Critical Issues in Policing

                Critical Issues in Policing

Nichole DeClouette

CJS/241 Introduction to Police Theory and Practices

November 30, 2015

Kenneth Rosa

Critical Issues in Policing

Many issues arise when policing in the community. Police officers deal with different stressors on a daily basis. They not only have their personal life to handle, but they also face stressors on the job and dealing with the community. They must prepare mentally, physically, and have their body in shape internally and externally. They face the fact that they may not only have their life in danger but as well as others at all times. Furthermore, they may not have the support at work from others and also the support from the community, and that may put them in danger. It is important that all officers have thorough training and safety practices. Officers also rely on the most modern technology so that they can proceed with their job effectively.  This paper will discuss the dangers of policing, less-than-lethal weapons, technology in policing, and issues of homeland security and law enforcement relationships. I will also discuss one critical issue that interests me.

DANGERS OF POLICING

When you are in a position to protect the people and the community, your job comes with a lot of risks. Every day that an officer steps out to do their job, their lives are at risk. Not only do police risk their lives, but they are also put at risk for some other dangers that are related to police work. These dangers include physical damage to the body, mental damage to the mind, stress, various health issues, and even death. One danger for police officers, which has risen over the years, is the amount of officers being killed by offenders. According to statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 51 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2014. This is an increase of almost 89 percent when compared to the 27 officers killed in 2013. Offenders used firearms in 46 of the 51 felonious deaths. These included 32 incidents with handguns, 11 incidents with rifles, and three incidents with shotguns. Four victim officers were killed with vehicles used as weapons, and one was killed with the offender’s personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.). An additional 44 officers were accidentally killed in the line of duty in 2014. Officers have come to realize that when they go out to do their job, there is not a guarantee that they are coming back.

LESS-THAN-LETHAL WEAPONS

Less-than-lethal weapons were designed to restrain criminals without using deadly force. Using non-lethal weapons such as tasers, combat skills, and mace help do just that. In the instance where an offender is resisting arrest, a taser will help the officer apprehend the suspect. Mace is also used to subdue an offender by temporarily blinding them. Some other weapons that are considered less-than-lethal are, thermal guns which raise body temperature so fast they incapacitate the suspect, shotguns that fire nets,  bean bags filled with metal shot and fired from a converted grenade launcher, batons, and pepper spray (Johns (2012).