Qualifications for Police Officers - Research Paper Example

Life as a Police Officer Introduction Police officers are an integral part of the criminal justice system as they are the first contact between offenders and the justice system. In addition, police officers are important in investigating crimes and gathering evidence, which is of paramount importance in the adjudication process as they offer key testimonies in courts which eventually lead criminals into corrections and rehabilitation facilities. The primary functions of police officers are law enforcement, assisting people in emergency situations and writing detailed reports of relevant occurrences. Whereas police officers are primarily found in cities and towns, deputies, who perform similar duties as police officers, work in rural areas as no police departments are located here. This essay will discuss life as a police officer. Qualifications for Police officers Police officers tackle a vast array of issues on a daily basis hence the need for specialized units within the police department. Some of the specialized areas include homicide, traffic, rape, police air wing, special emergency response teams and dog squads, among others. However, police officers are expected to respond to a wide spectrum of situations; even those outside their specialized units, especially in low crime areas as fewer police officer are employed in such areas. In order to qualify as a police officer in the US, one must fulfill a number of requirements, which are based on civil service regulations (DeLattre, p. 27). According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a potential police officer must be a US citizen, at least 21 years of age, have a clean record (no previous convictions), possess a valid driver’s license and have a minimum high school diploma or equal educational credential. However, independent police departments across the country may require more than these basic prerequisites before admitting one into their police force. For instance, some require applicants to have some college education, as well as a psychological profile. For instance, the Philadelphia police department requires applicants seeking officer 1 status to have at least a college education (Willis, p. 18). In addition, in order to qualify as a police officer, one must undergo a reading test where recruits are required to have the ability to read at least ninth grade level. This test is often administered through the Nelson-Denny Reading Test. Physical fitness is of paramount importance in police officers as it is the end factor as to whether or not criminals are caught when in the field. A physical fitness test is performed to confirm that police recruits are physically fit. Here, recruits are required to run for 300 miles, do bench press-ups and sit-ups (DeLattre, p. 33). Officer Training and actions Once all these requirements are ascertained, recruits undergo psychological evaluation by licensed state psychologists before being admitted to a police training academy where recruits undergo 12 to 14 weeks of training on effective ways of performing police duties such as using firearms, self defense techniques, apprehension techniques, risk assessment and responding to emergencies. At the police academies, recruits also receive basic education on the law. Officer training advocates for among other things, police officer safety, whether a crime is in progress or a civilian becomes a victim; officers’ safety is paramount. Officers’ safety is essential as it enables them to make rational decisions and enhances the performance of their response functions (Levitt, p. 45). When out of the training academies, police officers come to the realization that the principles they learn in academies are quite different from real life experiences in their various allocated departments. Different departments have different sets of policies and customs. However, the universal principles of the police force trump those of individual departments. Police officers often encounter hardships after completing their training programs in police academies. Often, when new recruits arrive at their designated departments, their field training officers make it a point to mention that whatever the recruits were taught in the academy does not quite relate to the reality on the streets (DeLattre, p. 54). This places new officers at a disadvantage as they are unable to relate to the new environment while at the same time afraid to exercise what they learnt in the academies. This unfair treatment of new police officers is perhaps what motivates some into corruption. However, majority of the officers are able to resist temptation thereby maintaining their personal integrity, and that of the entire police force. Vices among police officers The concept of upholding officer safety above all else at a scene has had detrimental effects as it attests that police officers and their safety are more important than that of those they swore to protect. While some may argue the validity of this statement, the truth is articulated through police actions such as their brutality towards suspects and civilians. For instance, during the Mollen commission hearings, when asked whether the police officers in his departments beat up suspects, NYPD Officer Bernard Cawley acknowledged that he and a few of his colleagues not only beat up suspects, but innocent civilians, as well. According to Levitt (p. 23), this is done with an aim of showing their strength and authority over the civilians. Police brutality on civilians and suspects is a touchy topic, which often leads to legal redress against officers accused of assault. While the law is candid about the right of persons, both suspects and civilians, police officers are known to contravene this law by using excessive force during arrests and intimidating civilians. Police officers’ brutality has resulted in fatalities and irreversible injury of persons. In their line of duty, police officers encounter different types of criminals, from petty thieves to rapists and murderers (Willis, p. 71). However, while they are tasked with capturing rogue civilians, some police officers are also noted to participate in criminal activities and promote injustices. For example, the most