6 Pros and Cons of Being a Police Officer

The job of a police officer often carries an assortment of positive and negative opportunities. However, the increased demand of this profession is one of the reasons why it is an enticing option for a lot of job seekers. If you are going to try it out, it is important to remember that there are some challenges as well as rewards that await you. Thus, here are some pros and cons of being a police officer to determine if this job is really for you or not.

List of Pros of Being a Police Officer

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. After all, who would want to sit for forty hours behind a desk each week, anyway?

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.

List of Cons of Being a Police Officer

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. There are also traffic accidents that will lead you to a situation where you should pursue a criminal.

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. Likewise, there will be possibilities that they will be exposed to some horrendous acts committed by one person to another. Thus, it will lead to post-traumatic stress disorders.

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. This is only a basic requirement as public security and safety is a job that covers 24/7.