The Development of Law Enforcement Training - Research Paper Example

The development of law enforcement training affiliation The development of law enforcement training The significance oflaw enforcements in a country cannot be diminished. Over the years, law enforcers have been provided with numerous skills and tactics aimed at increasing their quality of service delivery. Bumbak (2010) points out that, law enforcers are responsible for ensuring the safety of a state in all paradigms. The author further points out that, law enforcers are required to offer their services to the state with utmost sacrifice (Bumbak, 2010). From this argument, one may point out that there is great relationship between law enforcers and what is required from them by the state. However, the state also plays the role of equipping law enforcers with resources to increase their job description effectiveness. The provision of resources is done in respect to the needs that arise or may arise on the line of duty. One major resource allocation strategy is training. Stanislas (2013) define law enforcement training is the ability to provide enforcement authorities with the skills, information and requirements of their job description. Just like any other professional position, law enforcement requires an introduction to the job position and provision of the position requirements. Moreover, there numerous requirements for this job position that requires understanding before a candidate qualifies for the occupation. Training of law enforcers is dependent on factors of relevance, appropriateness and protocol. The three factors determine the level and mode of training enforcers are governed by. Relevance, appropriateness and protocol change over time which requires proper adjustment in the way training of law enforcements is conducted. The mode of training used 10 years ago cannot be used in the modern day training system. This is based on that perpetrators of crime have increased their expertise and developed more crime forms that requirement adjustment from law enforcers. For instance, the 9/11 attack in the United States proved that perpetrators of crime used more advanced means (Miller, Hess & Orthmann, 2010). In addition, depth of the crime is also significant. For this reason, the training of police officers has changed to enable them counter these threats. How has the training of law enforcements changed over the years? What aspects of change have been included? What main reason has influenced these changes and what significance have the changes played in the war against crime? The change to incorporate technology There is a global perception in the way in which people embrace technology. Technology has come of age as all aspects in the society have developed mechanisms based on technology. Law enforcements and police work has also embraced the use of technology. In an argument by McCoy (2009) technology has developed ways that policing has become easier and efficient. The author further points out that the use of technology in policing is limited considering the sensitivity of department. However, enough has been done to make the global trend be part of law enforcement. For instance, the communication system used by law enforcers has been changed over the years. Prior to the change radio calls were the only means by which they could communicate. In the modern society, police officers are provided with small communication gadgets that may be hidden without the enemy noticing them. Moreover, law enforcement has embraced effective information technology systems that increase the effectiveness of communication between police. Additionally, the IT mechanisms create a well-developed tracking system for police officers. Different from 10 years ago, law enforcers have to be monitored when on duty. This is done either by through their communication tools or putting in place tracking devices on police cars. This allows for easy deployment thus faster reaction to urgent situations (Dempsey & Forst, 2013). Considering these changes, training should be made to enable police officers use the technological advances. For instance, they may train a police graduate to operate IT systems. They should be trained in regards to protocol and privacy provision of the police system. This form of training was not used as police used more physical approaches to detect criminal activities. Moreover, law enforcers are trained to use the new developed communication system such as tracking devices and communication bugs. For instance, a police officer is required to know how to fit a tracking system in their cars. From the above analysis, it is an obvious assumption that modern day training of police has included mechanisms to incorporate technological changes in the system. This includes the provision to the force IT experts, mechanical experts and communication development experts. For this reason, modern day training is divided into numerous categories that enhance easy provision of task and responsibilities. However, the provision of tasks is made in regards to a person’s abilities and talent. On many occasions, law enforcement agencies search for talented persons in a particular field from which they train to develop exceptional law enforcers. Changes to tackle modern day crime After September 11, it became clear much was needed from law enforcement agencies to tackle high level criminal activities. The terrorist attack was just a sign that the efficiency of police officers should increase. In an argument by Bumbak (2010) modern day crime are well planned and executed which minimizes the ease of detection by law enforcement agencies. The author further points out that more than just physical detection of threats, the police are required to develop means of early detection (Bumbak, 2010). Apart from terror threats, cyber-crimes have been on the increase. This refers to the form of crime without any physical involvement by the perpetrator. Moreover, most major crimes are planned and executed by the use on online communication systems. This makes it difficult to detect and tackle even after detection. Additional advancements made by criminals are the