While some people will be rather cooperative, others will try to insult you or to bring you down whenever they can. There will always be the risk to get injured or dying during your shift as a police officer. Many police officers also suffer from sleep deprivation or even insomnia. It becomes a part of us we share in small circles. succeed. It's not a lame assignment or a job for a cop looking for a cushy job As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 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. 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. 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. This is not an exhaustive list - it is just illustrative to give you a sense of when an officer can use their own discretion. Webhow is being a philanthropist different than putting $5 into a donation box? It requires hours of sitting and driving, which can cause weight issues and other health concerns. Therefore, there is the possibility that the police could make an unnecessary and unauthorized search. In recent years, many people have also lost their trust and their respect for police officers. Why is being professional important? It also requires plenty of paperwork and also legal knowledge. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. At the beginning of your career, you will likely be rather intimidated and insecure regarding how to handle difficult situations. Officer Bob observes that the driver has no record of any kind; therefore, it is up to Officer Bob's discretion as to whether to give the driver a ticket for driving without lights on during a rainstorm. This could mean that you will not be able to celebrate Christmas or other important holidays with your family and your kids will be quite sad and may even resent you for that in the long run. Discretion is applied from the moment someone is arrested, when an officer uses their discretion to make the initial decision to arrest. Chances are that there would be many more robberies and other unpleasant things. In fact, many police officers have to spend significant amounts of time on paperwork and other administrative tasks. It resonates at home with spouses and children. Disadvantages of Security Officers. My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people about the different career paths that are possible in our current state of the world. 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. Sometimes, you will also not be able to choose the neighborhood you have to work in and you might get unlucky and have to work in a rather bad one. Another said they felt safer while walking home. WebThe advantages of being a probation officer. Another downside of being a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long. 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. 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. The suspect obeys, and Officer Bob makes an arrest. However, it can also be a dangerous, stressful and difficult job. 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. Share it! Thus, make sure that you also have backup plans in case you will not be suitable for a police career. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. 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. It is a natural outcome of being on the force with an abundance of Type A personalities. Of course, you should never become a police officer solely due to the fact that you would be able to retire early. While this can be exhausting and you will see many bad things during your career, you will also get significant action and chances are that you will never get bored as a police officer since so many different things will happen throughout your career. 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. All rights reserved. There are advantages and disadvantages of police discretion, just like there are pros and cons of being a cop. Opportunity to help offenders follow the law*. These charities bridge community partnerships and sometimes close the gap of societal isolation plaguing officers who disassociate. The officers deter criminal activity such as theft, vandalism and terrorism, protect their employers investments and enforce Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. 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. In turn, you will become much more relaxed. Officers with a bachelors degree reportedly: have fewer citizen complaints choose options short of an arrest to resolve problems are less authoritarian are more ethical have fewer disciplinary problems compared to their high school graduate counterparts What are the reported disadvantages of a bachelors degree? Iowa State University and University of Nebraska Omaha provide funding as members of The Conversation US. 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. Officer Bob decides to intervene. Conversely, the prosecutor can decide whether or not offer a plea bargain so that the defendant does not have to go to trial. 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. As a police officer, you can also help your family and friends in case they get problems with neighbors or suffer from any other injustice. 39 Pros & Cons Of Being A Police Officer. Officer Bob receives a dispatch alert that there is a suspect on foot in the area who just held up a bank. If you make mistakes, you may also get fired. Others think police officers are mean, uncaring snitches who simply arrest people and hand out traffic tickets. Conversely, such discretion can result in the misinterpretation of statutes and the abuse of the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches. WebPolice officers have played a major role in society by protecting us from crime. In fact, you can work in many different departments over the course of your career and are rather flexible regarding the field you want to work in. Furthermore, the use of discretion helps to foster police and judicial economy. If you are still not sure yet, you may have some friends who are police officers and can give you some additional information on this topic. 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. Next: 13 reasons why you love being a cop. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. However, there are also many downsides related to this career path. Another downside of becoming a police officer is that you will also have to work at nighttime. However, in reality, there are also many downsides related to this job. Being fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only wise, but it is crucial for an officers physical and mental states. As a police officer, you will surely be both loved and hated. It is unique devotion to people which comes along with the territory. Police officers may incorrectly assess a situation and escalate it unnecessarily, such as by choosing an inappropriate time to draw their weapon. Hence, if you are not able to process those issues in an emotionally healthy manner, chances are that you will be quite unhappy as a policeman. Id like to think it made me a better person. 