The Roles and Characteristics of Police Work

Warm-Up How would you expect police to act in the following situation: Two BHS students were caught being in possession of alcohol. One of the students was a straight A student. The other was star quarterback for the football team, the night before the most important game of the season.

Police Role Expectation The public expects our police officers to exercise certain roles in society. Sometimes, the public puts police between a “rock and a hard place”

Helping or Control Agents? Most people want or expect police to help people in need and fixing social problems. At the same time, police are expected to control situations, and arrest those who are breaking the law.

Experiment Time!!!! What is the role you expect the police to have???? Read the following situations and give your opinion on what type of role the police should have in each situation. Officer receives a call that shots have been fired on Church St. in Ridgeway. An officer going southbound on 220 sees a car speeding up the road in the northbound lane. An officer responds to an accident where the driver is trapped inside and gas is leaking out of the car.

Officer responds to a domestic disturbance where a husband and wife are arguing and disturbing the neighbors. An officer goes down the road and they see a woman parked on the shoulder with the hood of her car up.

Role of the Police The role of the police is difficult to define, but there are four major roles that can be agreed on..

Community leaders in public safety Have broad discretion Solve social and technical problems Serve in a hostile or dangerous environment.

Characteristics of Police Work

Police Characteristics All police are required to possess certain characteristics that allow them to perform their demanding jobs…

One wrong decision can be fatal and/or ruin a potential case 1. Quick Decision Making In many situations police are in, they have to make on the spot decisions. One wrong decision can be fatal and/or ruin a potential case

2. Independent Nature of Police Work Most officers work by themselves when out on patrol. With independence comes responsibility

3. “Dirty Work” Police have to deal with: Dead, mangled or decomposed bodies Violent people Drunk people Angry people

4. Danger Most police are fearful on the job. Every time an officer is called, they are going into the unknown. 41 officers were killed in line of duty in ‘08 10 were killed in arrest situations 8 during traffic stops 35 were killed with guns, 25 with handguns