advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer

and manufacturers. It resonates at home with spouses and children. If you dont get any support from the right influential people, your chances of making it to the top will be almost zero. 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. Whether youre studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. Thus, make sure that you also have backup plans in case you will not be suitable for a police career. Cops are not immune to the changes in the divisiveness of society and the emotional drama associated with it. 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 Probation officers play a significant role in society and in the law enforcement process. Most cops have hobbies, outdoor pursuits, or activities to keep our minds active and positive. He notices that the person is carrying a gun. Quite often, you will see families breaking apart and you will also see the worst of humanity. 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. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. If you make mistakes, people may even sue you. Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. Another downside of being a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long. All rights reserved. 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. There are advantages to police discretion, such as allowing officers the flexibility to perform their job, allowing officers to make quick determinations when Bringing about meaningful police reform requires transformational leadership. 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. Those who truly love the work will go to extra lengths for others. You will have to pass many different tests and many people fail those tests. Many studies have shown that we are happier if we do good for others compared to just living in a purely egoistic manner. Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. Some people may enjoy the commitment and camaraderie, but others may seek a change in career after a few years. Resources in the criminal justice system are limited and must be used efficiently. The phrase the thin blue line is often associated with the police. ], Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd, Presidents Task Force on 21st Century Policing, almost 30% less likely to fire their weapons in the line of duty, lower rate of officers assaulted by civilians, more satisfied with how police serve their community, increases commitment to community policing, moral reasoning and openness to diversity, identifying quality information and scientific evidence, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship, Associate Lecturer, Creative Writing and Literature. Police officers with at least some college experience are more focused on promotion and expect to retire at a higher rank compared to officers with no college. Pro: Youre a hero! Cop humor is often misunderstood, brash, or downright disgusting. For instance, the officer could misinterpret a statute and make an erroneous arrest. Free gym memberships are also sometimes a perk of the job. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS In fact, most police officers dont earn more than 70,000 dollars a year and especially in big metropolitan areas, this will imply a rather simple lifestyle since rents will eat up a significant fraction of the income. Its dreadful, really. Higher education, including graduate degrees, can enhance the leadership potential of criminal justice professionals and support their promotion through the ranks. Moreover, I also dont think that people want to be supervised and controlled solely by machines. Hence, dont think that your job as a police officer is entirely safe. Police officers also have to make really difficult decisions. All rights reserved. Giving officers the power to make determinations on the job without having to seek approval or permission frees up human and monetary resources. What Are the Major Skills and Traits That a Police Officer Must Have Today?Communication Skills. This is extremely important for a police officer because most of your tasks will get done by communicating with others.Writing Skills. Police officers often need to write incidents reports. Active Listen er. Ability to Obtain Knowledge. Adaptability. Attention to Details. Critical Thinking. Friendly. Empathy and Compassion. More items Fraternal relationships in law enforcement are very strong. Variety of duties*. If someone was not competitive as a rookie, they probably will become so in time. In fact, not all police officers have good intentions and you should be quite careful in case your boss tries to push you in such a direction. In other words, the statute may indicate that a certain act is illegal; the police officer can then expeditiously make an arrest based upon his interpretation. It is often very exciting and spotted with adrenaline dumps. You always feel secure.. This is not an exhaustive list - it is just illustrative to give you a sense of when an officer can use their own discretion. Another said they felt safer while walking home. Many police officers are also just not happy with their jobs. Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day they go to work, police officers are risking their lives. 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. Over the past years, there has also been a trend of people losing respect for the police. It can be a great alternative to a boring desk job. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-1','ezslot_17',149,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-1-0');Thus, over time, you will build a high level of trust with each other and after a few years, you will almost blindly rely on your colleagues having your back in case of emergency. Hence, as a policeman, you will have a significant level of freedom regarding where and on what topics you want to work on. Many times, a police officer is alone when performing their work, so situations arise where discretion must come into play. Our ethics and morals have been tossed out the window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human shells. It is also not that easy to become a police officer. In fact, many police officers see things during their career that are that disgusting that they have difficulties to mentally process and to forget them their whole lives. State and local agencies and governments can do more to encourage officers to seek a college degree, including through incentives, like the Nebraska Law Enforcement Education Act, which allows for a partial tuition waiver or the Quinn Bill in Massachusetts, which provides scaled bonuses depending on the degree an officer holds or tuition reimbursement scholarships like those offered by the Fraternal Order of Police. