Chapter Seventeen

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Chapter SeventeenLaw Enforcement as an Occupation

1Negative AspectsHours & ScheduleFinancialPhysicalEmotionalFamily Life

2Shift WorkNon-typical work weekRotating ShiftsSeniority bid Fatigue/StressFamily ProblemsInterferes with school or part time workHours & Work Schedule

3Most officers work part-time jobsNegotiate with politically sensitive government leadersLimited budgets/taxing abilityThreat of lawsuitFinancial

4PhysicalHigh risk of death or injuryStress from danger and seriousnessSuicide rate greater than general populationAlcoholismHigh blood pressureHeart attackHigh levels of adrenaline aid in degeneration of vital tissues.Average life expectancy in U.S. is 76 years compared to law enforcement officers, 59 years.

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EmotionalRequired to view and manage violent and graphic incidentsInvestigates murder, rape, assault, child abuseTrained to look for and see worst in peopleConstant subject of attention, limits social contacts to other police officers John Wayne SyndromeCynical, overly serious, emotionally withdrawn, cold, authoritarian

Super Cop, 24/7 Emotionless even when dealing with own family

6Family LifeCommunication line with family closes for protectionRefuse to talk to spouse/partner about undesirable aspects of jobHigh rate of divorceControlling, demandingOver-reacts to normal/experimental juvenile behaviors of own childrenOverly harsh and restrictive

7Positive AspectsVarietyCommunity ContactAccomplishmentsSatisfactionRespect

8VarietyWide variety of jobs and assignments (depends on size of department)Nothing worse than working a desk jobEnjoy working non-typical hours

9Community ContactPeople BusinessPerson to person contact characterizes police workMeet new people from all walks of lifeEstablish friendships and community contacts10AccomplishmentFollow case from beginning to endGather evidence, find suspect, take case to court, guilty convictionWell planned search warrant or operationFeeling of confidence and self worth11SatisfactionJob is importantHelping to make society a better placeSaving a lifeDefuse dangerous situationArrest criminalsPositive role model

12RespectMost people have respect for law enforcementLaw enforcement demands certain kind of individual

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Job Opportunities640,000 employed in federal, state, county, and city law enforcement.Civilian staff positions Equal opportunity for women

14Minimum Qualifications and TestingCitizenshipCharacterWritten TestPhysical ExaminationPhysical Agility Test

Psychological AssessmentOral InterviewCertificationApplication for employment15CitizenshipMust be citizen of the United StatesIn some cases, the officer must reside in the jurisdictional limits of their agency 16CharacterBackground InvestigationHonestyIntegrityReputationCredit RatingDriving RecordCriminal HistoryAlcohol/Drug useAny felony convictionCrime involving dishonestyUnlawful sexual conductPhysical violenceSerious traffic offensesHabitual breaking of laws17Written TestReadingReport writingGrammarMathematicsComputer skills18Physical ExamVisionHearingBack problemsEvidence of future medical problems19Physical Agility TestOne minuteMale (age 21)Female (age 21)Push ups32 13Sit ups4434Flexibility18211.5 mile run12:1514:5620Oral Interview30 minute interviewConducted by panel of administrators and supervisorsAll applicants asked same questionsOral communication skills, ability to analyze questions, reaction to pressureWhy do you want to be a police officer?Could you shoot someone?Tell us about a time you took a leadership role in a stressful situationHave you ever violated a policy or rule and why?21Certification440 hours (11 weeks) at P.O.S.T.40 hours in-service training annually to maintain certification22Application for EmploymentAgeEducationPay scale and benefit packagePromotion possibilitiesGeographical locationPrimary law enforcement functionSize of agencyAgency policies Outside employmentUse of vehicleResidency requirements23