prevalent vice among police officers is corruption. This refers to illegal or excessive use of legitimate power and authority. Corruption among police officers contravenes their oath to protect and safeguard the society without adding on to insecurity witnessed by civilians. Within the police force, corruption entails actions such as falsifying reports, planting evidence, wrongful arrests, robbing and colluding with drug dealers, confiscating illegally acquired money and redirecting it into personal accounts and protecting criminals in exchange for monetary and other favors. According to Levitt (p. 102), corruption among police officers is not a new issue, in the 1920s and 1930s; incidences of police corruption were few, so during the Knapp Commission hearings, Officer Serpico of the NYPD cautioned the commission of the incumbent and foreseeable increase in corruption cases among police officers. The officer recommended that a special ever-present commission be set up to monitor police officers’ actions routinely. This recommendation was, nonetheless, disregarded, which only served to compound the corruption problem in the force. Examples of police corruption include a recent case where officers from the New York City and State police departments were sentenced for falsifying drugs evidence. In addition, in 1994, Reuters News Service reported the arrest and conviction of nine officers from New Orleans. These corrupt officers were involved in protecting the shipments and storage of more than 130 kilograms of cocaine, after which they received bribes amounting $97,000. Police officers are also noted to lie in their reports, often giving wrong accounts of occurrences during arrests and investigations. For example, in Philadelphia’s 39th precinct, five police officers were convicted for giving false information in their police reports and framing innocent civilians of possessing drugs while they (police officers) stashed large amounts of drug funds (Levitt, p. 89). Convictions of police officers in the criminal justice system have led to nearly sixty overturned cases, especially those involving false drug charges. For instance, in Philadelphia, in 1988, Betty Patterson was wrongfully arrested after an officer planted drugs in her apartment, leading to her imprisonment for three years. In 1991, however, the courts discovered that Betty was innocent and ordered her release. When questioned, the corrupt officer involved in the case told the court that they had planted the drugs with a view to get at Betty’s son. Such corruption and misplacement of authority has become commonplace among police officers and if not checked could eat into the fabric of the police force. However, while we note that some officers exercise these vices and take advantage of others through their power; it is paramount to also note that it is individual police officers that engage in these unlawful acts, but not the entire police force. Most police officers are honest in the performance of their duties by observing the rule of law in all their undertakings. It is with the help of such honest and upright police officers that the rogue ones are brought to justice. For instance, through the actions of Officer Serpico, corrupt police officers were brought to justice. Rationalizing Vices (Police remuneration and working conditions) The number of police officers taken through the criminal justice system has increased fivefold since the year 1998. As noted, corruption among police officers in New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia and all across America is commonplace. Police officers accept bribes from criminals and line their pockets with evidence money. It would be safe to assume that police officers are incapable of resisting the lure to indulge in corrupt activities in an effort to increase their pay. They rationalize actions such as taking money from drug dealers by comparing themselves to drug dealers. Here, police officers often consider their sacrifices in protecting the society, which earns them peanuts compared to drug dealers who make millions through illegal activities. Their rationale is based on their meager remuneration which averages from $20,000 to $26,000 per year for most police officers. As global living prices rise, police officers are forced to enhance their incomes through other means that are in most instances of an illegal nature (DeLattre, p. 69). When the government pronounces war on drugs, police officers, being on the righteous side, are unable to understand why the enemy should keep the spoils hence continue facilitating drug trade. In addition, some incentives offered to police officers also augment the problem of vices rationalization. These incentives are offered to police officers who arrest more drug dealers and those involved in drugs trade. This has compelled police officer to participate in illegal activities such as planting evidence in order to receive incentives that often translate into high, successful conviction rates and better pay. Through this kind of thinking, many police officers succumb to everyday temptations that plague their professional lives (DeLattre, p. 103). When considering the lives of police officers, we note that because officers are often on call throughout the day and year, their private lives are affected by the demands of their jobs. Spending quality time with family is sometimes cut short by calls to attend to emergencies or control crime situations. Frustrations from families are rife as they feel short changed because the officers are seemingly out all the times. This frustration is, in turn, channeled to officers and affects the performance of their duties, sometimes leaving them unsettled, making it easier for the officers to fall victim to adverse situations such as gun fights. Juggling professional duties and family responsibilities is difficult for some officers, often resulting in failed relationships and marriages, leaving the officers at a complete loss. Police working conditions are dreadful as they spend most of their time patrolling the streets, helping with community projects, writing reports, presenting evidence in court and conducting investigations. Police officers’ jobs are quite physically demanding and stressful. Even when not at