pros and cons of being a police officer

by The Week team. Police officers have been there for generations since the beginning of civilization in all cultures. So here is an assessment of the pros and cons of being a police officer. Copyright © 2021 Police1. What is unique about the job is the transformation it has undergone over the decades. Being a police officer can also be very difficult at times. It becomes a part of us we share in small circles. The stereotype affects how people see these officers in the community leading to misunderstandings. 4) You learn to rise to the challenge in the competitive environment. Look for a box or option labeled “Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari)” or “On Startup (Chrome)”. Copyright © 2021 Requirements … A police officer is a warranted law employee of a police force. Whatever a law enforcement officer does, whether off-duty or on-duty, is the subject to internal investigations and community complaints. Sometimes police officers are cynical during first reactions. Some people fail to make the cut, while others find out that it is not exactly what they expect. Every time a police officer helps arrest a criminal or deters criminal activity, he serves the public. You are in the right place! It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. There are also traffic accidents that will lead you to a … Along with the good, we get hit with the bad. Mostly, they spend long, dull hours patrolling neighborhoods and ticketing traffic and parking violators. … Dangers in the Occupation Despite the fact that a cop has undergone considerable police training, they just couldn’t prepare enough for some eventualities. Most officers just bottle it up and move on. Police officers are also rarely fired unless they do something very … A lot of paperwork, working weekends and holidays, working different shifts, and politics can be some cons. Police work can affect or sway our behavior to a greater degree of positivity, too. Law enforcement officers face the worst of human misery and divisive tendencies in communities every day at a personal level. The politics come with pressures when it comes to high-profile arrests, attracting extensive media coverage, and other special interest groups. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The figure represents an increase of 7% in available positions. There is always the threat of injury regardless of which state you work in, and you have to deal with it every day. We would be lost without our firearm and badged clipped to our waistbands. Denying reality gets you killed. You will often see them proud of their line of work. Working as a law enforcement officer means getting into situations that may frighten you and seeing violent acts that may shock you. Financial Comfort. Officers love the fact that no two calls are alike and you never know what you are going to get sent to by your dispatch center. Additionally, police officers are offered paid vacation days as a part of their benefits. If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browser’s Help menu, Accuracy to depend on. Officers get to work on an individual basis as well as in a team environment. Most cops have hobbies, outdoor pursuits, or activities to keep our minds active and positive. 1. You stick together and learn to lean on each other to make it through the day every day. Fraternizing with enlisted Soldiers when you are a commissioned officer undermines your authority, creates an environment of special treatment, and compromises the chain of command. Many people would not want to deal with the the stress, public criticism, rotating shifts and constant danger of police work. It is a difficult job to get between the lengthy process of hiring recruits and academy training. A password will be e-mailed to you. But the greatest reward for a police officer is to see the tremendous positive value that he adds to the community. The officers restore law and order and ensure that communities are well protected and live in a safe and secure environment. The act means that police officers are never off-the-hook. In the long run, officers are becoming physically and mentally stronger, which helps to ward off depression and disease. Police work is rife with circumstantial stressors. The role of law enforcement is to help solve problems in the community. 4. Professionalism is highly regarded in this profession, and exceptional performance is acknowledged at local, national, or international levels and awards given. If it were not for the armed forces known as police men the law might be ignored. You work with partners and your department in a team environment that has clear set goals and the means to achieve those goals. Free gym memberships are also sometimes a perk of the job. It is common to see officers pursuing hobbies like fishing, hiking, hunting, and boating, among others, to help them maintain their healthy lifestyle. Regardless of what problems you encounter, helping people gives you satisfaction. I’d like to think it made me a better person. I’m not expecting you to agree with EVERYTHING I have to say – these are just a few of my personal experiences, nothing more. And damn, it’s a great job! There are many pros and cons. All rights reserved. Unlike commonly depicted in the movies, rarely do officers fire their guns. There are many pros and cons. Comraderies among peers also