Blog

Being a police officer is one of the most respectable jobs on the planet. However, it comes with its own fair share of responsibility and often those who wear the badges have a different story to tell. We take a look at some of the pros and cons of being a cop.

Pros:

1. Challenging Career Choice: This is actually a positive impression because even if people are having a job in the criminal justice system, they love what they are doing. In fact, this is perfect for those who love challenging tasks. It will be so unfair if they are deprived of what they truly desire.

2. Rewarding Pay for Cops: Despite their reputation of earning lower compared to most professionals, many sources explain that cops are earning way above the median income. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also states that detectives and police officers have a median rate of $55,010. As a matter of fact, other jurisdictions pay higher rates after just a matter of 5 years. Additionally, they earn more compensation such as court pay, incentives if they speak various languages, and longevity pay.

3. Many Types of Specialization: The police force offers other types of jobs in the criminal justice, which include park rangers, special assignments Unit (SWAT), K-9 Handler, undercover detectives, and field training officers. If you want to get into the force, you can always choose which best suits your desire.

4. You’re A Protector: Police officers have a very big job responsibility, to protect the people. While this is likely a stressful aspect of the job, it also comes with huge rewards. You are able to protect people, save strangers, and bring safety and comfort to people in some of their worst times.

5. No Two Days Are The Same: One of the best things that comes from being a police officer is the fact that you will never have two identical days. Every single time you put your uniform in and head to work, you are faced with all different kinds of things. You will never get bored when you are a police officer.

6. Brother’s In Blue: There is a very strong bond between fellow police officers. This is something that will stick with you for your entire life. Having an extremely close, and nearly family like bond, with coworkers is not something that you find with many jobs.

7. Retirement Is A Breeze: The benefits that you enjoy as a police officer are crazy. You have top of the line insurance, as well as simple ways to retire early! When you retire as a police officer, all of your hard work pays off in the form of pension, which you can live on for the rest of your life!

8. It’s A Respectable Job: Being a police officer is a very respectable thing. Many people look up to the police, especially young kids. Communities regularly hold events to celebrate and honor the law enforcement.

9. Sense of pride: For most police officers, it is a always a sense of pride to wear the badge knowing you are an active contributor to the safety and well being of most people you meet.

10. Government protection: In most cases, most police officers are protected by the government if they find themselves in any kind of trouble. While they are not entirely above the law, they tend to get some leeway when it comes to some issues.

Cons:

1. Dangers in the Occupation: Despite the fact that a cop has undergone considerable police training, they just couldn’t prepare enough for some eventualities. In fact, there are encounters with violent individuals carrying weapons and don’t have any regard for the safety of other people, which include their own life.

2. Lots of Patience Is Required: When dealing with high-pressure situations, it is very possible that police officers can get burned out. So part of the preparation is to have lots of patience to deal with people that are abusive, difficult, and unruly citizens.

3. Critical Work Schedules: The work schedule of certain police officers will depend on the department where they are assigned to report. Some will be required to work from 10- to 12-hour shifts, while others will be required to work overnight, during holidays, and weekends.

4. Long working hours: Law enforcement is a 24-7 operation, so somebody’s got to be patrolling the streets at all times, and that means shift work. Whether on rotating or permanent shifts, the long and irregular hours can put a crimp in an officer’s lifestyle, especially if he’s got a family.

5. Public perception: Along with the myths and the stereotypes, there’s a perception that “cop culture” is one of corruption when it comes to taking care of each other and the “thin blue line” or the “brotherhood.”

6. Misunderstanding: Like most jobs, no one who has never been an officer can truly understand what it’s like to be an officer. Thanks to Hollywood, though, so many people seem to think they do.

7. Public Scrutiny: Police officers are scrutinized by the public perhaps more than any other profession, with the notable exceptions of politicians and celebrities.

8. The Pain: A large part of any police officer’s job involves dealing with pain, both physical and psychological. Even in making an arrest, most officers do not take lightly the fact that it’s a life-changing event for the subject in question.

9. Too much Politics: It’s a sad truth that law enforcement agencies, like any other public entity, are subject to both internal and external politics. Some officers find it frustrating, if not difficult, to deal with the apparent pressures that come from the politically motivated.

10. Myths: To a lot of police officers, it often seems like anyone who’s seen an episode of Cops or taken a class in criminology is suddenly an expert on all things related to law enforcement. Because of that fact, a lot of myths are floating around out there that, frankly, make their jobs that much harder.