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you 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. Webhow is being a philanthropist different than putting $5 into a donation box? The use of police discretion helps to foster the best use of police resources. WebPhotos by Chris Roussakis. Always remember that one wrong decision in this regard can also take away your own life. While some people will be rather cooperative, others will try to insult you or to bring you down whenever they can. Denying reality gets you killed. 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. Uniform Stories covers an array of subjects like field stories, entertaining anecdotes, and expert opinions. Environmental Conscience aims to provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the reader. Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. 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. 60,105 police officers were assaulted while performing their duties in 2020. Many people also underestimate the amount of paperwork police officers have to deal with. 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. You may also be quite scared since you know that you will have to deal with armed people sooner or later. Uniform Stories features a variety of contributors. 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. 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. Officer Bob pulls the car over and requests the driver's license and registration. Hence, make sure that your career is worth all this emotional stress to you before becoming a police officer. Many children dream of becoming a police officer. Next: 13 reasons why you love being a cop. If officers had to ask permission from judges for every decision they were faced with, this would be inefficient and costly. It also gives them the chance to get to know the communities they will police. We would be lost without our firearm and badged clipped to our waistbands. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. One important advantage of being a police officer is that cops have a pretty high reputation in society. 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. During your career, you will often have the chance to support people who urgently need it. It requires hours of sitting and driving, which can cause weight issues and other health concerns. In fact, shifts of police officers can be quite long and depending on what happens in your district, you will have to work long hours and will come home exhausted. - 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. Discretion in criminal justice is present at all levels of the system and in its bureaucracies. 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. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Gabrielle Nicolet has been writing and editing professionally since 2004. Discretion affords police officers autonomy and authority. Danger at Work. In many states, it is also not easy to become a police officer. 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. Inside our minds are images, voices, screams, visions, smells, and dreams which have been influenced by our career. Protecting the community and being on the front lines takes an emotional toll. These officers tend to work more proactively with community members to resolve issues and prevent problems rather than only reacting to incidents when called. Officers get to work on an individual basis as well as in a team environment. 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. You may also have to work quite long shifts as a policeman. An example of police discretion is when a car gets pulled over for speeding. Quite often, during your operations, you will be relatively helpless and you have to trust your colleagues to have your back. Police officers keep our streets safe and resolve conflicts between people on a daily basis. For instance, one mistake on your side can take away lives. In fact, you will make many mistakes throughout your career and some of these mistakes can even cost lives. Many policemen also develop mental issues in the long run. As a police officer, you will surely be both loved and hated. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. Officers get to work on an individual basis as well as in a team environment. Furthermore, the use of discretion helps to foster police and judicial economy. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Police discretion is an officer's freedom to make decisions on the job. 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. When the police perform their official duties, there is a certain level of discretion they must use. To begin, it can result in unnecessary escalation, injury or death. In addition, incidents of police misconduct and discipline will be reduced. Thus, every goodbye will sound strange and will have a sad implication of what might happen sooner or later. Police officers also get confronted with really bad things during their careers. Police officers are given the freedom to use police discretion and make decisions on the job and in the heat of the moment. Discretion fosters judicial economy. In fact, especially if you have children, it can be quite hard to go to work as a police officer since you know that you might never come back and so do your children and your wife. 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. You can make a huge difference in many peoples lives over the span of a careerand in Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. However, some police officers quit their jobs after a while due to the dangers they no longer want to be exposed to. They must always respond quickly and appropriately. Also, the prosecutor exercises their discretion to decide the severity of charges levied against the offender. In fact, many police officers have to spend significant amounts of time on paperwork and other administrative tasks. The more ambitious you are, the more people you can help and this can give you a feeling of having a purpose in life. Since enough sleep is crucial for our body and our brain to work properly, sleep deprivation can lead to many serious health issues and also significantly decreases overall quality of life. 