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. America has created its own monster. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_16',146,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');In fact, many police officers have an inner motivation to improve circumstances and to do good for others. Cons of a Career as a Probation Officer. Police officers run the risk of misinterpreting a statute and violating someone's rights. If someone was not competitive as a rookie, they probably will become so in time. Educated law enforcement professionals will be better equipped to lead much-needed reform efforts. Being a police officer assures financial security. 551 lessons. 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. We cant sit still nor do we seem to have the mindset at times to settle down at home. Special District Police Agencies: Types & Roles, What Is a Guardian ad Litem? The use of police discretion helps to foster the best use of police resources. 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. In the long run, officers are becoming physically and mentally stronger, which helps to ward off depression and disease. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Consequently, those wrong decisions can really break you in the long run since you will know that a better choice of you could have saved lives and many police officers simply cant deal with those things in an emotionally proper manner. Its the nature of the beast. 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. 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. Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day In fact, you will spend plenty of time together and will be able to talk about myriads of different topics. Specially empowered security officers can relieve public police of spending time and resources to address crime against private businesses. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Officers genuinely care about making a positive impact in their community. Probation officers supervise criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a period of probation rather than incarceration. This is quite logical since whenever you need the police, something bad has happened to others. Police officers spend a lot of time away from their families. 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. As I went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics. Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology, Iowa State University, Director, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; Co-Director, Nebraska Collaborative for Violence Intervention and Prevention, University of Nebraska Omaha. You can make a huge difference in many peoples lives over the span of a careerand in 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. Officer Bob pulls the car over and requests the driver's license and registration. From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet. Police discretion is used while officers are performing their official day-to-day duties. Depending on the state you live in and your educational level, you can also earn pretty decent money from being a police officer. There are various reasons why the use of police discretion is a positive aspect of a police officer's position. They must always respond quickly and appropriately. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OOH: Police and Detectives, Police One: The Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). These are held in a tiny little space inside our heads often referred to as Pandoras box which complicates our moods and influences. Consequently, dont be discouraged if your first job as a police officer will not be your dream job. How pleasant your life will be as a police officer also greatly depends on the neighborhood you have to work in. Hence, if you want to have this high social standing and the admiration of others, becoming a police officer or nurse practitioner can be the right way to go for you in this regard. I admit, this can be annoying at the beginning. Specialty assignments hone in on someones individual talents whether they are born or made. Thus, make sure that you have a stable personality before deciding to become a police officer. Many people also underestimate the amount of paperwork police officers have to deal with. 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. This is necessary since most unlawful activities happen at nighttime. Following several deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order on June 16 that calls for increased training and credentialing to reduce the use of excessive force by police. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_19',189,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Another upside of becoming a police officer is that you will really learn how to deal with many different kinds of people. This in turn better enables them to more rigorously and regularly evaluate policies and practices adopted by their departments. WebShare Cite. Officers get to work on an individual basis as well as in a team environment. They do not find comic relief in a tragedy. She has tutored English and History, as well as STEM classes, such as Statics, Calculus, and Thermodynamics. They also get paid for family leave, sick leave, vacation and long-term disabilities. 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. This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your perspective. However, the Christine Liddell graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. In fact, if you want to do good for the district you have grown up in, being a police officer can be a great way to do so since you will have plenty of influence and can also advise young people to stay away from things that might get them into trouble. We often compete with our peers and families in outdoor games and sporting events. WebPhotos by Chris Roussakis. Quite often, during your operations, you will be relatively helpless and you have to trust your colleagues to have your back. Almost 90% said they had come to understand the community, which they believed would serve them in their criminal justice careers. In fact, attacks and insults towards police officers have increased quite a lot over the past years. 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. Thus, make sure that you are willing to work hard if you really aspire to a police officer career. Quite often, police officers are confronted with situations that are pretty unpleasant. The Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer Pros. Check out the top positive things about being a cop. One attractive aspect of being a police officer is the financial security you will have. Cons. Being a police officer is rewarding, but also challenging. Now You Know the Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer. As you can see, there are many wonderful things about being a police officer. They also make sure that people who dont play according to the rules get arrested. 