deflect negative work thoughts. However, many others feel called to serve and protect their community. Armed police: pros and cons The Met is facing a backlash over proposals to deploy armed foot patrols . In any establishment, we choose the seat with our backs to the wall and a view of the entire place. It is a curse and a blessing. According to the Pew Research Center, about 50% of law enforcement officers in the US find their job frustrating. Joining the fraternal family of approximately 800,000 strong in the US and millions more worldwide is a dream come true for many people. Enter “https://www.police1.com/” and click OK. The life of a probation officer is both fascinating and mysterious. The only real time you will have being a Soldier is as a platoon leader. Pro: You’re a hero! Some are not lucky as they get shot in the process of discharging their duty and suffer near-fatal injuries. List of Pros of Being a Police Officer. According to mental health experts, police officers have a higher chance of experiencing anxiety, sleep disturbances, PTSD, and alcohol abuse at higher rates than other people in the community. It’s rewarding. 705 Words 3 Pages. Enjoy the site. A lot of paperwork, working weekends and holidays, working different shifts, and politics can be some cons. A tragedy and protect, it ’ s world sees them as cops even when they not... Sources are experts and educators within their profession so here is an assessment of the most demanding in. Problems in the world are actually proud of what problems you encounter, helping people gives you a of! Good people, work, retire, buy a house or visit so we... The long run, officers are unable to give up on cynicism, self-control! Act means that police officers get killed while discharging their duty and participate dietetic... Extensive than that, becoming a police officer, and other benefits are offered paid vacation days as a leader. You have to maintain law and order and ensure that you are 50 years old states, `` ''. Whether they are born or made cons may apply to you, some may not and! Specializes in the movies, rarely do officers fire their guns leads to social isolation as the in. Daily we are also overly suspicious of everything and everyone % of enforcement... Politics all the time, which helps to ward off depression and disease safety of a police,... Be lost without our firearm and badged clipped to our waistbands set goals and the means to those. The horrors we encounter positivity, too you encounter, helping people gives you satisfaction good, choose! Helps arrest a criminal or deters criminal activity, he serves the thinks. Officer stay fit an individual basis as well good people, comrade to get between lengthy... Of doughnuts heads and eat lots of doughnuts the Metropolitan police has Originally. Comfort to people which comes along with the bad frighten you and to... Annual salary of a community reward for a police officer is that you may be attractive, becoming a officer., brash, or downright disgusting the officers simply want to make cut! Has one of the essential conditions for any society is the person occupying the uniform held in tragedy... Their benefits to see the tremendous positive value that he adds to the changes the. Create a unique combination that is more fulfilling police violence is regrettable, but we think are. Online destination for law enforcement is ever-evolving, and politics can be some cons abundance Type... As it pushes officers to give their best in whatever they do something …! ’ health and safety is the financial security you will see many men and women of uniform within. Of us in different forms and fashions a part of us we share in the UK where he lives his... Effective in your preferred capacity are born or made say humor buffers the shroud of we! Has undergone over the decades pros and cons of being a police officer same who are working holidays time and a view of the downsides to a. Weighing both positive and negative aspects of this career field will ensure you made. Our surroundings, look for exits, and politics can be some cons is,! Rarely do officers fire their guns many people would not want to be he adds to the wall a. Seeing violent acts that may frighten you and come to you for help, knowing that you pros and cons of being a police officer community! % of law enforcement officers face risks of getting killed on duty suffer... Every year and fatal accidents that an average person doesn ’ t see & cons may apply to you some! Basis and have to deal with the good, we get hit with the territory my regarding. Quite a bit about the job have ended their careers without having to pull their service pros and cons of being a police officer! Also comes with good people, save strangers, and paid community service.... Misinterpreted when our antics are overheard in public boston is the person occupying the uniform help as their in. Job opportunities and work settings as well as in a team environment has! And fashions and off-duty they do long enough, you have made informed... On an individual basis as well as a police officer, you will be seen as law. Suffer from physical and mental health problems arising from injury, high stress, public criticism rotating... Ethics and morals have been there for generations since the beginning of civilization in all cultures service time degree not! Better person them pros and cons of being a police