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. No day will be like the past one and you will always have to adjust your expectations. Hence, make sure that you are able and willing to deal with all this negativity before deciding for becoming a police officer. Being a police officer is not only about action. 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. 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. There is also the risk that the police officer might misinterpret a statute when performing their duties. 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. The police discretion definition refers to the freedom of police officers to make decisions as they perform their official duties. 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. Being fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only wise, but it is crucial for an officers physical and mental states. You will never know what happens during your shift and every operation could potentially be the last one for you. You will have to pass many different tests and many people fail those tests. The major pro of being a police detective would be that the work would be interesting and intellectually stimulating. If you dont get any support from the right influential people, your chances of making it to the top will be almost zero. 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. Whether youre studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. 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. Opportunity to help offenders follow the law*. 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. A police officer can also impact the area they serve as a whole. What is police discretion? 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. 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. They are also terminated less frequently for misconduct and less likely to use force. The suspect obeys, and Officer Bob makes an arrest. As a policeman, you will also have the power to do good for others. Thus, make sure that you have a stable personality before deciding to become a police officer. 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. 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. As a police officer, you will also enjoy many additional perks. If you are thinking about becoming a police officer, you should first consider the many advantages and disadvantages of this profession. Less likely to use violence. Despite the negative impacts of law enforcement, the love for the job is abundant. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. These charities bridge community partnerships and sometimes close the gap of societal isolation plaguing officers who disassociate. 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. It is a natural outcome of being on the force with an abundance of Type A personalities. Police officers work long hours, often with irregular shifts, including night shifts. Since police officers see so many bad things during their careers, they often also lose all their childish delusions of a nice world pretty soon. Officers who have an understanding of scientific methods, as taught in college, are better positioned to adjust their departments policies. In fact, attacks and insults towards police officers have increased quite a lot over the past years. Some exposures to police work change us for the better and others for the worse. Most police officers get paid to work overtime, and many receive hefty pensions when they retire. 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. Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day Many people also underestimate the amount of paperwork police officers have to deal with. New police chief hired at N.C. PD after entire police force resigned, SIG Sauer's ROMEO-M17: The future of the Red Dot revolution is here, Video: Bystander pins down drunk driver fleeing crash that killed a Texas police officer, 'It's a blessing': 24-year-old takes helm as N.C. police chief, 'Hold your heart open': Officers, community members attend funeral for Kansas City cop, K-9, keep officers job satisfaction rates high, Open the tools menu in your browser. However, from these experiences, you can really learn how to handle those situations and you can grow in character. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). Please also note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances. However, in reality, there are also many downsides related to this job. It is often very exciting and spotted with adrenaline dumps. It also requires plenty of paperwork and also legal knowledge. The disadvantages of police officer discretion are that it can escalate a situation or violate someone's rights if applied improperly. If the police had to consult with other officers or go to a judge every time they needed to make an on-the-job determination, this would result in a drain not only on the economy but also on the overall law enforcement and judicial systems. Webnational police and troopers association; Community. Police officers are given the freedom to use police discretion and make decisions on the job and in the heat of the moment. During your career, you will often have the chance to support people who urgently need it. Variety of duties*. Specially empowered security officers can relieve public police of spending time and resources to address crime against private businesses. In turn, you will have pretty good job prospects and dont have to fear losing your job due to automatization in the near future. 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. Discretion affords police officers autonomy and authority. 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. 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. The phrase the thin blue line is often associated with the police. Many policemen also develop mental issues in the long run. Due to the bad things and the difficult decisions they have to make during their shifts, many police officers also suffer from serious sleeping issues. Denying reality gets you killed. 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. He draws his weapon and orders the suspect to freeze. In fact, many police officers have an inner motivation to protect the people they already know from early childhood. Others may feel the risk is not worth the benefits that come with being a police officer. It requires hours of sitting and driving, which can cause weight issues and other health concerns. 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. All of these things have been shown to increase critical thinking, moral reasoning and openness to diversity. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, There are advantages and disadvantages of police discretion, just like there are pros and cons of being a cop. 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. 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)*. 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. Copyright 2023 Police1. Consequently, your family and friends will likely also have an easier time in their daily lives in general. Policemen not only have to work at nighttime, they also have to work on holidays. 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. 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. Gaylene Armstrong receives funding from various state and federal granting agencies in support of criminal justice research. One important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. In fact, many people struggle with it since it destroys the natural sleeping rhythm. However, the They must always respond quickly and appropriately. While some people still believe in the best of people, police officers just have a hard time doing so since they experience so many bad things every day. 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. Police discretion allows officers to make decisions when a clear solution may not exist. 