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 dangerous. In an article entitled, How Dangerous is Police Work, the statement was made, “Generally, police are about three times more likely to be killed on the job as the average American. ” (Balko, 2007) Throughout the history of law enforcement the police officer has been known for several things and a few tereotypical was of being identified. When the normal, everyday, average citizen thinks of a police officer the image of a uniform, radio, badge, and most of all a gun.
The first thing a citizen notices is the police officers service weapon. It is an unfortunate, but necessary, part of the uniform. Through time and the changing of society other options of force being used has come about. Uses of force termed, “Less than Lethal” has been an extremely predominate way of policing society. Less lethal uses of forced is defined as “Force which is less than deadly force. (Alpert, Smith, Kaminski, Fridell, Macdonald, Kubu, 2010. ) The days of using deadly force as a first option are over. With the increase in technology in today’s law enforcement community less than lethal force has provided a different alternative in the way criminals are subdued, arrested, or taken in to custody. No matter what the reason is when taking a suspect in to custody, the use of force and the preservation of life is still of the essence. Taking suspects in to custody these days can be done by using several, relevantly new ways.
With the use of tasers, pepper spray and other gasses, and the use of rubber bullets that do not penetrate the skin have been used more frequently. The reduction of lethal force cases in today’s society has not only cut down on fatalities, weather unjustified or justified, have been significantly reduced. The preservation of life has become a major topic in today’s society, in the law enforcement community, and the way the citizens and the courts view the police departments and their functions this day in age.
With all the options a police officer has to save lives instead of taking them has grown from the days of the past. With the use of tasers, pepper spray, and other means of less lethal force, taking suspect in to custody safely and with minimal injuries has become the better way to police. In the new day in age of policing the law enforcement communities have come together to enforce laws, deter crimes, and apprehend criminals. Working together as a team is a vital aspect of all institutions. The local law enforcement and Homeland Security Department working hand in hand is detrimental and very important.
The local police are the first responders to a situation of terrorist incidences. Being the first responders the local police department is the eyes and ears for the Homeland Security Department. Since local law enforcement are more likely to encounter terrorist and security threats working as a team is necessary. The Homeland Security Department does not have the appropriate manpower to regularly patrol the streets, therefore, the local jurisdictions collect intelligence, reports incidences, and forwards all the information gained to the higher agencies.
Some negative effects could be prevalent as well. The local law enforcement agencies might not have the proper resources to affectively investigate the crimes that are occurring from the suspects the Homeland Security Department have interests in. Once the suspects have been detained, information collected, and the investigation started proper intelligence might not be sent to the higher ups in accordance to policies and procedures. Also without the proper information being passed along, criminals could slip through the cracks and avoid apprehension.
Clear, specific communication is needed at all levels to be able to assist every agency at any time. The future of policing is ever evolving due to the increasing amounts of tensions of individuals, groups, and organizations at all levels. Training and education of officers at every level is extremely important so keeping up with trends can be and will be accomplished. “The future of American policing will be shaped most profoundly. ” (Bayley, p. 5) As diverse and dynamic as policing is today, the technology, ideas, and theory’s will only make the profession better.
The future of policing is becoming more technically advance that a lot of the other businesses in today’s society. The idea of better police officers, with better equipment, and the resources to effectively do the job of “Protecting and Serving” better is vital. Citizens depend on the perseverance of life and the protection of the civil liberties they were granted by the constitution of the United States long ago. The citizens look for the preservation of life from the police agency that serves society daily.
Law enforcement is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, with all of the resources that are allocated, training that is evolving, studies that are being conducted, and law enforcements future is bright. Policing is one of the worlds’ most dangerous jobs. It takes special individuals to make it through all the training, education, and tasks that need to be completed on daily basis. The changing of technology, upgrading in training, and the evolution of how things in this profession is done are aspects of the job that need to be perfected.
The dangers of policing will always be there and will continue to grow at an alarming rate. The officers of the day are and need to be better trained, well educated, and properly equipped. With use less lethal technology being used more and more each day, faith, confidence, and loyalty will be gained by the community. With the community being comfortable and believing in the police department the fighting of crime will become easier. The teamwork between federal agencies and local departments will be essential to protecting the way of life and all of the liberties of today.
Nobody knows what the future of law enforcement will bring. As long as the law enforcement community has the support of the citizens and congress, fighting crime will become simplistic. As a team comprised of citizens, government, and police there is nothing in this world that could not and would not be accomplished with it comes to the preservation of life, liberties, and the pursuit of happiness in a peaceful society.
References
Floyd, Craig, 2007, Police Dangers Increasing, Policeone. om, 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.