use high powered assault tools. McCoy (2009) asserts that modern day criminals use cruel means of attacks. For instance, terrorists’ groups use suicide bombers to massacre people. Suicide bombers are difficult to detect and even difficult to tackle after detection. This put both the police officer on the scene and civilians at risk. To match the crimes presented police training has incorporated ways of tackling crime and minimizing the risks involved. However, one major training mechanism incorporated is the use of intelligence gathering. This influences early detection of motive. The intelligence gathering training incorporates analyzing and profiling suspicious individuals in the society. In addition, this may include following a suspect as well as tracking down their activities including conversations. In an argument by Waddington (1999) a police is trained to carry out these activities without being detected. This form of training was not used 10 years ago as intelligence gathering was based on the ability of the suspect to speak to the police and use of witness accounts. In addition, police are trained to tackle cyber criminals. This is done by exposing them to learn the operations through online communication system. A police officer is provided with the knowledge to understand a cyber-threat, locate the threat and then track down the perpetrator. This form of training was not used previously as cyber-threats were not common. In addition, resources to carry out such training were not available as well as experts to do the training. In regards to instances such as tackling suicide bombers, police training incorporates the use of conversation to calm down the criminal instead of shooting them. A police officer is required to approach the criminal with caution and then request them to surrender the bomb. The conversation should be well planned to minimize the risks involved as well initiate take-down by other police officers in the scene. To carry out such an activity requires training. Smith & Henry (2007) point out that the modern police approach mechanisms are high risk but effective compared to the shoot order previously used when an officer is encountered with a high risk situation. Changes to incorporate constitution interpretations It is an obvious observation that previously, police officers rarely used constitution interpretation during field operations. They relied on their physical strength and weapon to intimidate a criminal. For instance, a police officer could force a search on a premise without a warrant. In addition, if a person resisted arrest they would fight the suspect prior to making the arrest. In an argument by Smith & Henry (2007) disregarding constitutional provision is careless policing. The authors further point out that constitution provisions in policing ensure that a criminal is not provided with an opportunity to question their arrest or sentence (Smith & Henry, 2007). This is based on that the constitution seeks to protect citizens from unconstitutional police behavior. For instance, a police should have a warrant before they arrest or search properties. Failure to have a warrant, a person may resist arrest or restrict an officer from searching their premise. In addition, if a police officer makes an arrest without a warrant, the suspect may be acquitted of charges presented against them. For this reason, understanding the constitution is mandatory for an officer on the law. In the modern training system, educative requirements are mandatory. This makes it easier to understand the theory part of training. The theory part includes learning the constitution and all amendments created in regards to policing. For instance, police is provided with requirements from the community as a police officer. This includes requirements prior to searches and arrests. Moreover, police officers are provided with knowledge to handle prosecution cases in a situation they are called upon as witnesses. This form of training did not exist ten years ago. The community was not educated enough on their constitution rights (Reaves, 2009). This provided fewer requirements for police officers(Reaves, 2009). However, these changes are necessary in the process of making policing efficient. Changes in the training program One major change is the increase of training hours. In an argument by Haberfeld, Clarke & Shehaan (2011) increased training hours increase the effectiveness of the police. Extra training hours are used to introduce officers to new training requirements. In addition, increased training hours makes it possible for officers to increases their versatility level. A police officer may be equipped with more than one set of skills. For instance, the normal training for law enforcers includes crowd control, traffic control and normal patrol duties. With these provisions a police officer is able to be stationed at any post but still retain their effectiveness. Such training programs were not used previously as training only included equipping police officers with basic requirements such as weapon handling. This limited their working position versatility (Ganguly, 2009). References Bumbak, A. (2010). Dynamic Police Training. Boston: CRC Press. Dempsey, J. & Forst, L. (2013). An introduction to policing. New York: Cengage Learning. Ganguly, M. (2009). Broken System: Dysfunction, Abuse, and Impunity in the Indian Police. Washington: Human Rights Watch. Haberfeld, M., Clarke, C. &Shehaan, D. (2011). Police Organization and Training: Innovations in Research and Practice. New York: Springer. McCoy, A. (2009). Policing America’s Empire. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press. Miller, L., Hess, K. &Orthmann, C. (2010).Community Policing: Partnerships for Problem Solving. New York: Cengage Learning. Reaves, B. (2009).State and Local Law Enforcement Training Academies. Boston: DIANE Publishing. Smith, D. & Henry, A. (2007). Transformation of policing. New York: Ashgate Publishing. Stanislas, P. (2013). International Perspectives on Police Education and Training. London: Rutledge. Waddington, J. (1999). Policing Citizens: Authority and Rights. New Jersey: Psychology Press. Read More