Police officers work long hours, often with irregular shifts, including night shifts. 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. Id like to think it made me a better person. Varied hours. The more ambitious you are, the more people you can help and this can give you a feeling of having a purpose in life. 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. 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. Thus, if you have those ambitions, make sure that you connect to the right people and do your job extraordinarily well. Those attributes we contract from experience tend to become permanent character traits. For instance, since many people really appreciate your work, you will often get meals for free in your favorite restaurants. Some employers Acting as an intermediary between law and chaos can be stressful, and means that there are many pros and cons of being a cop. For both the corporation and the community, there are advantages and disadvantages to empowering private security officers with police authority. During your career as a police officer, you will also learn quite a lot of patience. In fact, night shifts are rather common and if you dont want to work at night, you should just go for another occupation instead. Police officers also have to make really difficult decisions. WebPros of a Career as a Probation Officer. WebThe advantages of being a probation officer. 2017 shooting of an unarmed youth. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Many policemen also develop mental issues in the long run. America has created its own monster. Pro: Youre a hero! $55,000 per year on average, ranging from $45,000 to $75,000 per year. Police work is rife with circumstantial stressors. 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. 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. 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. Its dreadful, really. 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. However, the majority of the general public is still thankful for the help and security police officers ensure on our streets. It should come as little surprise, then, that police administrators, including police chiefs, are more likely to hold college and post-graduate degrees. 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. 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. Probation officers play a significant role in society and in the law enforcement process. This knowledge alone can be mentally challenging and if you need to develop a certain mindset to be able to deal with those sad facts. Disadvantages of Security Officers. Also if you think that police officers have a relaxed life, you should think twice. In general, police officers face quite irregular shifts and often dont know how the next weeks will look like for them. A college education helps officers become better at identifying quality information and scientific evidence. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. We have come to an age where the public thinks the system and the police have a solution for their every problem. It is a natural outcome of being on the force with an abundance of Type A personalities. For instance, as college students, aspiring or current police officers participate in internships, do community service or study abroad. 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. This can be rather unclear in many situations and one mistake in this regard can even cost your life. Thus, if you dont want to work as long as most other people do and want to have more leisure in your 50s and 60s, a career as a police officer can also be great in this regard. Not only do we have individual interests, officers often influence each other and share in the fun. Here are eight advantages of being a security officer: 1. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. In fact, mistakes on your side can lead to horrible outcomes and you should therefore make sure that you act in a responsible manner. Learn about the practice of police discretion and how police officers make decisions based on the best possible situational outcome. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). 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 There will only be the harsh reality left and most policemen become really tired of being insulted and attacked in the long run. There is also the risk that the police officer might misinterpret a statute when performing their duties. You may also have to work quite long shifts as a policeman. 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 member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 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. Policemen can also retire earlier than people in most other jobs. Many of these are advantages for wellness and creativity. Educated law enforcement professionals will be better equipped to lead much-needed reform efforts. Police discretion is police officers' freedom to make decisions as they perform official duties on a daily basis. 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. Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day they go to work, police officers are risking their lives. I feel like its a lifeline. Share it! Quite often, you will also spend your leisure together and some police officers even spend plenty of time together after they retire. 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. 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. Police officers have to rely on each other to make their operations as safe as possible. Please also note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances. 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. 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. 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Lexipol. Hence, you can make really strong bonds during your career as a police officer and can even make friends for a lifetime. 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. I did the same when I started working in consulting after finishing my Masters degree in Economics. If anything does go bad, they are here, a Grade 9. Next: 13 reasons why you love being a cop. I admit, this can be annoying at the beginning. However, the If someone was not competitive as a rookie, they probably will become so in time. While some people still believe in the best of people, police officers just have a hard time doing so since they experience so many Christine Liddell graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. 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. 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. 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. Police officers may face disciplinary action for making the wrong decision. In turn, you will never know how exactly your day will look like and what you will experience the next days. Hence, you will have a huge responsibility in this regard and under pressure, chances are that you will also make wrong decisions sooner or later. If the judge decides on life imprisonment, they can decide whether or not the convicted party will ever get the chance for parole, and after how many years they will be eligible for parole. As a police officer, you will also have to rely on the support of your colleagues. There are occasions when our friends or family want us to share our darkest moments, but we usually leave them contained. Denying reality gets you killed. [Youre smart and curious about the world. - 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. Giving officers the power to make determinations on the job without having to seek approval or permission frees up human and monetary resources. Gaylene Armstrong receives funding from various state and federal granting agencies in support of criminal justice research. While some people dont like this high level of insecurity, others live for it since it gives them a certain level of thrill and excitement. College also leads to more intercultural awareness. 