Ask-the-public: Expectations of Police.

Here's a twist; rather than asking our staff and membership about their experiences with the public, I wanted to take some time to allow replies and responses from the public about the police.

What are your expectations of the Police?

Do you believe those expectations are met by some/most/all law enforcement officers?

What do you think can or should improve about the police in your community or State?

Let's keep it lively, on point, and civil, please. If this catches on (without an insane amount of trolling), I'd like to consider it for a regular forum area.

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Originally Posted by countybear

Here's a twist; rather than asking our staff and membership about their experiences with the public, I wanted to take some time to allow replies and responses from the public about the police.

What are your expectations of the Police?

Do you believe those expectations are met by some/most/all law enforcement officers?

What do you think can or should improve about the police in your community or State?

Let's keep it lively, on point, and civil, please. If this catches on (without an insane amount of trolling), I'd like to consider it for a regular forum area.

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My expectations of Law Enforcement are, in no particular order, to be well versed in law (state/local statutes, code etc), to have resources to research areas in which they aren't as familiar. I expect law enforcement to combine that with a well-honed sense, that being common sense. They should be unbiased, fair and objective, realizing each situation is fluid and different. The ability to cut through the bs to determine the truth of the situation is essential. A proffesional attitude is necessary, and the ability to communicate and to get others to communicate is vital. Teamwork is a requirement.

All of the officers I've dealt with seem to demonstrate such characteristics. I know not all do, but I think that generally those people that don't, don't last.

In my town, I'd like to see more interaction between the police and the public, kind of like a community policing type program. We currently do not have 24 hour police force, and I would like to see them fill the vacant full time officer position to facilitate that.

I expect LEOs to enforce the law and respond to emergencies without abusing their power. I believe that most not only do this but also make sacrifices no one should expect them to make. I wouldn't expect anyone to make less than a living wage or suffer sleep deprivation on a regular basis just to do their jobs, but many LEOs do that. No one should be expected to give their lives just to do their job, but some LEOs do that as well. I think LEOs should be paid enough to enable them to support themselves and their families without having to work multiple jobs or a lot of overtime, hired in enough numbers so that they won't always be outnumbered in high-risk situations, and allowed to keep the same shift for long periods of time, rather than having to mess up their sleep patterns by moving frequently from one shift to another.

Food for thought.

This was the 'accepted answer' to that question according to justanswer.com's submitter "WriterG" on 11-13-2009:

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- Today's society harbors a great and diverse number of crimes to be handled and safety measures to be taken care of. The main role of a police officer in today's society is to maintain order as well as keep peace and enforce laws. Police officers must ensure that all citizens are safe and secure, even those who are committing the crimes. Police officers in today's society play the role of enforcing laws, keeping citizens protected, and preventing major disasters (such as a car accident become a ten car pile up).

The expectations of a police officer in today's society are for him or her to stay in pristine physical condition and staying sharp and knowledgeable in the field of criminal justice and law enforcement.

Societies expectations of the police in today's society could be slightly overwhelming and over exaggerated. When expectations are blown too out of proportion, police cannot live up to the level of service which they were thought to possess. Expectations of police officers in today's society can be a little exaggerated but they actually do play an extremely important and vital part keeping our society running.

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Agree or disagree?

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Originally Posted by countybear

Food for thought.

This was the 'accepted answer' to that question according to justanswer.com's submitter "WriterG" on 11-13-2009:

Quote:

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Today's society harbors a great and diverse number of crimes to be handled and safety measures to be taken care of. The main role of a police officer in today's society is to maintain order as well as keep peace and enforce laws. Police officers must ensure that all citizens are safe and secure, even those who are committing the crimes. Police officers in today's society play the role of enforcing laws, keeping citizens protected, and preventing major disasters (such as a car accident become a ten car pile up).

The expectations of a police officer in today's society are for him or her to stay in pristine physical condition and staying sharp and knowledgeable in the field of criminal justice and law enforcement.

Societies expectations of the police in today's society could be slightly overwhelming and over exaggerated. When expectations are blown too out of proportion, police cannot live up to the level of service which they were thought to possess. Expectations of police officers in today's society can be a little exaggerated but they actually do play an extremely important and vital part keeping our society running.

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Agree or disagree?

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I agree with some of it, but find other parts of it hyperbolic. It's impossible, for instance, for anyone to "ensure that all citizens are safe and secure" without putting the entire population on suicide watch in solitary confinement. And no one can stay in "pristine physical condition" all the time, as everyone ages and occasionally suffers illnesses or injuries ("pristine" is also an odd adjective to use here--the author probably meant "good" or "tiptop" instead of "pristine"). :doh:

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Originally Posted by Jenna

I expect LEOs to enforce the law and respond to emergencies without abusing their power.

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Agreed. Unfortunately what one person will view as abuse, or excessive use of force, can actually be within lawful confines, policy, and, in some cases, what is expected and or necessary.

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Originally Posted by lewisipso

Agreed. Unfortunately what one person will view as abuse, or excessive use of force, can actually be within lawful confines, policy, and, in some cases, what is expected and or necessary.

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As we all know, we use the amount of physical force to control the situation. In some cases the public sees this as abusing our authority, but in today's society and in certain neighborhoods, force must be met with force. It's a very fine line we walk each and every day, but if we can look at ourselves in the mirror and know we are doing the best we can, that is enough for me.........

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Originally Posted by lewisipso

Agreed. Unfortunately what one person will view as abuse, or excessive use of force, can actually be within lawful confines, policy, and, in some cases, what is expected and or necessary.

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Some think it's abuse anytime they or their friends and family members get arrested or ticketed. :p :doh:

I expect the police to be profession, fair and firm, using common sense in dealing with each, individual situation.

I expect "you" to be honest.
I expect "you" to be fair
I expect "you" to be compassionate
I expect "you" to care
I expect "you" to not be racist
I expect "you" to be professional
I expect "you" to trustworthy ~~

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Originally Posted by Jenna

Some think it's abuse anytime they or their friends and family members get arrested or ticketed. :p :doh:

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oh my, how grown up out little girl has gotten ;)