What issues, problems, and opportunities do the police officers in a city face in their public safety efforts?

Answer 1

Public safety---traffic control, firearms training, drug enforcement and education in schools, drivers training and certification, gun safety classes and instruction.

It is really difficult to tell you everything a police officer is challenged by in a brief space. But I have heard officers in New Orleans say it is 7 hours and 50 minutes of boring followed by 10 minutes of adrenline pumping excitement and sheer terror. Keeping people safe from murderers, rapists, thieves, carjackers, drug dealers, shoplifters, muggers, etc is a full time job to say the least. But consider this. In addition to putting their lives on the line every time they go to work----they are required to study the laws enacted by Congress to make sure they don't "infringe" on the suspects rights. The have to pass qualifying at the shooting range. If they don't shoot well they can't go out on the streets. They are inundated with so much paperwork that the person they arrested is back on the street hours before they can write up the incident.

In addition to that they are required to help with natural disasters, major traffic accidents, multiple homicides, child abuse cases ----- all of which makes them sick to their stomach. And then we ask them to go home to their families and be a great family person. How many of us would do for our communities what these men and women do every single day.

I am not in law enforcement but I respect them greatly. And I think I need to remember to say thank you every time I see one of them on the streets or in a restaurant----or at the donut shop. (kidding gang.) we don't have any donut shops down here. Just bienets. :-)