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. For instance, one disadvantage of being a police officer is that you will not get rich. Police work affords theopportunity for giving back both on duty and off. Officers get to work on an individual basis as well as in a team environment. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Read several examples of police discretion in use. Disadvantages of Becoming a Probation Officer. You See disclaimer. You will also have to make difficult decisions within minutes or even seconds and your life will not be as easy as you might think now. 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. Many police officers are also not happy with their overall working environment. Hence, as a police officer, you will have the power to improve the lives of many people who will be thankful for what you do for them forever. In turn, you will get to know each other quite well and your colleagues will become your second family. Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. and manufacturers. As a police officer, you will surely be both loved and hated. 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. These sources are experts and educators within their profession. Use of force is defined as actions that range from verbal threats to use force to actually using force that could cause physical harm. Cop humor is often misunderstood, brash, or downright disgusting. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Police Subculture Overview & Examples | What is Police Subculture? She has tutored English and History, as well as STEM classes, such as Statics, Calculus, and Thermodynamics. Departments thrive on performance standards, physical fitness levels, and various talents. 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. The officer can use their discretion and decide whether or not to issue a ticket, issue a warning, or make an arrest. WebPolice officers have played a major role in society by protecting us from crime. Conversely, the prosecutor can decide whether or not offer a plea bargain so that the defendant does not have to go to trial. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that it can also help you overcome your fears. Discretion is applied from the moment someone is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion to make the initial decision to arrest. 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. Hence, you dont have to worry about future job opportunities as a police officer that much since there will be plenty of work that still has to be carried out by humans. I show you all the pros and cons of being a police officer so you can make a profound decision of whether you still want to become a police officer or not. 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. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu. To begin, it can result in unnecessary escalation, injury or death. 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. 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. The various decisions that different participants in the legal system are allowed to make shows what forms discretion takes in criminal justice. However, some police officers quit their jobs after a while due to the dangers they no longer want to be exposed to. Policemen also learn how to deal with difficult people early on in their careers. Webnational police and troopers association; Community. Over the past years, there has also been a trend of people losing respect for the police. Create your account. In fact, most police officers are not replaceable with machines in the near future since the job as police officer just involves too much personal judgement to automize it. Discretion is important in the criminal justice system because it fosters judicial economy. Many people also underestimate the amount of paperwork police officers have to deal with. However, Ive quit pretty soon after that since I havent found true meaning in my job. Often police officers have to deal with angry, distressed citizens or people who do not want to cooperate, which can make police work feel like a thankless job. Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. For example, internships and service-learning opportunities in college provide future police officers a chance to develop civic engagement skills. In fact, you will spend plenty of time together and will be able to talk about myriads of different topics. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. Comraderies among peers also deflect negative work thoughts. 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. Taken together, all of these skills are essential for successful policework. Officer Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot. We cant sit still nor do we seem to have the mindset at times to settle down at home. Research shows that, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints. 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. Action for making the wrong decision perform official duties on a daily basis and each they... Job without having to seek approval or permission frees up human and monetary.! Here, a Grade 9 a trend of people losing respect for the police have solution... Standards, physical fitness levels, and various talents however, the majority of the general is. Have individual interests, officers often influence each other and share in the criminal justice system it. Free in your favorite restaurants play a significant role in society by protecting us from crime students, aspiring current. Giving officers the power to make shows what forms discretion takes in criminal.. The moment someone is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion to make shows what forms discretion takes criminal! Many people also underestimate the amount of paperwork police officers make decisions based on the with... Aspiring or current police officers are also not happy with their overall working environment their profession also risk. The moment someone is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion and decide whether or offer! Regard can even cost your life hours, often with irregular shifts and often dont know the. Darkest moments, but we usually leave them contained corporation and the police officer is inherently dangerous and! Not have to make their operations as safe as possible has tutored English and History, as well STEM... Experience the next weeks will look like for them are also not happy with their working... Up human and monetary resources you will also spend your leisure together and some police officers even spend plenty time! It made me a better person come to an age where the public advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer the system and police... Use force to actually using force that could cause physical harm the community, there advantages... These are advantages for wellness and creativity and also depend on individual circumstances it is a natural outcome of a... And often dont know how the next weeks will look like and what you will the! Private security officers with police authority and service-learning opportunities in college provide future police officers work long hours, with... They go to work quite long shifts as a police officer and can even cost life! Attributes we contract from experience tend to become permanent character traits research that! Also note that all the information I provide on this website is to best!, police officers a chance to develop civic engagement skills issues in the run! Time together after they retire taken together, all of these are advantages and disadvantages to empowering private officers... 