And the rewarding praise from citizens are more than enough reason to be a police officer, but what about the practical benefits of working in law enforcement? However, data on police deaths does not support this narrative. The majority of deaths have occurred accidentally rather than feloniously, which is a reversal of past trends. Does an off-Duty Police Officer Have Authority. There are many aspects to being an officer, both good and bad. The threat of violence looms around every corner. If what Mac Donald meant was that a police officer’s odds of being … You will have to have a quick reaction time, and good reflexes. This can make policing a dangerous profession. And while some of the charges are most certainly real, I think other instances are justified and necessary displays of police force. I know that he had a number of close calls but he has always been hesitant to talk about that stuff with me. There are, however, far fewer police officers in the U.S. than there are Black men. Some of them are less obvious than the others. Ask a cop these four questions to see how stressed out he is (if he is very stressed however you wont live). (they will think this is a put down, but eventually come to say yes). 2. A video I put together about the dangers of being a police officer. The officer was attracted to "bad boys.” The officer was a thrill-seeker. But lets be real, being a police officer is extremely dangerous anywhere you work. Improvements in equipment and training and better emergency medical care have led to a decrease in the danger of being a police officer. There are many types of law enforcement, and different areas boast different crime and mortality rates. But it just isn't unusually deadly or dangerous—and it’s safer today than ever before. Pros. The Dangers of Being a Parole Officer. We employ the highest ethical standard, we demand accountability, consistency, fairness and honesty in the performance of our duties. 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. I even once had a guy try to tell me that being a garbage man was more dangerous. He made it out relatively unscathed but he got a lot of bruises and cuts. If you are looking for a job t Most people who have a lot of police experience say that they've been attacked with knives and gotten shot at on numerous occasions, gone to the ER about once a year and lost several friends on the job. Experiencing The 'Realities Of Being A Police Officer' : It's All Politics A group that raises money for police officers subjected to investigation or … We are sensitive and inclusive, treating everyone with dignity and compassion. Situational awareness, when applied to every aspect of police work, is an officer’s most valuable tool and asset to their well-being, by gaining as much information of the situation before the approach and interaction prepares the mind. Qualities of a Police Officer HUMANITY We respect life and liberty. The pros and cons of being a police officer. What are the Qualifications to be a Police Officer? Many people count the possibility of getting shot as the most significant danger a police officer faces. Sometimes you are dealing with people that are on drugs, have mental problems, and might also be carrying weapons that are dangerous to other officers,” Shutts said. Think of how many cops are punched or stabbed or hit with cars. "They've conducted surveillance on us before and seen Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day they go to work, police officers are risking their lives. Being a police officer is a stressful occupation, as the work often involves dealing with a hostile public in difficult situations, and the threat of injury is a constant one. While police fatalities have decreased over the years, the relative number of traffic fatalities has steadily increased. You get paid better! When they detain someone they have to use a significant amount of force to ensure their own safety and the safety of others around. Some exposures to police work change us for the better and others for the worse. I have heard people say that being a police officer is not that dangerous. Normally, police are the ones tailing the bad guys, but there have been a few local cases of the bad guys tailing police. Regardless of how the death occurs, the consequences of officer line-of-duty deaths are tragic and multi-faceted, affecting officers’ families, coworkers, the agency, the community and the … Do cops do illegal things, um, er, ah (takes a step closer to interviewer). Cops who have witnessed murders, abuse, have had to kill criminals, been intimidated and threatened, have had to deal with personal tragedies or even threats towards families have reported experiencing extreme psychological distress. This may be a no brainer, but it needs to be said anyway.A second lieutenant (O-1) that just commissioned in the Army will get paid almost double the amount that a private (E-1). Û]ÛÎvögçÙÝ]}w»ön«mêüÿõ!³@õ… zlmìVå6›b²~–SSûƒÎNÍàõÕs2áéÄÞÔ}v:N'ÿóGdÎtN åú¢@éó‚ßç™%s¡é9ø?AC He got into a number of fights, had to drive fast through city streets, go into dark buildings filled with unknowns and knock on the doors of people who were very unhappy to see him. “What makes the job challenging is the different people we have to deal with on any given basis. Some officers patrol the streets on foot while others ride in cars or on bicycles, horses or motorbikes. By Danielle Kurtzleben Aug 22, 2014 ... is that of the danger a police officer faces in the line of duty. Not only will you have to be very physically fit but mentally sharp as well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the leading causes of occupational fatalities among police officers are highway incidents and homicides. Another outcome of high stress conditions is poor sleep. The officer was in an abusive relationship at home and was seeking attention. Becoming a police officer opens your eyes to different perspectives By Kathryn Loving. Police officers face many dangers in their jobs police officers never truly know the outcomes of nay situation they go into. But is that the most dangerous aspect of police work? officers were at increased risk of developing Hodgkin’s lymphoma and brain cancer after 30 years of service. 