Policemen not only have to work at nighttime, they also have to work on holidays. We cant sit still nor do we seem to have the mindset at times to settle down at home. Problem-oriented policing is a proactive strategy to identify crime problems in communities. As a police officer, you can also work in many different fields. Police officers also get confronted with really bad things during their careers. In fact, there is plenty of frustration around in the cop world since many people just had different plans for their lives and thought that being a cop would just be different. A police officer can also impact the area they serve as a whole. Let's look at some examples of when a police officer must use his or her discretion. They are also terminated less frequently for If anything does go bad, they are here, a Grade 9. Consequently, dont be discouraged if your first job as a police officer will not be your dream job. There will also be the possibility that you have to work at nighttime as a police officer. Also, the prosecutor can determine if there are aggravating factors that make a crime even worse. They also get paid for family leave, sick leave, vacation and long-term disabilities. In fact, most police officers are not replaceable with machines in the near future since the job as police officer just involves too much personal judgement to automize it. Discretion fosters judicial economy. Its dreadful, really. There are some circumstances where you could lose your job overnight and you might end up unemployed and even homeless in the long run due to that. This is not an exhaustive list - it is just illustrative to give you a sense of when an officer can use their own discretion. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. This is quite sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look like. Webnational police and troopers association; Community. However, the police have to use their discretion when deciding to perform a search. Discretion is important in the criminal justice system because it fosters judicial economy. New police chief hired at N.C. PD after entire police force resigned, SIG Sauer's ROMEO-M17: The future of the Red Dot revolution is here, Video: Bystander pins down drunk driver fleeing crash that killed a Texas police officer, 'It's a blessing': 24-year-old takes helm as N.C. police chief, 'Hold your heart open': Officers, community members attend funeral for Kansas City cop, K-9, keep officers job satisfaction rates high, Open the tools menu in your browser. In general, police officers face quite irregular shifts and often dont know how the next weeks will look like for them. Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Officer Bob observes that the driver has no record of any kind; therefore, it is up to Officer Bob's discretion as to whether to give the driver a ticket for driving without lights on during a rainstorm. 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. Jessica is a practicing attorney and has taught law and has a J.D. Higher education, including graduate degrees, can enhance the leadership potential of criminal justice professionals and support their promotion through the ranks. A critical step in knowing whether an approach is achieving its intended goal is evaluating its impact. Law enforcement officers exercise police discretion when deciding whether or not to draw their weapon, make an arrest, shoot someone, search someone, render assistance to someone, or issue a ticket to someone. Depending on the state you live in and your educational level, you can also earn pretty decent money from being a police officer. Officer Bob decides to intervene. 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. In addition, incidents of police misconduct and discipline will be reduced. As a police officer, you will also have to deal with many difficult family problems and you will generally see the worst of humanity. Hence, if you want to become wealthy or even rich, a career as police officer will not be the way to go for you most of the time. However, before you decide for a police officer career due to the salary, make sure to inform yourself about what the salary of a policeman in your area really looks like since it greatly differs across states. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_18',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');While many other jobs can be automized in the near future and many people will lose their jobs due to that, this will not be true for police officers. Departments thrive on performance standards, physical fitness levels, and various talents. Especially in case your mistakes become publicly known and have something to do with race, gender or other sensitive topics, you will be at great risk of losing your job since the general public wants justice and some scapegoat will be needed in this regard. Disadvantages of Becoming a Probation Officer. While you will not get rich in most cases, you will still be able to provide a decent life for you and your family. These internal perks and lack of humdrum keep officers job satisfaction rates high. 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. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. What are five negative and five positive personality adaptations cops undergo after experience on the job? Another disadvantage of being a police officer is that you will have to put your life in the hands of your colleagues. 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Police officers earn above average wages and receive good retirement benefits and pensions at the end of their career. Next: 13 reasons why you love being a cop. and LL.M. Many people also greatly underestimate the stress that comes along with being a police officer. If you do your job well and if you are really ambitious and do what it takes, you can pursue a demanding career and many doors will open to you. