please explain?

Question

to me why the occupation correction officer does not get the respect i believe and other law enforcement they deserve. i can get pulled over by a police officer he gives me the respect and lets me go as his brother in blue but the general public refer to us as jail guards which i couldnt understand they have no idea what we do. they are clueless that we go thru the same intense training that street police officers go thru minus vehicle pullovers, atleast in the state of nj we do lol. also do you realize without us so called jail gurards the same people you call scum could escape and perform more crazy crimes. are you aware of the dangers of the job that we must face day/night in and day/night out. just something to think about

by the way did any of you knew that in the state of nj state correction officers have full police powers , on and off duty

Answer 1

Listen…….WHO CARES what Joe scumbag thinks of you. Usually only criminals, friends of criminals or the current self-righteous generation doesn’t like police, correction officers, etc. A lot of people know what you do, how important it is, and how dangerous it is. Don’t let a small population change your outlook. I know it can be tough when all you seem to deal with is negativity. I personally could never do your job. I’m happy where I am sending the scum to you. Just remember what you contribute to this nation and how you feel when you look in the mirror.

As to why this attitude is amongst us. I think a good portion of this attitude has to do with the media. People see a police officer or correction officer beating someone and they seem to instantly conclude that all police officers or correction officers are corrupt and it must happen everywhere. Additionally, the use of force people see on the news could very well be justified, but the general public doesn’t receive the whole story or they don’t want to accept the whole story.

Stay strong brother and stay safe.

Answer 2

There are several reasons (at least in the area in which I live; Oklahoma City)

1) deputies working at the jail are often young (twenty something) gung ho entry level personnel full of testastrone, who like many of us at that age are struggling to gain presiege within thier click of coworker coupled with a sense of ego the athourity they have been given provides.

They develop the self rightious attitude that we are right and good and you are wrong and bad. We have all the power and you have none. As a result of that attitude and the desire to be a badass amongest thier peers they abuse the athourity given them.

2) They are underpaid so it not for the money that they do thier job, it is to fill some inter emotional need they have to feel powerful. Many have also taken this underpaid job becasue they lack the education or skills to have a higher paying job.

3) There is a pecking order of training, respect and athority beginning with Federal agents, State police, City police, Sherriff Dept, correctional officers, jailers.

It is the same thing in Government or Corporate America from the Board of Directors, The President/CEO, other officers, administators and thier staff, the workers or emplyees.

4) Jails aned prisons are often mismanaged and corroption / criminal activity of someone entrusted with law and order is a huge betrayal of the publics trust which has a long lasting effect upon the entire system even if it was just one indivdual.

Answer 3

It's just like the way the Marines look down on Army or Navy, it's just a machoism. I think other officers do respect you. You are in the same brotherhood, but I don't think they take you seriously. The attitudes I am familiar with are from Torrance, CA cops, they think everyone is lower because they make a crap load of money.

So for some it's a totem pole thing, who's higher on the food chain, etc. For others I think it's because of the "being in the field" difference. Your job is very structured, monotonous. Cops are out in the public, deal with current events, and see their jobs as more prestigious.

Answer 4

Police officers are seen in the public eye, whereas detention officers are not. In most places, the job of police officer requires a higher degree of education and training than does the job of Detention Officer.

Also, one must consider that television plays a large role as well. Shows such as "Cops" and any number of dramas over the years bring the job of Police Officer into the viewer's homes. When was the last time you watched a drama or reality show based upon the lives of jail guards?

Answer 5

As a retired law enforcement officer, I have the greatest respect for correctional officers, be it on the county, state, or federal level. The job they do is difficult, perilous, and poorly compensated in most cases. Records show that more correctional officers are killed in the line of duty that law enforcement officers on the street. My hat is off to you for doing the job you do.

Answer 6

I believe you answered your own question. My best friend is a "jail guard." He goes through hell, and I know this, but the general public really know nothing of your training, or your life inside your jobs. Basically, look at the movies sometime. If you're not stereotyped for being rude and obnoxious, the other stereotype is stupid, and generally hateful. The people don't know, because they don't see.

Answer 7

I have never heard negative feedback from the public surrounding correction officer, I know I wouldnt want to do it and am glad others do

Answer 8

Probably because we think of you as security guards or mall cops not real cops that put their lives on the line catching criminals.

Answer 9

because of the way you act toward citizens. to get respect you have to earn it. think about how you treat citizens do you give them the respect they deserve