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. Discretion fosters judicial economy. 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. In turn, those experiences often follow them in their dreams and their overall quality of sleep will often be pretty poor due to that. Being a police officer also includes writing police reports and doing other paperwork, so it may not be a source of constant thrills. 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. The job is difficult and risky because it requires the officer to protect the individuals and property where he works. 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 can be quite problematic since police officers may attack uninvolved residents due to their paranoia. Create your account. Some police officers also grew up under rather poor conditions and urgently want to make a positive change for their community. What are five negative and five positive personality adaptations cops undergo after experience on the job? If officers had to ask permission from judges for every decision they were faced with, this would be inefficient and costly. Specialty assignments hone in on someones individual talents whether they are born or made. Officers are afforded the opportunity to use their best judgement and knowledge to make decisions. Here are the top recognized benefits of community policing: Improved officer morale: The national narrative around policing has had a significantly negative impact on Discretion gives officers the flexibility to perform their job. Conversely, the prosecutor can decide whether or not offer a plea bargain so that the defendant does not have to go to trial. 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. While there are many benefits of becoming a police officer, there are also some issues related to it. All rights reserved. Among street-level officers who have the most interaction with the public, having a bachelors degree significantly increases commitment to community policing. There are also plenty of career opportunities you can pursue as a police officer. Resources in the criminal justice system are limited and must be used efficiently. 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. $55,000 per year on average, ranging from $45,000 to $75,000 per year. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Officer Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. If police officers had to stop and ask permission before making any type of decision, this would greatly diminish their ability to address immediately dangerous or critical situations. Acting as an intermediary between law and chaos can be stressful, and means that there are many pros and cons of being a cop. 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. 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. 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. In fact, mistakes on your side can lead to horrible outcomes and you should therefore make sure that you act in a responsible manner. It enhances the status of the profession. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Policemen can support local neighborhoods. To begin, it can result in unnecessary escalation, injury or death. 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. Similarly, researchers have found that officers with at least a two-year degree were 40% less likely to lose their jobs due to misconduct. 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. You always feel secure.. Some people may enjoy the commitment and camaraderie, but others may seek a change in career after a few years. Being a police officer can be incredibly rewarding. 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. Cons of a Career as a Probation Officer. These sources are experts and educators within their profession. Among other things, they say a college education improves ethical decision-making skills, knowledge and understanding of the law and the courts, openness to diversity, and communication skills. In fact, if people know that your family and friends know a police officer quite well, they will often act in a more respectful manner since they know that they can get into all sorts of trouble if they misbehave. One Grade 9 student said that the presence of police officers made the high school feel safer than other schools. Among others, articles have been cited by NPOs, Wikipedia, Medium.com as well as on several college websites and lifestyle blogs. Probation officers supervise criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a period of probation rather than incarceration. The officers deter criminal activity such as theft, vandalism and terrorism, protect their employers investments and enforce Many of these are advantages for wellness and creativity. The use of discretion allows the police officer the flexibility necessary to perform their job. Being a police officer in America is a tough job.. He uses his own discretion to make this decision. 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. In general, police officers face quite irregular shifts and often dont know how the next weeks will look like for them. Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. Inside our minds are images, voices, screams, visions, smells, and dreams which have been influenced by our career. Some people may find this type of job exciting and like doing new tasks every day. Higher education has been shown to enhance the technical training that police get in the academy or on the job. However, some police officers quit their jobs after a while due to the dangers they no longer want to be exposed to. You can make a huge difference in many peoples lives over the span of a careerand in If the defendant does have to stand trial, juries hear the case and use their discretion when deciding whether or not the defendant is innocent or guilty. 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. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that it can also help you overcome your fears. Police officers toe the thin blue line between lawfulness and illegal acts, due to their unique position in society. Because of the high level of responsibility, police are held to high standards by internal affairs and the general public. This is not an exhaustive list - it is just illustrative to give you a sense of when an officer can use their own discretion. WebShare Cite. There are some circumstances where you could lose your job overnight and you might end up unemployed and even homeless in the long run due to that. As you can see, there are many additional benefits for police officers and this can compensate for the relatively low salary policemen get at the beginning of their careers. Some disadvantages of empowering private police with full police authority are the attraction which such authority holds for many undesirable candidates, the risk of increasing unnecessary arrests, limited constitutional restraints on private security employees compared to public police, the increased liability of government entities for actions of private security officers they have licensed, the risk of inequitable enforcement, and expanded administrative responsibilities for municipal governments licensing private police. Address crime against private businesses are afforded the opportunity to use force against private businesses dangers... Not be a source of constant thrills fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is only... 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One important advantage of becoming a police officer to make this decision officer! Operation could potentially be the last one for you organization in the long.! Conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also legal knowledge advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer less frequently for misconduct and less likely use! The past years be quite problematic since police officers work long hours, often irregular! Government, Department of justice benefits that come with being a police is...