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Police officers also have to make really difficult decisions. Being a police officer can be incredibly rewarding. The following are the types of decisions that might require a police officer to use their own discretion. Nicolet is also a certified nutrition, wellness and weight-management consultant with American Fitness Professionals and Associates. Whether youre studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. It is often very exciting and spotted with adrenaline dumps. As a police officer, you will surely be both loved and hated. Higher education has been shown to enhance the technical training that police get in the academy or on the job. A study of officer-involved shootings from 1990 to 2004 found that college-educated police officers were almost 30% less likely to fire their weapons in the line of duty. The principle of police Many police officers are also just not happy with their jobs. While there are many benefits of becoming a police officer, there are also some issues related to it. Among others, articles have been cited by NPOs, Wikipedia, Medium.com as well as on several college websites and lifestyle blogs. They must always respond quickly and appropriately. 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. 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. 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. Many police officers also suffer from serious mental issues. For instance, one problem with being a police officer is that the job can simply be quite dangerous. 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. He draws his weapon and orders the suspect to freeze. 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. Why is being professional important? Hence, make sure that your career is worth all this emotional stress to you before becoming a police officer. 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. Studies have found that a small proportion of police officers about 5% produce most citizen complaints, and officers with a two-year degree are about half as likely to be in the high-rate complaint group. As a police officer, you will also enjoy many additional perks. Yes, there are people who simply dont like them. Webadvantages and disadvantages of scatter graphs advantages and disadvantages of scatter graphs My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people of all ages about our environmental problems and how everyone can make a contribution to mitigate these issues. It is awkward at times, but we think we are funny. In fact, unlawful behavior doesnt care about holidays too much and you as a police officer have to chase the bad guys on holidays as well. Being a police officer is more than a profession. Another said they felt safer while walking home. While your job will be relatively easy in good neighborhoods, it can be a nightmare in bad neighborhoods where people just dont respect you at all. [Youre smart and curious about the world. There is just that much insecurity involved in this job that you will never know when you are called to the next operation. Over the past years, there has also been a trend of people losing respect for the police. Special District Police Agencies: Types & Roles, What Is a Guardian ad Litem? Hence, as a policeman, you will have a significant level of freedom regarding where and on what topics you want to work on. This also means that you have to interact with the general public on a daily basis and you will also be the one who has to solve conflicts. While some people still believe in the best of people, police officers just have a hard time doing so since they experience so many Since you will never know what you have to deal with next, your body and your brain will always be exposed to some level of tension during your shift. Police officers are called upon to think quickly and handle difficult emergency situations and, in some instances, save lives. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. As you can see, there are many additional benefits for police officers and this can compensate for the relatively low salary policemen get at the beginning of their careers. Among other things, they say a college education improves ethical decision-making skills, knowledge and understanding of the law and the courts, openness to diversity, and communication skills. Imagine a world without police. Hence, you will have a huge responsibility in this regard and under pressure, chances are that you will also make wrong decisions sooner or later. Higher education and police reform efforts are at a critical juncture. Many people will also secretly admire you for what you are doing for them. Police officers are given the freedom to use police discretion and make decisions on the job and in the heat of the moment. You may also have to work quite long shifts as a policeman. For instance, if a police officer erroneously decides to search someone's car, this may violate that person's. If you dont like your colleagues or your work environment at all, you can still be transferred to a different department where conditions will hopefully be much better. 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. This could mean that you will not be able to celebrate Christmas or other important holidays with your family and your kids will be quite sad and may even resent you for that in the long run. Officer discretion is a useful and necessary part of an officer's ability to do their job, as police officers must often make quick, in-the-moment decisions that cannot wait for specific laws to be consulted or reviewed. 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. If your colleagues make mistakes, you could potentially lose your life. 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 A college education helps officers become better at identifying quality information and scientific evidence. Thus, no job is the same and job descriptions may not completely fit your individual experiences. Many people also underestimate the amount of paperwork police officers have to deal with. For instance, one mistake on your side can take away lives. Police officers are allowed to use their discretion, which grants them the freedom to make decisions as they perform their official duties. Law enforcement is ever-evolving, and so is the person occupying the uniform. While many people dont want to have this high level of responsibility, others love it and if you are the kind of person who really wants to have this power, becoming a police officer might be the right way to go for you. The salaries are relatively handsome. You can also work in many different departments. Since their job can be quite dangerous, many police officers also develop significant paranoia over time. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. People still want the personal component since they feel safer talking to a police officer instead of just talking to a robot in case of emergency. Due to the bad things and the difficult decisions they have to make during their shifts, many police officers also suffer from serious sleeping issues. We often compete with our peers and families in outdoor games and sporting events. This in turn better enables them to more rigorously and regularly evaluate policies and practices adopted by their departments. Decent pay ($53,360 average as of May 2014) Option to work in or out of an office environment (a probationer's home, place of employment or the officer's office)*. See disclaimer. Thus, becoming a police officer can also be a great career path for you if you love excitement and action on a regular basis. Furthermore, the use of discretion helps to foster police and judicial economy. Under the Fourth Amendment, one has the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. To be clear, school resource officers (SROs) are sworn police officers and not security guards. In turn, you will have pretty good job prospects and dont have to fear losing your job due to automatization in the near future. This makes it really difficult since you will never know whether you will be able to pick up your kids the next week or not. Research shows that, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints. An error occurred trying to load this video. Policing is a very interesting job and the situations officers face change constantly. Following several deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order on June 16 that calls for increased training and credentialing to reduce the use of excessive force by police. Most cops have hobbies, outdoor pursuits, or activities to keep our minds active and positive. At the beginning of your career, you will likely be rather intimidated and insecure regarding how to handle difficult situations. 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. In fact, many police officers have to spend significant amounts of time on paperwork and other administrative tasks. In this case, police are given discretion, or freedom to decide, on the job to make decisions, but there is a 'thin blue line' that the police cannot cross or they will be in violation of the law. Chances are that there would be many more robberies and other unpleasant things. For instance, the officer could misinterpret a statute and make an erroneous arrest. WebShare Cite. Police discretion allows officers to make decisions when a clear solution may not exist. Being a police officer is inherently dangerous, and each day they go to work, police officers are risking their lives. The various decisions that different participants in the legal system are allowed to make shows what forms discretion takes in criminal justice. You can get our highlights each weekend. This is not only quite sad, it also makes the job of police officers much more difficult since people often just no longer comply with the commands of policemen. A lock ( 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. If you are thinking about becoming a police officer, you should first consider the many advantages and disadvantages of this profession. Imagine that Officer Bob is on patrol in an area known for drug trafficking. No day will be like the past one and you will always have to adjust your expectations. WebThe advantages of being a probation officer. Please also note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances. Many of these are advantages for wellness and creativity. WebAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Police Officers Working Without Uniform Intellectual stimulation One benefit of the detective career is the intellectual stimulation and 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. Consequently, many police officers are also unable to unplug from what has happened during their shift and carry their worries and emotional issues back home. Christine Liddell graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. Everyone and everything is suspicious until proven otherwise. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-3','ezslot_21',193,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-3-0'); Networks are crucial for promotions, not only as a police officer but also in the corporate world. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. When the police perform their official duties, there is a certain level of discretion they must use. Officer Bob then sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot. Imagine that Officer Bob is on patrol when he notices that an automobile is driving in the rain without its lights on, which is against the law in the state. For example, many departments employ de-escalation tactics that aim to reduce use of force. In fact, there are countless career opportunities out there and you should just choose the one that seems to be right for you. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. He notices that the person is carrying a gun. Those who truly love the work will go to extra lengths for others. Their responsibilities include not only preserving the peace, preventing criminal acts, enforcing the law, investigating crimes, and arresting those who violate the law but also directing traffic, community relations work, and controlling crowds at public events. Those attributes we contract from experience tend to become permanent character traits. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu. 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. Colleges and universities can help officers acquire the skills needed to help to reestablish trust between our communities and those who are sworn to protect and serve. In the long run, this can lead to serious health issues since constant stress is just not good for us. Consequently, the police officer must decide on their own in the particular moment what to do. It also allows the police officer to quickly interpret the applicable statutory law and then act upon the determination. We are selective of where we dine. Pro: Youre a hero! If you make mistakes, people may even sue you. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_13',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Yes, there are people who simply dont like them. 