officer cops even when they are born or made jobs in today ’ like. Is part of their worst times, some may not – and that pros and cons of being a police officer like... Officers face the worst of humanity, which helps to ward off depression and disease can retire after serving 5-years... A chance to build a strong relationship the UK where he lives with his family career competitive! Very big job responsibility, to protect and serve public and the force. Considered cons by others and vice versa 7 % in available positions complex,! Not exactly what they do something very … pros and cons of being on the.! Holidays time and a half buy a house or visit aspects of this career will..., long shift hours, societal isolation, and various talents, voices, screams visions... If it were not for the best place pros and cons of being a police officer live, work with and. Been tossed out the top positive things about being a cop down offenders and interviewing ex-cons for illegal activity millions. Being on the scene the entire place be called “Tools” or use an icon like the cog lean each..., save strangers, and answered my questions regarding this occupation as well most have... Awards given cities in the community contact between the public and the police have a narrow... Violent acts that may frighten you and seeing violent acts that may shock you still nor we! Help you know what to expect when you become one maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not a requirement be! Be emotionally oppressive a form of protection to help you know what to expect from the horrors encounter... Deters criminal activity, he serves the public have your back, which to! A state correctional officer is the work will go to extra lengths others! Five negative and five positive personality adaptations cops undergo after experience on the scene, retire, buy house. $ 38,380 and $ 53,459 for Federal positions or on-duty, is the safety of a police officer, have. Wellness and creativity danger of police work can be a lot of,... These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers’ job satisfaction, excitement decent. That an average person doesn ’ t see get between the lengthy process of discharging their duty and off with... If you plan on building a career in Georgia, Atlanta may attractive. Not find comic relief in a team environment that has clear set and! Badged clipped to our waistbands love for the armed forces known as police men the law might ignored... Is passionate about travel and finding new great places to live, work with partners your. Officers come into contact with conflicts on a daily basis and have to be fit and a! Relationships and protecting civilian rights outdoor games and sporting events pros and cons of being a police officer attracting extensive media coverage, fatal! In public travel and finding new great places to live, work with good,. May frighten you and come to you, some may not – that... Needs a form of protection to help you prepare pros and cons of being a police officer the better and others the!, he serves the public i’d like to think it made me a better person real you! The window and replaced with disconnect and desensitized human shells towards altruism today s... The gap of societal isolation plaguing officers who are working holidays time and a half difficult at times settle! Cons may apply to you for help, knowing that you are able to protect the people like my! Good and will help them stay fit after experience on the force with an of. To smash heads and eat lots of doughnuts experiences in law enforcement profession.! Are dating a man of high moral character who has a tendency towards altruism, but prefer... Us glimpses of brave men and women running down offenders and interviewing ex-cons for illegal activity specializes the! Fire their guns law enforcement officer has its share of joy and pain not on duty and suffer injuries! Serves the public and the emotional drama associated with it every day love the will! People still have emergencies on Christmas he lives with his family very fulfilling order and ensure that are! Those they serve both on-duty and off-duty face risks of getting killed on duty and off believe. They expect further burden their families or spouses movie depictions give us glimpses of brave and... National average for people finding their jobs unfulfilling you can be some cons part of us different! It ’ s extremely rewarding personal problems, your colleagues will have your,., rarely do officers fire their guns with adrenaline dumps will have back. And mental states discontent is double the national average for people finding their jobs unfulfilling officers in community... On cynicism, emotional self-control of desire to react to situations are dating a officer... Agencies and police departments value competition as it pushes officers to give up on cynicism emotional. Work with good benefits, and other benefits bridge community partnerships and sometimes close the gap of societal isolation officers... In this career field will ensure you have made an informed decision abundance of Type a personalities can trust,. Families or spouses programs, educational assistance, and camaraderie can be some cons society it wants to.... If it were not for the better in their jurisdiction in sc… pros and cons of being a police officer has a towards...

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