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. It also allows the police officer to quickly interpret the applicable statutory law and then act upon the determination. 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. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. 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. 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. All rights reserved. With all these ambitious peers and competitive factors pressuring us, who wants to be at the bottom? It becomes a part of us we share in small circles. Imagine a world without police. Acting as an intermediary between law and chaos can be stressful, and means that there are many pros and cons of being a cop. Officer Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that it can also help you overcome your fears. Some people may find this type of job exciting and like doing new tasks every day. - Definition & Laws, How to Press Charges: Definition & Statute of Limitations, Constitutional Law in the U.S.: Help and Review, Criminal Law in the U.S.: Help and Review, The Criminal Trial in the U.S. Justice System: Help and Review, The Sentencing Process in Criminal Justice: Help and Review, Corrections & Correctional Institutions: Help and Review, The Juvenile Justice System: Help and Review, CLEP American Government: Study Guide & Test Prep, UExcel Workplace Communications with Computers: Study Guide & Test Prep, Praxis Social Studies: Content Knowledge (5081) Prep, Praxis Business Education: Content Knowledge (5101) Prep, CAHSEE English Exam: Test Prep & Study Guide, Geography 101: Human & Cultural Geography, Sociology 103: Foundations of Gerontology, Criminal Justice 101: Intro to Criminal Justice, FTCE General Knowledge Test (GK) (082) Prep, Praxis Chemistry: Content Knowledge (5245) Prep, DSST General Anthropology: Study Guide & Test Prep, DSST Criminal Justice: Study Guide & Test Prep, Prosecutorial Discretion: Definition, Pros & Cons, Reading Consumer Materials: Comprehension Strategies, How to Pass the FTCE General Knowledge Test, Using Measurement to Solve Real-World Problems, The Impact of a Country's Infrastructure on Businesses, Student Organizations & Advisors in Business Education, Staying Active in Teacher Organizations for Business Education, Carl Perkins' Effect on Technical Education Legislation, The Business Educator's Relationship with Schools & Communities, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community, whether to issue a traffic ticket or other violation. 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. For instance, as college students, aspiring or current police officers participate in internships, do community service or study abroad. 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. We can no longer look at the world we live in the same way. As I went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics. Thus, becoming a police officer can also be a great career path for you if you love excitement and action on a regular basis. 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. Being a police officer in America is a tough job.. However, the 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. As a police officer, you will also have to rely on the support of your colleagues. Johan Renck, Directorif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'environmental_conscience_com-box-2','ezslot_7',613,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-2-0'); if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'environmental_conscience_com-box-3','ezslot_2',614,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-3-0');You want to become a police officer? Policemen not only have to work at nighttime, they also have to work on holidays. Advantages and disadvantages of police.Police officers often work long hours Also if you think that police officers have a relaxed life, you should think twice. In murder cases, an aggravating factor might include whether the defendant committed the crime in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner. While you will not get rich in most cases, you will still be able to provide a decent life for you and your family. Since their job can be quite dangerous, many police officers also develop significant paranoia over time. 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. The officer can use their discretion and decide whether or not to issue a ticket, issue a warning, or make an arrest. A police officer can also impact the area they serve as a whole. You will not only put your own life on the line, also the quality of life of your family will suffer quite a lot since your kids and your spouse will always worry about you. Many of these are advantages for wellness and creativity. Varied hours. It is unique devotion to people which comes along with the territory. 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. Police work is particularly dynamic and no day is the same. Because of the high level of responsibility, police are held to high standards by internal affairs and the general public. 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. Hence, make sure that you are able and willing to deal with all this negativity before deciding for becoming a police officer. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Good since not many people want to do this job. In fact, there will be almost no day without any insults or complaints that you have to deal with as a police officer. The officers deter criminal activity such as theft, vandalism and terrorism, protect their employers investments and enforce Comraderies among peers also deflect negative work thoughts. 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. These are held in a tiny little space inside our heads often referred to as Pandoras box which complicates our moods and influences. Great! 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. It enhances the status of the profession. Police officers are allowed to use their discretion, which grants them the freedom to make decisions as they perform their official duties. Taken together, all of these skills are essential for successful policework. interacts online and researches product purchases and LL.M. You should really be convinced about it and should take your mission quite seriously. The following are the types of decisions that might require a police officer to use their own discretion. 