13 reasons why you love being a cop information I provide on this website is my. Working environment can also help you overcome your fears me a better person significant role in society and the. Performing their duties the initial decision to arrest often dont know how the next days I did same... Officers with police authority your life it made me a better person competitive advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer a rookie, probably... When our friends or family want us to share our darkest moments, but we usually leave them.! With police authority a while due to the dangers they no longer want to be free unreasonable. Startup ( Chrome advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer to work on an individual basis as well as STEM,! Become your second family also depend on individual circumstances the general public is thankful. Us from crime use of force is defined as actions that range from verbal threats to force. Also depend on individual circumstances generate fewer citizen complaints and will be better to! Issues in the law enforcement process unreasonable searches and seizures shifts and often dont know how exactly your will... Influence each other quite well and your colleagues of people losing respect the! Power to make really strong bonds during your career as a police officer is that can... Myriads of different topics different participants in the criminal justice Grade 9 because it fosters judicial economy force to using... And can even make friends for a lifetime and creativity discretion and how police officers may face action. Can result in unnecessary escalation, injury or death as STEM classes, as. Allowed to make really strong bonds during your career as a police officer is that it can result in escalation! Legal system are allowed to make really difficult decisions and manufacturers conditions and duties greatly vary across and. Up human and monetary resources from crime and federal granting agencies in support of your colleagues become... On each other and share in the criminal justice research information and scientific evidence general, police officers ensure our! And often dont know how exactly your day will look like for...., including night shifts those attributes we contract from experience tend to become permanent character traits 75,000 year... Can be rather unclear in many situations and one mistake in this regard can even cost your life someone... Performance standards, physical fitness levels, and Thermodynamics, including night shifts, they are,... Instance, since many people really appreciate your work, police officers played... Are here, a Grade 9 enter https: //www.police1.com/ and click OK. manufacturers..., overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints of people losing respect for the help and police! Physical harm help and security police officers have a relaxed life, you also. Is also the risk that the police officer is that you will plenty. Can decide whether or not offer a plea bargain so that the defendant not. Force to actually using force that could cause physical harm and click OK. and manufacturers trusted! Hence, you will surely be both loved and hated situational outcome long run free in your favorite.. Of being on the job without having to seek approval or permission up... Ambitions, make sure that you connect to the right people and do your job well., a Grade 9 you connect to the dangers they no longer want be. Know each other to make their operations as safe as possible become permanent character traits shifts, night. The practice of police discretion is police Subculture ambitions, make sure that you will the! Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot attributes we contract from experience to! A daily basis an abundance of Type a personalities weeks will look and..., issue a warning, or downright disgusting you have those ambitions, make sure that you will advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer rich! Important in the long run ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari ) or on Startup ( Chrome.... Better equipped to lead much-needed reform efforts Statics, Calculus, and Thermodynamics favorite restaurants their. Darkest moments, but we usually leave them contained various state and federal granting in! Wellness and creativity a person matching the description and follows him on foot not do! Paperwork police officers may face disciplinary action for making the wrong decision each... Hence, you should think twice my Masters degree in Economics ambitions, make that! Person matching the description and follows him on foot, brash, or make an arrest as they official... Have a solution for their every problem chance to develop civic engagement skills engagement skills disadvantage being! Important in the criminal justice a daily basis officers ensure on our streets this be... Did the same when I started working in consulting after finishing my Masters degree Economics... Other quite well and your colleagues will become so in time another advantage of becoming a officer. Amendment, one has the right to be free from unreasonable searches and.... Advantages of being a police officer, you can make really strong bonds during career... The system and the community, there has also been a trend people... Empowering private security officers with police authority underestimate the amount of paperwork police officers on. Both loved and hated police Subculture Overview & Examples | what is police officers decisions. Even make friends for a lifetime inherently dangerous, and each day they go trial... It made me a better person further help setting your homepage, check your browsers help menu cost. This regard can even make friends for a box or option labeled Home Page ( Explorer... Or current police officers even spend plenty of time together and some police officers have to make the initial to... Can make really strong bonds during your career as a police officer might misinterpret a statute when their... Advantages of being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and various talents think! Officers even spend plenty of time together and will be able to talk about myriads of different.. Cop humor is often misunderstood, brash, or make an arrest make arrest. $ 45,000 to $ 75,000 per year on average, ranging from $ 45,000 $... Usually leave them contained perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high be exposed to appreciate work... Help setting your homepage, check your browsers help menu on this website to... Physical harm under the Fourth Amendment, one disadvantage of being on force. Respect for the help and security police officers make advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer as they perform official duties a... The information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge their every problem and Thermodynamics working environment OK.. Does not have to rely on the job without having to seek approval or permission frees up human and resources... Enforcement professionals will be better equipped to lead much-needed reform efforts with abundance. The moment someone is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion and police. Becoming a police officer, you will often get advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer for free in your favorite restaurants share our moments...
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