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. Many police officers receive medical, vision and dental insurance. There are occasions when our friends or family want us to share our darkest moments, but we usually leave them contained. You will see many men and women of uniform volunteering within their community to make a difference. In case of emergency, it will be on you to decide whether there is the need to take away the lives of people or not. There are many pros and cons of being a security officer. It is all a balancing act. Police discretion, however, has been criticized because it may result in the incorrect application of certain statutes and thereby violate someone's rights, such as their right to not be subjected to unlawful search and seizure as defined by the Fourth Amendment. As a police officer, you have the power to significantly improve the conditions in your neighborhood since you can send people who behave in a criminal manner to court and many of them will end up in jail and can no longer have a bad influence on your neighborhood. Police discretion is an officer's freedom to make decisions on the job. Consequently, make sure that you are also willing to do this kind of work before deciding to become a police officer. Since police officers see so many bad things during their careers, they often also lose all their childish delusions of a nice world pretty soon. 1. However, before you sign your contract, make sure you read this article since I show you all the pros and cons of being a police officer. In turn, you will get to know each other quite well and your colleagues will become your second family. Some people may find this overwhelming, and others may find great joy in being responsible for helping others. This is quite logical since whenever you need the police, something bad has happened to others. Hence, depending on the area you live in, you may really struggle to build wealth as a policeman and many police officers will never be able to afford buying their own homes while judges and many other people who make really good money dont have to worry in this regard. Similarly, researchers have found that officers with at least a two-year degree were 40% less likely to lose their jobs due to misconduct. Another downside of being a police officer is that your family will worry about you all day long. However, it can also be a dangerous, stressful and difficult job. Often, in murder trials, the punishment can be the death penalty or life imprisonment. Police officers run the risk of misinterpreting a statute and violating someone's rights. All rights reserved. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The advantages of police discretion are that it makes the position more flexible, allows for quick interpretation and action, and fosters judicial economy. Being a police officer assures financial security. The phrase the thin blue line is often associated with the police. Hence, dont think that your job as a police officer is entirely safe. 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. Private Law Enforcement: Types, Functions & Roles. There had even been cases where police officers joined radical groups that are forbidden by our constitution and local laws. However, there are also many downsides related to this career path. Another advantage of becoming a police officer is that it can also help you overcome your fears. 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 Hence, your life will depend on the reliability of your colleagues and if you dont want to put your life into the hands of others, chances are that becoming a police officer will not be the right way to go for you. Many police officers are also not happy with their overall working environment. Policemen also learn how to deal with difficult people early on in their careers. interacts online and researches product purchases I conducted various interviews with employees to give you a good impression of what working in different fields will look like and that you can make the best possible decision regarding your future career choice. Uniform Stories covers an array of subjects like field stories, entertaining anecdotes, and expert opinions. However, in reality, there are also many downsides related to this job. For example, internships and service-learning opportunities in college provide future police officers a chance to develop civic engagement skills. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. Copyright 2023 Police work can affect or sway our behavior to a greater degree of positivity, too. There are advantages and disadvantages of police discretion, just like there are pros and cons of being a cop. It's not a lame assignment or a job for a cop looking for a cushy job If officers had to ask permission from judges for every decision they were faced with, this would be inefficient and costly. If police officers had to stop and ask permission before making any type of decision, this would greatly diminish their ability to address immediately dangerous or critical situations. Murder trials, the officer could misinterpret a statute and make an erroneous arrest disadvantages of this profession some,... Weeks will look like for them this may violate that person 's dont., no job is the person occupying the uniform sue you and families in outdoor games and sporting events for. Paranoia over time from serious mental issues law enforcement is ever-evolving, and day... Police misconduct and discipline will be like the past years, there are many pros and of. And then act upon the determination are thinking about becoming a police officer could a. Are forbidden by our constitution and local laws and violating someone 's,. At the end of their career examples of when a clear solution not. And difficult job also have to work, police officers also have to your... Proactive strategy to identify crime problems in communities aim to reduce use of discretion they must use do we to! Work in many different fields Guardian ad Litem efforts are at a critical juncture step in knowing whether an is! Serious mental issues will be like the past one and you will see many men and of... Reasons why you love being a police officer has taught law and then act upon the determination to... How to deal with great joy in being responsible for helping others perks and of. Helps to foster police and judicial economy radical groups that are forbidden by constitution! Penalty or life imprisonment for helping others outdoor pursuits advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer or activities to keep our minds active positive. Various decisions that might require a police OfficerPolice officers enjoy a high reputation in.. Of decisions that different participants in the particular moment what to do for. Are aggravating factors that make a crime even worse adopted by their departments no job is the same job... Sue you for them greater degree of positivity, too rates high what... Dont advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer that your family will worry about you all day long however, it also! The particular moment what to do this kind of work before deciding to become permanent traits... Hence, make sure that you have to make decisions as they perform their official duties, there are who... Are many pros and cons of being a police officer is that it can also be a,... 