Imagine that Officer Bob is on patrol in an area known for drug trafficking. 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. 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. Similarly, researchers have found that officers with at least a two-year degree were 40% less likely to lose their jobs due to misconduct. Another downside of becoming a police officer is that you will also have to work at nighttime. If you make mistakes, you may also get fired. As a policeman, you will also have the power to do good for others. There are advantages and disadvantages of police discretion, just like there are pros and cons of being a cop. WebAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Police Officers Working Without Uniform Intellectual stimulation One benefit of the detective career is the intellectual stimulation and They are also terminated less frequently for At the beginning of your career, you will likely be rather intimidated and insecure regarding how to handle difficult situations. Though each day is going to be different as a police officer, some people might rather have a more predictable, mundane type of job. 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. It enhances the status of the profession. 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. In many states, it is also not easy to become a police officer. 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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. Consequently, apart from your decent salary, you will also be able to save money on many occasions in your daily life, which makes becoming a police officer even more attractive from a financial standpoint. 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. The job requires long hours, and many officers spend their lives on the force. WebPros of a Career as a Probation Officer. Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Policing is a very interesting job and the situations officers face change constantly. This can be rather unclear in many situations and one mistake in this regard can even cost your life. Many police officers also suffer from serious mental issues. 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. This is quite logical since whenever you need the police, something bad has happened to others. However, from these experiences, you can really learn how to handle those situations and you can grow in character. Many police officers are also not happy with their overall working environment. 1. You will often see them proud of their line of work. Police officers toe the thin blue line between lawfulness and illegal acts, due to their unique position in society. The officer can use their discretion and decide whether or not to issue a ticket, issue a warning, or make an arrest. Webnational police and troopers association; Community. Discretion fosters judicial economy. In fact, there are countless career opportunities out there and you should just choose the one that seems to be right for you. We often compete with our peers and families in outdoor games and sporting events. Since police officers enjoy a high reputation among the general public, they often get additional perks. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that you will also stay quite fit during your active career. In fact, you will only be called if there are problems to solve and you will not see many nice things during your career as a policeman. I did the same when I started working in consulting after finishing my Masters degree in Economics. Police discretion is police officers' freedom to make decisions as they perform official duties on a daily basis. Police officers can keep their neighborhoods safe, Police officers get high levels of responsibility, Plenty of different fields you can work in, You learn how to deal with difficult people, Police officers get action on a regular basis, You will become really good friends with your colleagues, Most police officers have a high fitness level, Police officers can retire relatively early, Many people have lost respect for the police, You can lose your job due to one big mistake, Being a police officer is not the safest job, Police officers have to work at nighttime, Many police officers suffer from sleeping problems, Some police officers cant deal with events from the past, Especially problematic if you have to work in bad neighborhoods, Police officers have to deal with plenty of paperwork, Top 10 Being a Policeman Pros & Cons Summary List, salary, prospects, future outlook, educational requirements, duties, responsibilities, work-life balance and job satisfaction of police officers, 10 Smart Things To Do After Failing An Art Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing An Economics Degree, 18 Things To Do After Failing Your Communication Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Education Degree, 19 Things To Do After Failing Your Engineering Degree, 19 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Biology Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Psychology Degree, 18 Smart Things To Do After Failing Your Business Degree, 33 Key Pros & Cons Of Being A Casino Dealer, 31 Key Pros & Cons Of Being An Underwriter, 30 Noble Pros & Cons Of Working For A Hedge Fund, 32 Nerdy Pros & Cons Of Being A Data Scientist, 31 Key Pros & Cons Of Being A Loan Officer. Among students who participated in a criminal justice service-learning course working with young people in the community, 80% reported a change from stereotypical assumptions that all of them would be criminals to a better understanding of them as individuals with goals and potential - some not so different from the students own dreams. Hence, you can make really strong bonds during your career as a police officer and can even make friends for a lifetime. Its the nature of the beast. Many police officers just have a hard time dealing with this fact and try to suppress it. 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. Of course, you should never become a police officer solely due to the fact that you would be able to retire early. What makes us this way? It should come as little surprise, then, that police administrators, including police chiefs, are more likely to hold college and post-graduate degrees. Everyone and everything is suspicious until proven otherwise. State Law Enforcement Agencies & Roles | What Is State Law Enforcement? You may also be quite scared since you know that you will have to deal with armed people sooner or later. 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. Special District Police Agencies: Types & Roles, What Is a Guardian ad Litem? In one study, officers with criminal justice degrees said their education helped them gain managerial skills. This is not an exhaustive list - it is just illustrative to give you a sense of when an officer can use their own discretion. 2017 shooting of an unarmed youth. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. They also make sure that people who dont play according to the rules get arrested. Police officers work long hours, often with irregular shifts, including night shifts. 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. Copyright 2023 We can no longer look at the world we live in the same way. Flexible working hours Many security officers have the opportunity to choose their own schedules or work Pro: Youre a hero! 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. As we can see from the previous chapter, there are definitely many important advantages of working as a police officer. It is a curse and a blessing. Read several examples of police discretion in use. It requires hours of sitting and driving, which can cause weight issues and other health concerns. Please also note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances. In fact, you will have the authority to stop injustice and unlawful behavior whenever you see it and can therefore improve the circumstances of the majority of people in our society. 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. An example of police discretion is when a car gets pulled over for speeding. Official websites use .gov Consequently, your family and friends will likely also have an easier time in their daily lives in general. 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. Most cops have hobbies, outdoor pursuits, or activities to keep our minds active and positive. Crime Measurement Programs: History & Nature, The History of Women & Minority Members in the Police Profession, Recruitment of Women & Minorities in Policing. During your career as a police officer, you will also learn quite a lot of patience. 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. Being a police officer also implies making difficult decisions. Expectation versus reality probably exists for all of us in different forms and fashions. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. It also requires plenty of paperwork and also legal knowledge. As a police officer, you will also become really good friends with your colleagues over time. Opportunity to help offenders follow the law*. He draws his weapon and orders the suspect to freeze. Regarding the use of force, officers whove graduated from college are almost 40% less likely to use force. Add to that the ability to help people on a daily basis and this line of work can be very fulfilling. They protect the community or certain neighborhoods and work to reduce crime rates. 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. Many citizens are shielded from the horrors we encounter. Police officers have a duty to serve and protect their communities, but some officers may be discouraged by the fact that crimes will continue to be committed no matter what. Whether youre studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. Professionalism in the police force has several positive impacts that include good service to the public, better pay for the constables, ethical conduct, strong community support as well as respect and a stronger role in a Criminal Justice System. There are, however, cons to police discretion, which include: Police can use their discretion when deciding whether or not to search a vehicle, but they may make the wrong determination and violate the rights of a person. Racing through traffic to crime scenes, risking being shot and approaching unsuspecting criminals are just some of the daily activities that make being a police officer dangerous. Research shows that, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints. 551 lessons. By arresting suspects and leading investigations, a police officer can keep the community safe from people who are committing crimes. This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your perspective. You can make a huge difference in many peoples lives over the span of a careerand in It also allows the police officer to quickly interpret the applicable statutory law and then act upon the determination. Similarly, community-oriented policing emphasizes building relationships with citizens to identify and respond to community crime problems. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. 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. 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