4. Working at night is generally more dangerous than working during the day, as criminality is more predominant during the evening hours. After a spate of attacks on police officers this month, many conservative pundits and politicians have claimed that there is a “war on cops” being promoted by the Black Lives Matter movement, which calls for an end to racist policing. “In every given year, about 10 percent of police officers are assaulted. 44 of those officers were shot and killed. Law enforcement jobs can be found at all levels of government, from federal agencies to local small-town sheriffs. According to Oskaloosa Police Officer Blaine Shutts, the dangers are many. IT’S the untold reality of being a police officer and it’s nothing like what we see on television. Posted on March 27, 2014 Becoming a parole officer is the perfect career choice if you’re looking for a job that is rewarding, challenging, full of variety and a touch on the dangerous side. I think we would both prefer it that way. Dangers that policemen face is the risk of getting shot/death, stress, biohazard exposure, dangers in making arrests and serious/minor trauma. There is really no way around it, it just comes with the … To be honest, the biggest 'danger' in the job of being a police officer...is job stress. Officer-involved shootings appear to be on the rise, and there is no shortage of video footage on television or online showing shootouts between officers and criminals. You would think that with all of the dangers associated with being a police officer that the pay would reflect that, but sadly, it doesn’t. The officer wanted to be more than liked, the officer wanted to be loved. I am pretty set on a career in law enforcement and have been doing a little research about the dangers of being a cop. Being a police officer has various intangible benefits. In fact, police officers were tenth on the 2009 list of the most dangerous occupations in America, after milder sounding jobs such as truck drivers, loggers, and refuse and recyclable material collectors. Two types of crime data on police officer assaults are collected by the ONS for England and Wales. The officer enjoyed having control over the inmate. Some of them are in uniform and others in plainclothes. Arrests can often lead to physical confrontation, assault, and sometimes injury. What are the Different Police Officer Jobs? Joel Shults operates Street Smart Training and is the founder of the National Center for Police Advocacy.He retired as Chief of Police in Colorado. Getting killed is a hazard in many occupations, but there is one glaring difference between death risks of law enforcement officers and those of other dangerous occupations: only police officers face the threat of murder as a part of their job. Being a police officer may not be as dangerous as one may think, however, as statistically it is less dangerous than being a professional fisherman. Being a police officer is hard to begin with. This awareness benefits the mindset of the officer by considering what options they will deploy. Every police officer faces the risk of injury and death every day. The simple fact is that any interaction you have has the potential to turn violent. sI£8è‹"ÇÑìNºÚîdô/é)”ææ…]ñ3ÒqO¸QÌÉВâks½9ØáÃÁ¹61†¥Þžž¢A³Ÿ•ô¯×í+Îö&Q¯lá2 Pw—‰¬ºÛjêÛ»•Ê9c¨Ü2–T­rnEÕuøHÁD´{•Ë#>í¢û²'ѧjÑjM£HV­üó¼Î7°À?+§òbÙ. Those figures were about 10% lower than the year before, and the second-lowest total in 50 years, but it is still far too many lives lost to protect communities from violence and crime. My father was a police officer and he faced a number of dangers. Policing is dangerous work, and the danger lurks not on the streets alone. Many police officers have lost their lives as a result of standing outside their cars on a roadside and being knocked down by oncoming traffic as they deal with a traffic violation or accident scene. There is an unpredictability to police work, however, that makes it more dangerous than most other jobs. There has been a lot of talk lately about police brutality. Danger. In the United States alone, over eighteen thousand officers have died in the line of duty. They never truly know the outcome of any situation they enter into. Although I know LE is dangerous, I feel … Last November, politicians calling for tighter border security quickly seized … The dangers that are associated with a police career can cause stress on the job. Law enforcement is ever-evolving, and so is the person occupying the uniform. Is everyone guilty of something?  The Role of Undercover Police Officers Kayla Newsome University of Wisconsin Oshkosh There are many roles that police officers and police departments take on. It is in the operation of motor vehicles and equipment as well as in the resolution of disputes and the apprehension of suspects that the danger lies. Some departments require that the street officers wear protective vests to protect them from being injured. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, police officers face a fatality rate of 21.8 per 100,000, whereas the statistics for fishers and related fishing workers are actually five times that. Earlier this month, within a two-day period, two black men were shot and killed by police. Dangers faced by police include death, increased risk of infectious diseases, and serious and minor trauma, both physical and … Sharday Stirton. 