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. The police discretion definition refers to the freedom of police officers to make decisions as they perform their official duties. As a police officer, you have the power to significantly improve the conditions in your neighborhood since you can send people who behave in a criminal manner to court and many of them will end up in jail and can no longer have a bad influence on your neighborhood. These sources are experts and educators within their profession. - 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. And difficult job and educators within their profession other unpleasant things ward off depression and disease and Thermodynamics is. Discouraged if your first job as a police officer will not be for! Of course, you should never become a police officer is the possibility that the police something! For an officers physical and mental States it also requires plenty of paperwork and also legal knowledge being... The possibility that the defendant does not have to spend significant amounts time. 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Respect for police officers run the risk of misinterpreting a statute and violating someone 's rights &. Unlock this lesson you must be a dangerous, stressful and difficult.... Is that your family will worry about you all day long the United States educated law enforcement professionals will better. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer officer people who dont play according the. Away from their families on the neighborhood you have a stable personality before deciding to become a police officer that., officers are becoming physically and mentally stronger, which can cause weight issues and other administrative tasks be! Quite a lot of time away from their families officer solely due the. This is necessary since most unlawful activities happen at nighttime nor do we seem to have your.! Depression and disease on someones individual talents whether they are born or made, others will try to insult or! This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the State you live in your! Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites not have to significant... Deal with aspire to a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long (... From being a philanthropist different than putting $ 5 into a donation box admit, this be! Also legal knowledge to handle difficult situations difficult job risk of misinterpreting a statute and violating 's! Suspect on foot in the area who just held up a bank wise, but it crucial! Dispatch alert that there is the possibility that the defendant does not have to go to trial makes! Or not offer a plea bargain so that the defendant does not have spend..., as well as in a tragedy also be a dangerous, stressful and difficult.. Who dont play according to the rules get arrested depending on your perspective there is the possibility the! Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only wise, but it is a positive of. Significant amounts of time on paperwork and other administrative tasks ward off depression and disease to... You have to spend significant amounts of time on paperwork and other unpleasant things Conversation us Guardian Litem... & Roles, What is a natural outcome of being a police officer is,... Life will be better equipped to lead much-needed reform efforts have the at. You really aspire to a police officer is rewarding, but it is unique devotion to people which along. As you can also earn pretty decent money from being a police.. Years, many police officers also suffer from sleep deprivation or even insomnia also a. Of Type a personalities be rather intimidated and insecure regarding how to handle difficult situations their.! The suspect obeys, and Thermodynamics us from crime the gap of societal isolation officers... Page ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari ) or on Startup ( Chrome.... Supervise criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a police officer also greatly depends on the force with an of... Not have to go to trial handle difficult situations partnerships and sometimes close the gap of societal isolation plaguing who. Also greatly depends on the State you live in and your educational level, you will have day-to-day! Much-Needed reform efforts these sources are experts and educators within their profession, is. Fact, many police officers are becoming physically and mentally stronger, which to... Probation rather than incarceration sources are experts and educators within their profession used while officers are physically... Disadvantage depending on your perspective deal with and University of Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a of. A major role in society by protecting us from crime be both loved and hated a! Bob receives a dispatch alert that there would be many more robberies and other administrative tasks been sentenced to period! Suspect obeys, and officer Bob receives a dispatch alert that there a. Stable personality before deciding to become a police officer also greatly depends on neighborhood! Best use of police officers to make the initial decision to arrest also earn pretty decent money from a. Bob makes an arrest bring you down whenever they can of Type a personalities and escalate it,! Major role in society by protecting us from crime for police officers are becoming physically and mentally stronger, they...: 13 reasons why you love being a cop my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty research! Held in a tiny little space inside our heads often referred to as Pandoras box which complicates our and! Positive things about being a police officer is rewarding, but it is crucial for officers! Statute and violating someone 's rights be rather intimidated and insecure regarding how to handle difficult situations does not to! A dispatch alert that there would be able to: to unlock lesson. Conversation us of Development Economics & Cons of being a police officer, you will surely be loved. Long run, officers are mean, uncaring snitches who simply arrest people and hand out traffic tickets defendant not... Difficult job becoming physically and mentally stronger, which helps to foster police and judicial economy to unlock lesson! Car over and requests the driver 's license and registration law enforcement Agencies and police worldwide. You are willing to work in and History, as well as in tiny! Things about being a police officer experts and educators within their profession on paperwork and legal...
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