The Disadvantages of Being a Police Officer. Free gym memberships are also sometimes a perk of the job. If you have leadership qualities and a desire to rise to the top, you may enjoy the career ladder of the law enforcement profession. Even when an officer breaks the law, most are still compassionate, caring, and smart individuals who want to make a positive impact on their community. California, New Jersey and Alaska pay police officers more on average than other states, but the cost of living is higher, too. You get to work tough areas with violent people.. It’s rare to hear an officer complain about his job, as police officers have an intimate understanding of what it means to track suspects, guard perimeters, and venture into dangerous crime scenes. Officers generally disdain reports, along with the reams of paperwork that must be completed and the bean counting of every little incident handled. You’re working on your own, with partners, and in a team environment all at the same time in many jurisdictions. Not only will you have to be very physically fit but mentally sharp as well. Officers with a bachelor’s degree can earn more money than police officers with an associate degree or high school diploma. According to the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, police are at a much greater risk than the general population for developing PTSD symptoms, including sleep disturbances, anxiety and hyperarousal, and alcohol abuse. Being a police officer can be the most fascinating and satisfying career you could ever choose. You can find many appealing reasons for becoming a police officer, including fighting crime, enforcing laws, catching bad guys and the adrenalin rush of a … The most common cause of death is assault, followed by automobile incidents. There can be a lot of perks available to police officers. PTSD is an occupational hazard and another con of being a police officer. Many officers are part of community teams or events, such as playing softball or serving on the board of a charity. Helping students succeed has been her passion while serving in many areas of student affairs and adjunct teaching. Texas led the country with 14 fatalities, while Florida and New York at 9 each. You will have to have a quick reaction time, and good reflexes. The excitement is one of the practical benefits of being a police officer. 3. Researchers compared police officers' health risks with that of other people and found that police officers are at increased risk for obesity, metabolic syndrome and suicide. Risk to Life According to many studies, a roofer and plumber or an electrician, construction worker and sanitation worker among others would be equally at risk. That might be through performance standards, talent application, or skill-based activities. Indigenous, Victims, Crime costs, Family and domestic violence, Health, Hospitals, Comparisons, Mental health, Violence, Peer-reviewed Police officers, after all, are public servants, and public service is largely about sacrifice. They may also suffer from "friendly fire". You can learn more about some of the common training you will receive to handle stress. List of Cons of Being a Police Officer. Fatigue from shift work. Pre-Service Correctional Officer Training, The Qualifications to Become a K-9 Unit Officer, National Law Enforcment Officers Memorial Fund: Law Enforcement Facts, Pew Research Center: Police Views, Public Views, International Association of Chiefs of Police: Law Enforcement Leadership Awards, National Conference of State Legislatures: Public Safety Workers Retirement Plans, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OES: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: News Release, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OOH: Police and Detective, Obligations & Job Duties of Police Officers, Effect on Personal Lives of Being a Police Officer. Extended levels of stress can cause fatigue, depression or suicidal thoughts. One of the biggest downfalls of being a police officer is the associated stress. Operational incidents are by their nature dynamic. 6. Job satisfaction rates are high for police officers. Law enforcement officials often see the divisiveness of communities at a personal level every day. The work is challenging, with long hours and dangerous situations to manage. Many police officers are frustrated with their job. As a police officer, you will be responsible for improving community relationships and protecting civilian rights. 1. Everything from victim advocacy to crime prevention is recognized in this profession, which makes it easier to do the hard work that is asked of you each day. They are asked to respond to situations where people are experiencing one of their worst days. It is a career where you are always active in some way. Even police officers without a college degree earn an average annual salary of $62,760, or $30.17 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And, as a consequence of this status, police officers should have to endure the mistreatment and abuse from criminals without justice for themselves. Others are not that lucky. It is a profession that is always under much scrutiny. Tweet. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious mental health condition that may occur after exposure to a violent, shocking, frightening or disturbing event. Most police officers work for local and state government agencies mired in bureaucracy. 5. I am pretty set on a career in law enforcement and have been doing a little research about the dangers of being a cop. § 1983 are considered to be the most common filed against police officers as they can be filed against any officer who has been accused of violating a person’s statutory or constitutional rights as described by law. It’s challenging. Most departments don’t experience a lot of turnover, but it is possible to become enrolled in police academies or training institutes to prepare for this career option. Being a police officer is a very respectable thing. Although there's not a lot of turnover in most departments, choice positions may come up as the baby boomer generation retires. Even in tiny towns and gated communities, violent crime happens. 1. Most police officers go the extra mile for the people they serve, whether they are on-duty or not. Police officers must maintain a healthy lifestyle to be effective at what they do. One officer is killed in the line of duty every 63 hours, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. 2. Officers killed in the line of duty often leave behind a grieving partner and young children. All of that comes together to create people who are often cynical as their first reaction. Not everyone can be a police officer, but everyone can support their local law enforcement officials in some way. 1. Of those who said they would not recommend becoming an officer, 88 percent said they were concerned over a lack of support from their department. Shootings, dead bodies, abused children and fatal accidents are among the tragedies they face. It is a job where you’re faced with human misery every day. Sabrina. FRIDAY, July 13 (HealthDay News) -- Police officers are at increased risk for developing a host of mental and physical health problems, including heart disease, sleep troubles, obesity and certain forms of cancer, new research shows.. Stellar performance is acknowledged with awards on the local, national and international level. When you become a police officer, you are joining a fraternal family that is 800,000 strong in the United States, with millions more around the world. Although the statistics are fuzzy, clinically treated alcohol addiction rates are usually calculated to be about twice as high for police officers than for the general population … No matter what you’re doing, however, you’re also helping people in some way. 8. There are extreme stressors present in the position every day. CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 OVERVIEW OF POLICE RISKS 4 RISKS IN DETAIL 10 FINANCIAL 10 IT 13 OPERATIONS 16 COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS 18 REGULATION AND STANDARDS 20 STRATEGY 21 INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSETS 22 REPUTATION 23 WORKFORCE 24 … Even if you get into police work as a person who isn’t competitive, the environments of law enforcement will often change that perspective. The Pew Research Center reports that over half of all police officers describe their job as frustrating and unfulfilling, which compares to 29 percent of workers in other occupations who feel that same level of discontent with their profession. Awards are conveyed at the local, state, national, and global levels when you do exemplary work. The willingness to make decisions in conditions of uncertainty (ie, risk taking) is a core professional requirement of all members of the police service. It is the job of police officers and firefighters to subject themselves to risk in order to protect the people of their communities. 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. The point is, for cops, the things we complain about most are things that drew us to the job in the first place. Communities regularly hold events to celebrate and honor the law enforcement. Many police departments thrive on the competition of officers pushing on another to become better at what they do. The obvious downside of working in law enforcement is the risk of injury or death. You’re going to be tapped for positions which have increased responsibilities if you’re good at what you do, ranging from sergeant to police chief. Salaries, benefits and retirement packages are attractive, too. 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