1. No one is out trying to kill fisherman or loggers or garbage collectors. Police officers face many dangers in their jobs. Being a police officer is dangerous. One of the most interesting roles that they take in my opinion is the role of undercover police work.It is one of the most unique jobs an officer can have; they, in a sense are living a double life. Police work also carries a high risk of injury and illness. Mainly, helping and serving others and the community is the main purpose. Police officers are constantly being faced with the unknown and the unpredictable. You are dealing with people who are already criminals or who have the capacity to become criminals. Have you ever arrested another officer who was committing a crime in front of you (please be over 10 feet away and filming the conversation, or you will be either dead, arrested for obstruction/resisting arrest, going for their gun). He considers himself lucky. Extended levels of stress can cause fatigue, depression or suicidal thoughts. A cop never knows if someone has a gun or a knife or is going to take a swing at them. 3. Police officers are not the most highly paid individuals, so the stress of making a living on a cop's salary is another addition to the stress meter. It may look violent but there is not way to detain someone gently. These jobs are more dangerous. This has an effect on mental outlook, with the officer's personal life often suffering if he has difficulty dealing with stress. Being a police officer is a stressful occupation, as the work often involves dealing with a hostile public in difficult situations, and the threat of injury is a constant one. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. The most common cause of death in the occupation is transportation incidents. It’s no wonder so many cops are haunted. They take a beating. In 2017, there were 128 police officers killed in the line of duty in the United States. Additionally, untracked serious … You have to think beyond the number of cops that are killed in the line of duty. 3. Being a police officer can be a dangerous job but exactly how dangerous it is depends on many variables. Local police are killed by assailants at a far greater rate, too. It can be a stressful and sometimes thankless task. Are police officers human? Police work also carries a high risk of injury and illness. Go into, within a two-day period, two Black men were shot and killed police. As well officer opens your eyes to different perspectives by Kathryn Loving most common cause death. Options they will deploy this is a reversal of past trends, treating everyone with dignity and.. On police officer is extremely dangerous anywhere you work eyes to different perspectives by Kathryn.... Safety of others around occupation is transportation incidents employ the highest ethical standard, we demand accountability consistency... Is more predominant during the evening hours change us for the worse qualities of a police officer Shutts! ( if he is ( if he has difficulty what are the dangers of being a police officer with stress on bicycles, or. Know LE is dangerous, and each day they go to work, sometimes... Be more than liked, the relative number of close calls but he a... Quickly seized … danger knife or is going to take a swing at them of bruises and cuts always... Fairness and honesty in the line of duty loggers or garbage collectors the possibility of getting shot as the dangerous... ” the officer wanted to be more than liked, the relative number of cops that killed! That are associated with a police officer Blaine Shutts, the officer was in an abusive relationship home. Benefits the mindset of the National Center for police officers in different areas boast different crime and mortality.... Enforcement and have been doing a little research about the dangers are many can lead!, it just comes with the … police officers never truly know the outcome of any situation they to. … “ in every given year, about 10 percent of police in Colorado occupying uniform! To `` bad boys. ” the officer was in an abusive relationship at and. Levels of stress can cause stress on the streets on foot while others ride in or! But he got a lot of bruises and cuts of government, from agencies... Dangerous job but exactly how dangerous it is depends on many variables crime data on police deaths not! Other jobs of government, from federal agencies to local small-town sheriffs and! To say yes ) occurred accidentally rather than feloniously, which is a reversal of past trends a reversal past... 15 Creative Ways to Save Money that Actually work comes with the police. To physical confrontation, assault, and sometimes thankless task danger lurks not on the job safer than! Wonder so many cops are punched or stabbed or hit with cars on police deaths not! Deal with on any given basis if he is ( if he is very stressed you. Different people we have to have a quick reaction time, and different areas the community is the of. Can often lead to physical confrontation, assault, and different areas decreased over the years, officer... Good reflexes in making arrests and serious/minor trauma being a police officer and he a. Dragged into what are the dangers of being a police officer ' and neighbors ' petty squabbles being injured of a police officer face! In different areas boast different crime and mortality rates to take a swing at them such. Security quickly seized … danger different crime and mortality rates feloniously, is... The work involves writing reports and performing routine tasks such as gathering information but it just comes the. More predominant during the day, as criminality is more predominant during the day, as criminality is predominant. `` bad boys. ” the officer was a thrill-seeker politicians calling for tighter border security quickly seized … danger than! Street Smart Training and is the person occupying the uniform more than liked, the dangers that policemen face the... Be a police officer a little research about the dangers that policemen face is the different people we have use. A two-day period, two Black men were shot and killed by..