Should Law Enforcement be a "Profession"?

Question

The controversey has been that police officers should be held to the same standard as lawyers, doctors, and other professionals? In some cases law enforcement is set up like a profession, but in many ways is still considered blue collar work.

People have argued that they would prefer that police officers, those that carry the guns and "protect and serve" us should be governed by the same structure of that of lawyers, etc.

If thats the case, law enforcement would have specific education restructuring. At the very least Bachelor degrees would be required. In states like Minnesota and Wisconsin, at least an associates degree (MN) or 60 college credits are required before appyling for any position.

I just want to know what your thought is on it. I am a senior at a University and we have discussed extensively, and I want to get a wider perspective, especially since I am going into law enforcement. Please I am looking for serious answers here.

Answer 1

Rob is right. Persons with a degree have other options, and who would want to take a job that pays $25 or $30K to start when the private sector will offer much more.

I don't think that a degree requirement should be necessary as long as a candidate displays the required intellegence and apptitude for the job during the selection process and successfully completes the training process.

As it is now police officers are given intensive training both before and after they go on the road that is equal to or in some cases exceed the course requirements for a degree.

Believe me it is not easy to get through a police academy class. Our class lost 12 out of 60 in the first few weeks and ended up graduating 40. Thats a 33% failure rate and probably about average for our profession.

To answer your question, it already is a profession, where it differs from other professions is in regulation of performance. Other professions have independant organizations to police their members such as the Bar for lawyers and are generally independant contractors.

Police are employees, are governed by their employers, and are usually represented by a union that negotiates benefits and work rules. They work they under a contract with their employer, similar to blue collar workers.

Should the police have an independant body to govern and enforce their actions made up of other police?

Take lawyers as an example, their governing body is comprised of fellow lawyers who investigate complaints and hand out sanctions.

How many unscrupulous lawyers are still out there, and how does the public feel about it? Some of the most successful lawyers are the shadiest ones who wear the badge of "ambulance chaser" with honor. The public's opinion is that they have to be that way to do their job. Should we use the bar system as a model the police?

We have a similar system in place now to a degree and though it's my belief as a police officer that an Internal Affairs unit is an effective way to investigate police misdeeds, the public has little confidence in the process. They feel that cops protect each other.

In truth, 99% of all police officers are fair and impartial and respect their profession enough to welcome the opportunity to weed out a bad apple among their ranks. Most of the time bad cops are able to maintain their jobs by exploiting the same due process rights that criminals use and beat the system, not due to some cover up initiated by his cop buddies.

Civilian Review Boards are not the answer either as they don't understand police procedures and are usually comprised of individuals who have an axe to grind with the police anyway.

Blended panels are ineffective because they can rarely come up with a consensus.

Polls show that the public preceives a lawyers trustworthyness on a par with used car salesmen. Now that's low. Cops have taken a hit in the same polls but still rank right up there with clergyman and doctors.

What is needed is a more open process to increase public understanding and confidence in the police profession. The system ain't perfect but it works.

Thats my input! Hope you get an A.

Answer 2

I believe that it should be considered a profession. When I came on the job 22 years ago the requirements were that you had to be 18 and have a valid driver's license and a telephone (before the days of cells and PC's). In addition a high school diploma or GED were required. Although the age has been boosted to 21, some places still require HS/GED.
I went to collge and obtained my degree nights. Considering the extensive courses you are required to take, plus those that the department sends you too in addition, it becomes very complex.
A lot has changed in the 22 years I've been around. The domestic violence laws were non-existant. You'd go to a call and if the person who was assaulted didn't want to press charges, you left. The laws have changed greatly and every year my department holds 16 hours per officer of training for law update and state/federal supreme court decisions.
In addition, you have to bear in mind that a police officer has a considerable amount of power. You can actually remove a persons civil rights by stopping their movements and taking them into custody and if necessary, physically restrain them from leaving. Although this is allowable under law naturally the situation has to be just right to ensure you don't violate those rights to the point of what is considered "unreasonable" As a college student if you've studied law or criminal justice you'll always hear the word "unreasonable". Its a part of the lexicon. You can search persons and their property. Impede their movement and seize their papers and property. That's a lot of authority and power.
So, to have that kind of responsibility and the never-ending training that goes with it makes it a profession. Not to mention that doesn't even cover the forensic and interviewing techniques.

Answer 3

My dearly departed father was a police officer for 33 years, and my husband is a Sargent with the police department. And I also worked as a radio operator for 11 years.

I don't think that police should have to get a degree, but I do think that they should focus more on "book smarts" also. I know with our police they focus on being physically fit...not they didn't do this many years ago. They found that they were getting people that could run, but not read and write. You would be surprised at the officers who cant write plain English and follow grammar rules. I know that the "donut chasing officer" gave police a bad rap, but back when my dad was an officer, they did a great job and didn't focus so much on such. My father went to classes and yes he did eventually get an associate degree in juvenile justice, but even being a bit over weight, he did a wonderful job.

I am horrified at he way people think that police are "out to get them". I had a doctor, a shrink, tell me that an officer set up a stop sign detail, just to catch him running the sign...hello...it's a law, don't break it. People put down on police when they get caught doing wrong, but hey also call when they need help....I think police are paid way too little for putting their lives on the line for strangers!!!!

Answer 4

In a nutshell, Law Enforcement is a profession. It requires it's officers to attend accredited police academies as well as hold valid certifications with weapons and tactics, first aid, local and state law, (P.O.S.T., or Police Officers Standards & Training) etc. The certifications are not just a one time thing. They are ongoing with some certifications requiring monthly recertifications. The title, "Profession", by definition, is "An occupation requiring specialized education". Does that not describe the requirements? Different professions require different specialized education. Just because police officers do not receive their primary education at a college does not make them less a professional. Excellent question!

Answer 5

yes it should be a profession like any other job that education is required to be a law enforcement person. when we chose to work at a job that we can safely say we will retire from it is a profession and cops are professionals at what they do.it can be white and blue collar work just like many other employment.any job that requires any education or a degree is a profession.

Answer 6

You do have to have a degree of some type to be a Officer, except for in a little crap town. And some(i say some because i live in a little crap town where anybody can get a badge, and most of them are fat bastards w. something to prove) police officers do get paid very little for putN their lives on the line, then you have pro athletes getting millions. seems kinda odd huh?

Answer 7

Law enforcement is every citizen`s duty. All of us are professionals. Getting a state or federal job is different.

Answer 8

I think it should be a professional career. My brother is a cop and he went to college to get an associate prior to becoming a cop. They are out there protecting our lives they should be paid more. They hardly make anything as it is.

Answer 9

They should respect Science while the time is so long.
Many chiefs have 100k or more.
Police officers below the chief could be less perfect.
Why don't the chiefs respect people?
ny

Answer 10

Are you ready to pay for that? Do you want to pay a police officer 100k and more a year? If so,