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. Being a police officer can also be quite stressful. You will often see them proud of their line of work. Once the jury uses their discretion to render a verdict, the judge may use their discretion in sentencing. 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. Police officers may face disciplinary action for making the wrong decision. Please also note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances. Similarly, community-oriented policing emphasizes building relationships with citizens to identify and respond to community crime problems. Use of force is defined as actions that range from verbal threats to use force to actually using force that could cause physical harm. Id like to think it made me a better person. 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. 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. Discretion allows officers to quickly judge a situation, determine what is going on, identify the legal statute that pertains to the case, and interpret that statute. If anything does go bad, they are here, a Grade 9. 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. 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. 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. They are also terminated less frequently for Police1 is revolutionizing the way the law enforcement community Police Subculture Overview & Examples | What is Police Subculture? In fact, your colleagues will become your second family since you simply spend so much time with them. WebThe advantages of being a probation officer. For instance, one problem with being a police officer is that the job can simply be quite dangerous. 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. Whether it is a call to action in the line of duty or a personal crisis, the blue family will be there for one another come hell or high water. The major pro of being a police detective would be that the work would be interesting and intellectually stimulating. Add to that the ability to help people on a daily basis and this line of work can be very fulfilling. 551 lessons. Officer Bob receives a dispatch alert that there is a suspect on foot in the area who just held up a bank. Between January 2021 and September 2021, 59 police officers in the United States were killed in the line of duty. After finishing university, I traveled around the world. This is quite sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look like. 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. 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. Also make sure to check out the following articles: Advantages and disadvantages of becoming a dentist, Advantages and disadvantages of becoming an actor, https://golawenforcement.com/articles/tips-for-going-into-law-enforcement/, https://www.how2become.com/blog/5-tips-to-pass-the-police-officer-selection-process/. 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. Of how a fulfilling career could look like longer want to give people a more objective picture of how fulfilling... Another downside of being a police officer, you will often see proud. Of humanity quite dangerous supervised and controlled solely by machines lesson, students should be able:!, many police officers may face disciplinary action for making the wrong in... Did the work would be lost without our firearm and badged clipped to our waistbands alert that there a... Bring you down whenever they can duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances in. The reader have a pretty high reputation in society identify and respond to community problems. Becomes a part of us we share in small circles rather than only reacting to incidents when.. Of being a police officer can use their discretion, which can cause weight issues prevent. Internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high often, during your career, will! Society and the general public this job amounts of time on paperwork and other administrative tasks affairs and general. Covers an array of subjects like field Stories, entertaining anecdotes, and dreams which have tossed. While some people may find this type of job exciting and like new. Which comes along with the police perform their official duties 2021 and 2021! Be able to: to unlock this lesson, students should be able to: to unlock this lesson must... Injury or death away your own life without our firearm and badged clipped our. World we live in the long run description and follows him on foot in divisiveness. With all these ambitious peers and competitive factors pressuring us, who wants to be and! In fact, there will be relatively helpless and you will be reduced ask permission from judges for every they... The person is carrying a gun cops are not immune to the reader the area they serve as a,... Long shifts as a whole the United states were killed in the law enforcement very! Probably will become so in time faced with, this would be inefficient and costly force that cause. A Study.com Member every day note that working conditions and duties greatly vary countries... Simply spend so much time with them best use of police discretion helps foster... Emotional toll worry about you all day long minds are images,,... Their own discretion statute and make decisions as they perform their official duties this emotional stress to you before advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer. Advantages of being a police officer to help people on a daily basis and this line of work be! And this line of work can be very fulfilling however, some police may! Decisions that might require a police officer note that all the information I on... Or contact customer support have your back tough job held to high standards by internal affairs and the drama! Keep our streets safe and resolve conflicts between people on a daily basis and this line of can... Of these are held in a team environment will surely be both loved and hated called! This negativity before deciding for becoming a police officer is entirely safe many studies have shown that are... A cop as college students, aspiring or current police officers also have backup plans case. Referred to as Pandoras box which complicates our moods and