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Opting for a law enforcement career is a considerable decision that highlights rewards but also comes with challenges.
Police officers are given the unique opportunity to serve their communities by protecting others and developing meaningful relationships.
However, the position also comes with personal sacrifices, demanding hours, and stress.
Before embarking on this career, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons of being a police officer by examining the realities of the role.
Whether you seek a career in law enforcement or want to understand the complexities of the position, keep reading to learn more!
Pros of Being a Police Officer
The benefits of becoming a police officer include:
One: Community Respect
Since officers are working for the community and interact with those in the neighborhood regularly, they develop a sense of pride and also garner respect.
In smaller towns, this praise and respect are highly evident since every citizen knows the sheriff and deputies who are on duty.
Even in larger towns and cities with multiple precincts, those in the neighborhood get to know their officers through community events and activities.
Two: Develop Coworker Camaraderie
Police officers are responsible for building relationships with their community and coworkers.
They assist and support each other whenever possible and respond to crime scenes, routine traffic stops, or other incidents together.
As a result, officers develop excellent working relationships with one another so they can stay after and be more productive while working.
This creates a strong, lifelong bond with officers, even those who are not partners.
Three: Fantastic Benefits
A career in law enforcement can be financially rewarding, with the average salary being around $53,000 per year.
Officers are eligible for a pay increase based on the number of service years.
Those who choose to remain in the field can leverage their experience to earn a promotion to detective or into a managerial role, which comes with a pay boost.
In addition to high potential earnings, police officers receive excellent health insurance along with paid vacation, sick leave, family leave, and long-term disability.
Furthermore, the Government provides generous life insurance and retirement plans.
Four: Highly Rewarding Profession
Police officers regularly confront those who are engaging in criminal activity and work to protect law-abiding citizens from danger and harm.
As a result, officers can make a tremendous difference in the lives of those they protect and serve.
They can show empathy and compassion while remaining authoritative and firm.
They also often comfort those who are involved in difficult circumstances or situations.
Knowing that they are helping individuals during some of their worst times is an amazing feeling.
Five: No Travel Required
Some individuals don’t want to have to travel for work, and in law enforcement, this is often the case.
As you rise through the ranks and potentially to a management position, some travel may be required, but it will be limited.
For those looking to move to a new city, all locations have a law enforcement department in place, so you can apply to one of the many districts in that location.
You can traverse a law enforcement career without ever needing to travel.
Six: Serve the Community
Police officers can have a direct impact on the community they serve.
They work to protect the community and specific neighborhoods while aiding in reducing crime.
By leading investigations and arresting suspects, officers are taking criminals off the streets to keep the community safe.
Knowing you are helping the community is highly rewarding.
Seven: Stay Physically Fit
If you are searching for a profession where being physically fit is important, then entering the police force might be a great career option.
Police officers are regularly chasing and arresting potential criminals, which requires extensive endurance and strength.
Officers must train to pass a physical fitness test before entering the workforce, and they must pass annual renewal tests to ensure they remain fit.
Eight: Utilize Problem-Solving Skills
One of the primary responsibilities of a police officer is to solve problems.
They must think and act fast to keep themselves, their coworkers, and the community safe.
Those who choose to become officers enjoy solving crimes based on the gathered evidence.
For instance, police officers may utilize witness testimonies and body camera footage to put together the pieces of a crime or case.
Nine: Varying Job Duties
Police officers experience a significant variety in their daily assignments.
They could spend a shift issuing traffic citations, another responding to an accident, or another quiet shift of patrolling.
Sometimes, the shifts involve responding to a crime scene or fire, or interviewing different individuals and gathering evidence.
One guarantee is that you will never be bored or have a mundane day as a police officer.
Cons of Being a Police Officer
The downsides of becoming a police officer include:
One: Extensive Training and Education
The old days of simply signing up to be a police officer and going to the Police Academy are over.
Most officers now must have an associate degree in criminal justice or a related field, or have military or law enforcement experience, and must complete Police Academy training.
While this isn’t as long as earning a graduate or doctorate, the training time can be significant.
If you don’t mind this speed bump, it’s easy to overcome this disadvantage.
Two: Impact on Family Life
Balancing the rigorous schedule, mental health challenges, and irregular hours with family life can be incredibly difficult.
The emotional distress related to the
Three: Irregular Schedule
Although police officers work shifts, they will vary, especially when new to the force.
The new officers typically work weekends, overnights, and holidays, while the more senior law enforcement personnel enjoy better hours.
During a crisis or high-crime period, officers will need to work with other officials to mitigate risks and protect or manage the public.
Four: Losing a Colleague
Given that being a police officer can be a dangerous job, some officers deal with grief and depression from losing a partner or colleague.
Officers must face the public with controlled emotions to remain professional and cannot openly grieve for others.
Many struggle with Survivor’s Guilt, which manifests into anger that they could not do more for this individual.
This adds to the mental health issues that are common in this profession.
Five: Mandatory Retirement
Depending on your location, the city or state may have a mandatory retirement age.
For those who enjoy the work, connections, and helping the public, this can be a tremendous disadvantage.
On the other hand, if you are looking forward to retirement, then this can be a major advantage.
You can also count on retirement benefits as scheduled.
Six: Potentially Hazardous Job Environment
Police officers must be physically fit and astute to be able to detain those breaking the law.
As a result, they are often in sticky situations where they must pay attention to potential safety issues and protect civilians and colleagues.
This position requires exposure to weather, countless hours on your feet, and regular interaction with suspects and witnesses.
This can result in a highly hazardous job environment.
Seven: Potential Negative Public Interactions
Unfortunately, officers often face hostility and resistance from individuals or large masses if they are working in crowd control.
Some members of society have a negative perception of law enforcement, which can turn violent.
These situations can not only result in mental harm but can also become a safety issue.
Luckily, police officers are trained on how to deal with these situations.
Eight: Subjected to Traumatic Situations
Police officers are exposed to traumatic events, which can result in anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health challenges.
These professionals may also encounter negative public perception and social isolation at times, due to their profession.
Compounding these mental issues can wear on even the toughest-minded individuals over time.
The force does offer mental health resources to cope with the various issues personnel face.
Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer – Summary Table
| Pros of Being a Police Officer | Cons of Being a Police Officer |
|---|---|
| One: Community Respect | One: Extensive Training and Education |
| Two: Develop Coworker Camaraderie | Two: Impact on Family Life |
| Three: Fantastic Benefits | Three: Irregular Schedule |
| Four: Highly Rewarding Profession | Four: Losing a Colleague |
| Five: No Travel Required | Five: Mandatory Retirement |
| Six: Serve the Community | Six: Potentially Hazardous Job Environment |
| Seven: Stay Physically Fit | Seven: Potential Negative Public Interactions |
| Eight: Utilize Problem-Solving Skills | Eight: Subjected to Traumatic Situations |
| Nine: Varying Job Duties |
Should You Become a Police Officer?
The decision on whether to become a police officer is not an easy choice and cannot simply be based on a pros and cons list.
Instead, it’s based on a career goal and what you wish to get out of this profession.
If you are an individual who seeks to improve the local community, meet new people, and develop bonds with colleagues, neighbors, shop owners, and the local government, while remaining physically fit, then becoming a police officer might be the right choice for you.
However, it’s important to remember the mental toll it can take on you and your family, and that it can be a highly dangerous profession.
Many officers enter the force with the primary goal of helping others and improving society by putting away the bad guys, but with a strong sense of self-sacrifice.
The general public perception is that police officers are heroes, but some naysayers disagree and can cause problems.
Are you ready for this commitment?
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