work, officers are forced to preserve law and harmony in the community. For instance, when on vacation or leave, a police officer will be forced to assist those stuck in emergency situations or fight against criminals. While most officers work for forty hours in a week, it is not uncommon to find some taking overtime in an effort to meet demands of the job before embarking on the same process the following day. Police officers also encounter hardships in the performance of their duties. They face constant danger at the hands of criminals and other rogue police officers. History has shown numerous cases where police officers are killed in the course of duty. Police killings by criminals are the biggest causes of death for police officers when performing their daily duties. Confrontations between officers and criminals on the field are marked by death and injury on the criminals, officers and innocent civilians. Brutality meted on police officers, is yet another area of concern in the lives of police officers. Brutality is often on account of many reasons such as refusing to accept bribes, successful conviction of drug lords and interference in illegal activities. While in most instances, brutality towards officers is done by criminals; in some cases rogue police officers are used by criminals to physically assault their colleagues. According to Willis (p. 97), police officers have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. In order to survive constant dangerous ordeals on the field and during the performance of their duties, police officers rely on one another for protection through back-up systems where no single officer is allowed to go into a dangerous situation without backing from at least one more officers. Collective efforts have not only allowed police officers to catch more criminals effectively, but have also enhanced police officers’ survival in the face of adversity. Police officers also encounter the problem of layoffs. This is especially prevalent during economic hardships. Police layoffs in major cities across the nation were especially commonplace during the 2007 global economic crunch. Police layoffs adversely impact individual and collective motivation to work. In cases where close police partnerships are cut off by either officers being laid off, the officer left in the force is often demoralized and will likely not perform his duties to required standards. According to CBS (2011), layoffs of police officers in cities, in New Jersey, had a sizeable influence on the total arrests in the cities. Checking Systems Police officers spend most of their time within the confines of police stations, which serve as the headquarters of a police department or unit. Here, police officers are required to record daily events and submit them to their superiors for filing and forwarding to court systems for prosecution of suspects. When officer records show discrepancies or the officer performs his duties contrary to the provisions of the law, the Internal Affairs Bureau is tasked with performing independent investigations into the actions of the police officer and instituting suitable measures when the officer is found to have contravened the law. Through the recommendations of the Bureau of Internal affairs, police officers are not subjected to civilian review where investigations are launched to look into police misconduct in response to civilian reviews. For instance, in 1983, the Office of Citizen Complaints was established in San Francisco. This institution is mandated to accept public complaints and investigate them before forwarding its recommendations to the Internal Affairs Bureau. The police checking process also allows for promotion of qualified police officers. Once an officer has performed regular police work for some time, he is allowed to apply for specialist positions such as dog handler posts, detectives and motorcycle positions, which require additional training and testing. Conclusion Police officers perform some of the most essential duties in the society, but receive low appreciation for their efforts. Police officers protect the general public from criminals and institute measures to have the latter locked up. While most police officers are upright and law-abiding, a few within the force soil the reputation of police officers by participating in illegal deals and misusing their authority. Societal perceptions of police officers have been molded by these rogue officers and have led to the release of many films and television series that depict the police in a negative light. While most of what the public believes to be true is so, the public does not often consider the alternative side of the coin, that is, the presence of many honest officers who experience a lot of adversities in an effort to protect the public, as they swore to do. However, measures need to be taken to curb the problem of vices within the police force. Incentives should only be offered to individuals who show adherence to the rule of law when performing their daily duties. Promotions need to be done on merit rather than conviction rates. In addition, better remuneration and working conditions need to be established to enhance officers’ motivation to adhere to the law. The criminal justice system plays an integral role in dealing with the problem of rogue police officers; “dirty cops” as they are referred are arrested, convicted and placed in correctional facilities just like other civilian criminals. This is a viable step towards stemming out the culture of corruption among police officers. When police officers die in the line of duty, they receive heroic send offs from the government and their next of kin are assisted financially. Works Cited CBS. AP: In NJ, Police Layoffs Lead To Drop In Arrests. Retrieved on November 20, 2011 from: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/11/20/ap-in-nj-police-layoffs-lead-to-drop-in-arrests/ DeLattre, E.J. “The New Police Officer: Temptation and Integrity”, Beretta Leadership Bulletin, 1994. Print. Levitt, L. NYPD Confidential: Power and Corruption in the Country's Greatest Police Force. NY: Thomas Dunne Books, 2009. Print. Willis, C.  NYPD: Stories of Survival from the World's Toughest Beat. Cambridge: Da Capo Press, 2002. Print. Read More