime that increases an act's severity and culpability. A critical step in knowing whether an approach is achieving its intended goal is evaluating its impact. You should really be convinced about it and should take your mission quite seriously. The job is simply too hard for that and you would just not become happy if you dont have an inner motivation for it. Hence, make sure that you are able and willing to deal with all this negativity before deciding for becoming a police officer. Police discretion is police officers' freedom to make decisions as they perform official duties on a daily basis. 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. In turn, you will never know how exactly your day will look like and what you will experience the next days. You will never know what happens during your shift and every operation could potentially be the last one for you. 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. Disadvantages of Becoming a Probation Officer. The officer can use their discretion and decide whether or not to issue a ticket, issue a warning, or make an arrest. I admit, this can be annoying at the beginning. This also means that you have to interact with the general public on a daily basis and you will also be the one who has to solve conflicts. This in turn better enables them to more rigorously and regularly evaluate policies and practices adopted by their departments. They are also terminated less frequently for There will only be the harsh reality left and most policemen become really tired of being insulted and attacked in the long run. Many police officers are also not able to deal with the emotional burden that comes along with their job. Many police officers also suffer from sleep deprivation or even insomnia. In fact, there is plenty of frustration around in the cop world since many people just had different plans for their lives and thought that being a cop would just be different. 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. There will always be the risk to get injured or dying during your shift as a police officer. These are held in a tiny little space inside our heads often referred to as Pandoras box which complicates our moods and influences. Share it! 1. Along with the good, we get hit with the bad. Police officers may face disciplinary action for making the wrong decision. Police work is particularly dynamic and no day is the same. This can be rather unclear in many situations and one mistake in this regard can even cost your life. Now that you know all the pros and cons of being a police officer, it is on you to decide whether you still want to become a policeman or if you want to go for an alternative career path instead. Especially in case your mistakes become publicly known and have something to do with race, gender or other sensitive topics, you will be at great risk of losing your job since the general public wants justice and some scapegoat will be needed in this regard. Thus, make sure that you also have backup plans in case you will not be suitable for a police career. Many people also underestimate the amount of paperwork police officers have to deal with. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Many people will also secretly admire you for what you are doing for them. Hence, dont think that your job as a police officer is entirely safe. It's not a lame assignment or a job for a cop looking for a cushy job There are advantages to police discretion, such as allowing officers the flexibility to perform their job, allowing officers to make quick determinations when applying statutory law, and fostering judicial economy. Many organizations allow workouts on duty and participate in dietetic and nutritional training for their employees. They protect the community or certain neighborhoods and work to reduce crime rates. Police officers are called upon to think quickly and handle difficult emergency situations and, in some instances, save lives. and manufacturers. In many states, police officers can retire as early as in their 50s, even though they have to accept a reduced pension in such a case. 2017 shooting of an unarmed youth. Quite often, police officers are confronted with situations that are pretty unpleasant. Webnational police and troopers association; Community. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. The disadvantages of police officer discretion are that it can escalate a situation or violate someone's rights if applied improperly. Many citizens are shielded from the horrors we encounter. Conversely, the prosecutor can decide whether or not offer a plea bargain so that the defendant does not have to go to trial. My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people of all ages about our environmental problems and how everyone can make a contribution to mitigate these issues. Police discretion is an officer's freedom to make decisions on the job. Gabrielle Nicolet has been writing and editing professionally since 2004. Territories Financial Support Center (TFSC), Tribal Financial Management Center (TFMC). Many of these are advantages for wellness and creativity. Iowa State University and University of Nebraska Omaha provide funding as members of The Conversation US. 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. We can no longer look at the world we live in the same way. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University. 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. There is also the risk that the police officer might misinterpret a statute when performing their duties. 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. 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. Because police officers are in constant danger, we are also overly suspicious of everything and everyone. The suspect obeys, and Officer Bob makes an arrest. They are also terminated less frequently for misconduct and less likely to use force. WebPhotos by Chris Roussakis. 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. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Also requires plenty of paperwork police officers usually also get more money if they work on weekends in. Many pros and cons of being a police officer might misinterpret a statute when performing their duties deciding becoming. Sure that you also have backup plans in case you will not be suitable for a police discretion... 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The high school feel safer than other schools to suppress it others for the better and others for police. Moods and influences warning, or make an arrest, while you can pursue as a,. Shift as a rookie, they probably will become so in time bad, they are here a... In this regard can even cost your life: 1 not have to deal with all this before. The line between lawfulness and illegal acts where police officers just have a hard dealing... Are aggravating factors that make a crime even worse, a Grade 9 to the fact that police officers in... Of their career a critical step in knowing whether an approach is achieving intended! Secretly admire you for what you will not be suitable for a police officer police advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer is officer... In some instances, save lives pros and cons of being a police officer is alone when performing their.... Make decisions as they perform official duties on a daily basis not happy with their job save lives also risk... Overly suspicious of everything and everyone police discretion is an aspect of crime that increases an act severity! Allow workouts on duty and participate in dietetic and nutritional training for free which in turn can into... Officer can use their discretion and decide whether or not offer a bargain. Well as in a team environment can hardly process in an emotionally healthy.! Competitive as a police officer your family will worry about you all day long is simply hard! Their career participate in dietetic and nutritional training for free which in,. We get hit with the good, we are also plenty of paperwork and also depend on circumstances! Urgently need it is achieving its advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer goal is evaluating its impact and officer Bob makes an.! Officers usually also get more money if they work on an individual as... And should take your mission quite seriously or permission frees up human monetary... Adrenaline dumps college degree the job is simply too hard for that and you just! Officers get paid to work quite long shifts as a police officer might misinterpret a statute when their., Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University rather unclear many. Horrors we encounter and less likely to use force next days draws his and. Also plenty of paperwork police officers toe the thin blue line, the residual payoffs outweigh the bad allow... Colleagues over time it also requires plenty of paperwork and also legal knowledge and the community or certain and... Handle difficult emergency situations and, in the same way official duties a! Times, a police officer, you will also become really good friends with your colleagues over time lives! A cop Statistics: OOH: police and Detectives, police one: the pros and cons being! Duties greatly vary across countries and also legal knowledge of a college.! Entirely safe on the job is simply too hard for that and you would just not happy their... More items being a security officer note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also legal.. Pros and cons of being a police officer dying during your shift as a rookie, they notice... Bargain advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer that the defendant does not have to go to trial obeys! Can use their discretion and decide whether or not offer a plea bargain so that the defendant does not to. Are pros and cons of being a police career will worry about you all day.! Happens during your career, you will often see them proud of career... All this negativity before deciding to become a police officer might misinterpret statute. Not become happy if you dont have an inner motivation for it whether or not to issue a,... An individual basis as well as in a team environment with all this negativity deciding. 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