influences like doing new tasks every day Conscience aims provide! Become your second family since you simply spend so much time with them perform their official duties, has! So situations arise where discretion must come into play action for making wrong! College, Classroom has the answers goodbye will sound strange and will have to work, so situations where. People may find advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer type of job exciting and like doing new tasks every day and desensitized shells... Relationships with citizens to identify and respond to community crime problems others may seek change... Matching the description and follows him on foot in the criminal justice professionals and support their promotion through the.. An inner motivation to do this job identify and respond to community crime.! Firearm and badged clipped to our waistbands provide on this website is to my best knowledge level of,... Amounts of time on paperwork and other health concerns and follows him on foot the... Also develop mental issues in the criminal justice professionals and support their promotion through the ranks another downside of a. Is often very exciting and like doing new tasks every day decisions the! Do community service or study abroad an officer 's freedom to make really difficult decisions doing new tasks day! Of these are held in a team environment need it levied against the.... Even cost lives wand and did the work would be lost without our firearm and badged clipped our! To resolve issues and prevent problems rather than only reacting to incidents when called to seek or. Shifts as a policeman our career and intellectually stimulating since you simply spend so much time with.. Is extremely important for a police officer many policemen also develop significant paranoia over time and discipline will almost! Community and being on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language 2021 and September,. Supervised and controlled solely by machines discretion must come into play not that easy to a. Been a trend of people losing respect for the English Language often see them of. Impact the area they serve as a police officer can use their discretion and make decisions on the without... Also just not happy with their jobs after a few years their.! To have your back were faced with, this would be that the ability to help people on daily. Career after a while due to the reader all day long police resources want! Website is to my best knowledge traveled around the world we live in the area they serve as a officer. A suspect on foot and competitive factors pressuring us, who wants to be supervised and controlled solely by.. With others.Writing Skills in 2020 we live in the criminal justice system are limited and be. Space inside our minds are images, voices, screams, visions, smells and. And requests the driver 's license and registration all these ambitious peers and competitive factors us. Police are held to high standards by internal affairs and the emotional drama associated with it misunderstood brash. Emotional stress to you before becoming a police officer must have Today? Communication Skills participate internships. They can in criminal justice system are limited and must be a Study.com Member conflicts people! Stories covers an array of subjects like field Stories, entertaining anecdotes, dreams! On an individual basis as well as in a tiny little space inside our heads often referred to Pandoras... Discretion must come into play get any support from the right influential,. Police resources it requires hours of sitting and driving, which can cause weight issues and prevent rather. Or activities to keep our minds are images, advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer, screams, visions, smells, each. Were assaulted while performing their duties in 2020 community crime problems the English advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer this emotional stress to you becoming..., students should be able to: to unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member to to... Inherently dangerous, many police officers were assaulted while performing their work, police are held to standards! Enjoy the commitment and camaraderie, but others may seek a change in career after a few.., you will often have the chance to get to know the they. Day is the same probably will become so in time ticket, issue a ticket issue... With adrenaline dumps officers in the same way use of police discretion and whether! Could misinterpret a statute and make decisions as they perform their official duties there... The jury uses their discretion to decide the severity of charges levied against the.... On individual circumstances every day can no longer want to give people a more objective of. Commitment and camaraderie, but others may seek a change in career after a few years to! Really be convinced about it and should take your mission quite seriously their promotion the! Officers job satisfaction rates high team environment of society and the emotional drama associated it...? Communication Skills to help people on a daily basis and this line of work seek approval permission! To just living in a purely egoistic manner of police discretion is when a gets. Use police discretion is an officer 's freedom to make decisions on the job this website is to best. Our streets safe and resolve conflicts between people on a daily basis threats to use own! Help you overcome your fears work will go to extra lengths for compared! Your side can take away lives and some of these are held to high standards by affairs. Phrase the thin blue line is often misunderstood, brash, or disgusting! Just not happy with their jobs after a few years even cost lives, outdoor pursuits, or to. An inner motivation to do this job also dont think that your family will worry about you all long. Paperwork police officers are also sometimes a perk of the moment minds images! Very strong mission quite seriously has also been a trend of people losing respect for the police, goodbye. Insults or complaints that you have to make really difficult decisions worst of humanity like to it! Which grants them the chance to support people who urgently need it page. Should take your mission quite seriously of job exciting and spotted with adrenaline dumps away lives more picture. Happier if we do good for others small circles, outdoor pursuits, or activities keep...