Law Enforcement Vocational Paper
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Vocational Paper
A career in law enforcement is the basis of this assignment. While this paper will primarily focus on the city police department level, most of the information will also be pertinent for county, state, and federal levels as well corrections. Numerous sources have been explored to provide the reader with the necessary skills, education, and training required in this career field. Salary and benefits, advancement potential, and the future outlook of the law enforcement profession will also be described. Other topics will include personality types and how they fit into this field, and the positives and negatives that come with being a police officer. After reading this paper, the reader should have a general knowledge of what is required to begin a career in law enforcement and where to go find answers for any remaining questions.
A career in law enforcement can be dangerous and stressful. Frequently, officers go from long periods of inactivity to sudden situations that can cause significant physical and emotional stress. Officers are expected to have certain behavior traits, to include honesty, good judgment, responsibility, integrity, adaptability, initiative, and courage. Police officers need to have good communication skills. Knowing how to tactfully speak to people to avoid confrontation whenever possible is a necessity. Officers must possess the ability to communicate with superiors, peers, and subordinates effectively Officers must be prepared to handle a variety of challenges, including knowing when to use deadly force. An officers tasks include, but are not limited to;
Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
Render aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
Testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
Evaluate complaint and emergency-request information to determine response requirements.
Patrol specific area on foot, horseback, or motorized vehicle, responding promptly to calls for assistance.
Monitor, note, report, and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.
Investigate traffic accidents and other accidents to determine causes and to determine if a crime has been committed.
Officers may also be assigned a special position, like D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), K-9 Officer, drug and gang units, SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), or traffic patrol. Law enforcement is a 24/7 job, so shift work is a must. Junior officers should be prepared to work holidays and graveyard shift, as well as overtime. Understanding how a chain of command like structure works is a must. It is also the officers responsibility to keep up with current laws, to include victim and criminal rights.
The majority state and local departments have similar requirements for recruits. Candidates must be 21 at the time of appointment. Candidates must be able to clearly read, write, speak and understand English. Felony, drug possession/sale, and domestic violence convictions are an automatic disqualification. Applicants are normally required to have a state drivers license, a high school diploma, and pass a medical examination. If these provisions are met, candidates go through a thorough background investigation. Depending on the agency, applicants may meet with a psychologist or psychiatrist, or complete a clinical test like the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.) Random drug testing is not uncommon either. Past military experience is looked at favorably (as long as you have an honorable discharge.) Departments such as Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sometimes allow military experience to be used as extra points on tests.
Education is important in any job field, knowing what to study is the hard part. During an interview conducted by the writer, Sgt. Lon Jacobs of the San Bernardino Sheriffs Department was quoted saying “I would have definitely put more time and effort into a formal education. Twenty years ago when I became a deputy it was recommended, but now it is almost a necessity to get promoted.” Most larger police departments only require a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent, but federal and state agencies require a two or four year degree. Departments highly encourage candidates to seek college level education in law enforcement, police science, or administration of justice. It is also recommended to take computer science and foreign language courses. Many agencies also offer full or partial tuition reimbursement for officers who continue postsecondary school training that will aid in job performance.
Law enforcement officers normally attend a 12 to 14 week training academy before they are given their first assignments. State and large local departments usually have their own training academy, while small agencies usually send recruits to a state or regional academy. It is also possible for people interested in a law enforcement career to pay to go to an academy, so the department they want to apply for can save money and give the recruit an edge above the competition. Most academies require recruits to maintain a professional appearance and adhere to a strict set of rules. Recruits will receive instruction with firearms, defensive tactics, first aid, and physical training. Educational training may include legal subjects, procedures for patrol, investigative skills, community relations, and basic officer skills. In order to graduate, students must complete specific criteria of written and verbal examinations as well as pass standard physical fitness tests. After completing an academy, the recruit should have a broad knowledge of local, state, and federal laws.
The Department of Labors Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that employment of police and detectives is expected to grow faster than the national average through 2012. That is a 21 to 35% increase in employment. In 2002, police and detectives held approximately 842,000 81% were employed by local governments. Around 11% worked for state agencies, and a mixture of federal agencies employed 6%. A small proportion worked for rail transportation, educational services, and contract investigation