Aspects of Policing
Aspects of Policing
ROBERT COLOMBO
INTRODUCTION TO POLICE THEORY AND PRACTICES/ CJA 214
05282011
MR. ALAN HAZEN
Policing is a diverse and prestige way of life. Policing is a subculture within society that is held to a higher standard due to a job that requires one make decisions in reference to taking away free individuals constitutional rights. Within the cultures of the policing society there are rules, policies, and regulations that have to be followed in order to ensure the citizens are being treated fairly but also making sure the law is being enforced correctly and without “Color of Law” violations. Issues such as use of force, utilizing weapons in certain manners at certain times, using technology and resources to best of the abilities of the department and officers within them, and other issues in policing, especially dealing with homeland security.
A lot of issues encompass the policing community. Policing or law enforcement is a dangerous way of life. An officer faces the unknown at all times and the results of the wrong technique performed or practiced could result in a disastrous outcome. No matter what the dangers an officer faces there are more and more citizens becoming police officers daily. “Amazingly, though, despite the dangers of the job and the mounting challenges they must face, more than 800,000 sworn law-enforcement officers across our nation put their lives at risk each and every day to keep America safe.” (Floyd, 2007) When an officer approaches a car on a traffic stop, a residence on a domestic violence situation, or what is supposed to be considered checking a “Routine” alarm call, dangers lurk around every corner. More police officers are killed in the line of duty every year responding to an approaching a residence on a domestic violence call. Walking in to a strangers domain and encountering the unknown is a task that has to be done but one of the most
ROBERT COLOMBO
INTRODUCTION TO POLICE THEORY AND PRACTICES/ CJA 214
05282011
MR. ALAN HAZEN
Policing is a diverse and prestige way of life. Policing is a subculture within society that is held to a higher standard due to a job that requires one make decisions in reference to taking away free individuals constitutional rights. Within the cultures of the policing society there are rules, policies, and regulations that have to be followed in order to ensure the citizens are being treated fairly but also making sure the law is being enforced correctly and without “Color of Law” violations. Issues such as use of force, utilizing weapons in certain manners at certain times, using technology and resources to best of the abilities of the department and officers within them, and other issues in policing, especially dealing with homeland security.
A lot of issues encompass the policing community. Policing or law enforcement is a dangerous way of life. An officer faces the unknown at all times and the results of the wrong technique performed or practiced could result in a disastrous outcome. No matter what the dangers an officer faces there are more and more citizens becoming police officers daily. “Amazingly, though, despite the dangers of the job and the mounting challenges they must face, more than 800,000 sworn law-enforcement officers across our nation put their lives at risk each and every day to keep America safe.” (Floyd, 2007) When an officer approaches a car on a traffic stop, a residence on a domestic violence situation, or what is supposed to be considered checking a “Routine” alarm call, dangers lurk around every corner. More police officers are killed in the line of duty every year responding to an approaching a residence on a domestic violence call. Walking in to a strangers domain and encountering the unknown is a task that has to be done but one of the most
References: Floyd, Craig, 2007, Police Dangers Increasing, Policeone.com, The National Law Enforcement officers Memorial Balko, Radley, 2007, Just How Dangerous is Police Work, Reasons.Hit & Run Alpert, Geoffery, P, Smith, Michael, R, Kaminski, R. J, Fridell, L. A., MacDonald, J, and Kubu, B, Police use of Force, Tasers, and other Less-Lethal Weapons, 2010, Department of Justice Study810 Seventh Street N.W., Washington, D.C. Bayley, David, H., 1998, Ideas in American policing, Policing in America: Assessments and Prospects, Princeton, New Jersey.