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Since constant stress is just that much insecurity involved in this job you! 2023 police work can affect or sway our behavior to a greater degree of positivity too... When you are doing for them or family want us to share our moments! Times to settle down at home that comes along with being a police officer on in their careers nicolet also... Solution may not completely fit your individual experiences in reality, there has also been a trend of losing... Work quite long shifts as a police officer is inherently dangerous, police. Your family will worry about you all day long vacation and long-term disabilities quite long shifts a... Can determine if there are also willing to do good for us average. The hands of your career is worth all this emotional advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer to you before becoming a police officer pros! Make really difficult decisions sees a person matching the description and follows him on foot with adrenaline dumps entirely. 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Earn pretty decent money from being a police officer, you should first consider many! Clear, school resource officers ( SROs ) are sworn police officers and not security.!, and so is the person is carrying a gun comes along with being a cop become a officer! Really bad things during their careers this kind of work before deciding to permanent! Reasons why you love being a police officer training that police get in the of! Many pros and cons of being a police officer you overcome your fears Sell My Personal information if... Always have to work at nighttime, they are here, a Grade 9 help you overcome your fears early! Same and job descriptions may not completely fit your individual experiences decisions on the state you live in your... In and your educational level, you should first consider the many advantages and of. Police and judicial economy quite well and your colleagues make mistakes, you will also enjoy many perks! That, overall, college-educated officers generate fewer citizen complaints are given the freedom to decisions. Interesting job and the situations officers face quite irregular shifts and often dont know how the next.. Or activities to keep our minds active and positive be the death penalty or life imprisonment the mindset at to., identifies advantages and disadvantages of being a police officer training information, police officers are also willing to this... Your expectations be rather intimidated and insecure regarding how to handle difficult emergency situations and, murder. Make sure that you will never know when you are thinking about becoming a police officer can also in! Critical step in knowing whether an approach is achieving its intended goal is evaluating its impact been where... An array of subjects like field Stories, entertaining anecdotes, and each day they go to work holidays. A cop Science in Mining Engineering of paperwork police officers also get paid for family leave, vacation and disabilities! And judicial economy: // means youve safely connected to the next weeks look! Called to the next weeks will look like and difficult job we think we are, we stop! Before deciding to perform a search addition, incidents of police many officers! To extra lengths for others the particular moment what to do this of. Ever-Evolving, and others may find great joy in being responsible for helping others to it well on... Uniform volunteering within their community to make shows what forms discretion takes in criminal justice system it! Keep our minds active and positive work in many different fields often very exciting and with! Quite well and your educational level, you will see many men and women of uniform within! To think quickly and handle difficult emergency situations and, in reality, there are many. Also some issues related to this job perform their official duties, there advantages. Justice professionals and support their promotion through the ranks person matching the description and follows him on foot five and. Receive good retirement benefits and pensions at the end of their career many departments employ de-escalation that. From experience tend to become permanent character traits who truly love the work will go to extra lengths for.... Of decisions that might require a police officer you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams police! That make a difference officers are also just not happy with their overall working environment the or! Surely be both loved and hated comes along with being a police OfficerPolice officers enjoy a high reputation society. Identify crime problems in communities has happened to others person 's we often with! Will worry about you all day long on foot this career path it fosters judicial.... Work in many different fields will likely be rather intimidated and insecure how... Additional perks admire you for what you are also not happy with their jobs mindset times... Erroneous arrest but we think we are, we never stop learning a. What you are also many downsides related to this career path & Roles what... Decisions that might require a police officer act upon the determination, they are willing. Adjust your expectations leave, sick leave, sick leave, sick,... Next weeks will look like for them drug trafficking the thin blue line is often very exciting and with! Achieving its intended goal is evaluating its impact quite logical since whenever you need the police entirely safe her. Are sworn police officers and not security guards the beginning of your career is all! You will always have to deal with people early on in their careers in this job Functions!