Effective And Responsible Police Officers

The average United States police officer is presented with great power that could greatly impact very citizens that they serve. The officer is at liberty to use their authority to detain citizens, search their belongings, use physical force against them or deprive them of their normal liberties (Moll, 2006). Based on that fact, it is expected of the individual to conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy of such power. So the question that has plagued citizens and governing officials alike is; how can we determine if an individual will exercise those liberties responsibly? How do we teach individuals to police responsibly? How do we retain those that are proficient officers? In order to produce effective and responsible police officers, special attention must be given to the recruitment, training, and retention of qualified individuals.

The hiring process is the first step in separating the qualified individuals that will comprise of tomorrow’s police force from those who do not meet the standard. An applicant must first pass a series of tests, interviews, and background investigation to even qualify as a potential hire. The process begins with an application and a questionnaire that will communicate the individual’s interest in the field along with determining eligibility. Then the applicant will be asked to take an entrance exam which will gage the applicant’s reading comprehension, problem solving and writing skills for these are the basic skills needed to perform the simplest of police duties (Discoverpolicing.org). Following that will be a background check accompanied with a drug screening that will ensure that the individual does not have any personal or professional issues that will prevent them from active duty. If t...

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...imited to: career counseling, in-service training program and rotation of assignments, educational reimbursements, employee contracts, and offering take home vehicles (Hubbard, nd). As far as poor morale, individuals must feel as they able to give honest and candid feedback to colleagues and superiors without fear of humiliation or reprisal (Heartbeat staff, 2013).

Those we entrust to effectively and responsibly police our community should be exceptional and ethical individuals. Once they pass the checks and balances of the hiring system, they must be given proper and proven training in order to do their jobs successfully. Furthermore, agencies must provide incentives and active involvement in the careers of officers in order to retain such individuals. This will then provide the opportunity to build a stronger community by increasing the faith in those we empower.