Thomas Gunderson

Professor Frances
English 111 Tues/Thurs 11:30
20 January 2015
Police Officer

A police officer. Someone who protects us, upholds the law, locks up wrongdoers. A
police officer. Sometimes viewed as a bully, a gun wielding menace to society, someone who
wants nothing more than to write tickets and arrest people for something they didnt do. No
matter how you view a police officer, good or bad, there is one thing that remains true and that is
they are still human. A human with a family. A human with emotions. Yes, they do cry. A human
with one of the toughest jobs that someone has to do. So how exactly does a police officers role
relate to our society? How exactly do they protect and serve our community? And what toll does
the police line of work have on their lives? They are good, hardworking individuals that provide
a sometimes difficult dangerous service to our society.
Imagine you are walking down the street and someone runs up out of nowhere with a gun
and robs you. You do as they say in fear of losing your life, they leave. You are now alone,
frightened, hearts racing. The first thing that comes to mind is to get out of the area safely. The
second thing that comes to mind is of course get some help. So you call 911 and they send an
officer or two to your location. Upon their arrival, a sense of relief overwhelms you. Without any
words spoken, the presence of a police car already makes you feel better. Atlas, your safe or at
least feel safe. Why is that? The officer gets your information and then asks you what happened.
You proceed to give him or her a description of the suspect and the events that had taken place.
The officer then writes their report, puts out a BOL (Be on the lookout) of the suspect and an

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APB (All points bulletin) of the crime, drives you home and ensures you that the perpetrator will
be found. The frightening ordeal is now over and you can now relax and pray that the justice
system will do its job.
Now we all know that an ordeal like that doesnt happen every day nor in the manner in
which it was described. Every event is different in their own unique way, just like any other
event in life. But it gives a general idea. The general idea being the police are here for us. When
we need them, they are only a phone call away. Why is it that when they arrive after something
bad has happened we all of the sudden tend to feel safer? When trouble starts why do we call
them? Well because we know what their job is. We know they will protect us no matter who we
are or where we come from. They will help us or provide guidance with any situation we are
dealing with. If someone starts shooting at us, we can almost guarantee the police will start
shooting back. Its all in their job.
When a new officer is recruited they know the risks involved. The risk of being hurt or
killed while on the job, the risk of having to take anothers life, the risk of losing friendships or
being persecuted by the public. A new officer generally takes an oath. The widely used oath
embraced by the International Association of Chiefs of Police reads, "On my honor, I will never
betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to
hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the Constitution, my
community, and the agency I serve." When the officer says this it is pretty much like signing a
contract to do their job, accept all the risks and protect the public.
With all that being said what exactly is the definition of police officer? The official
definition from Mariam Websters dictionary defines police as 1) to control, regulate, or keep in
order 2) to make clean, put in order 3) to supervise the operation, execution, or administration of

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to prevent or detect and prosecute violations of rules or regulations. The officer part of the
definition of police officer is simply the person that does that job. The official. The officiating.
But most importantly they are our neighbors, our friends, or even our brothers and sisters. A
simpler definition could be that officers are heroes though most officers wouldnt agree with that.
Most importantly officers are just everyday people like you and me: they are human.
Police work is a just a career although it is really hard to remember that. With all the
persecution officers face for doing their job, it can be difficult to see the good. The relationship
between officers and society varies depending on the view of the person. Every career has good
and bad people in it. Police work is no different. They are people who help others and provide a
tough sometimes dangerous service. But most importantly they are still people. Whatever job
you choose, nothing changes that. They are human.
To protect and serve or To serve and protect are terms coined by just about every

police department across the United States. Whichever one is chosen, they practically mean the
same thing and that is the police are here for us. Officers are social workers with badges that help
enforce laws, deal with people of all types, and to keep peace within communities. Yes that is an
officers job on a day to day basis. But these days with our economy in the toilet and crime
through the roof, it is becoming harder for police to protect and serve our communities.
Police are here to serve us. They serve us with the ability to fight crime and serve us with
their presence. They also serve us through community relations. Officers work with schools to
help teach kids about the negative effects drugs and alcohol have on the body and relationships
with friends and family. This is good. When police have that type of relationship with citizens in
their community it creates a bond or trust if you will that police want to help. The police serve us
with a proactive and reactive style of policing. An example of being proactive is doing police

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traffic stops. A car speeding too fast gets stopped, the officer writes them a ticket or gives them a
warning. They no longer speed. That simple traffic stop could prevent a future accident for the
person going too fast. Doing traffic stops also helps with finding wanted individuals who are
trying to escape the law. That in return could prevent future crimes from happening. Using a
reactive style means police react to crimes that have already taken place and that is where police
protect us.
The police are here to protect us. When we need them all we have to do is call. When
someone is pointing a gun at us or threatening to hurt us an officer is trained to use their weapon
if necessary and to diffuse the situation with little incident. The police are trained with special
tactics to help subdue wrongdoers. Victims of crime feel a sense of relief when the police show
up because now we know nothing more can happen to us and that the situation we have
encountered will soon be over and that the police will do their job in finding the person/people
responsible for their crime.
But that is not always the case. In some cities police only being a phone call away or the
ability to protect and serve us is a pipe dream. For example according to ABC News in Detroit,
911 calls in Detroit have at times once exceeded six hours response time. That is more than
enough time for a criminal to do what they want to do and could easily leave the city if not the
state. Hell, they could hop on a plane, fly to Orlando, and never be seen again. Think about that.
So how can police protect us if it takes that long? A guy robs you blind and it takes 6 hours
before the police even show up. The answer is clear, officers cant always protect us.
But why are response times that long? Simple. Theres not enough officers to cover all
the crime taking place. Its kind of like having one officer in charge of a thousand criminals. No
way will it work. Cities continue to cut budgets in effort to save money and when the budgets are

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cut the first to feel the effect of that decision are public services like police and fire. As soon as
police budgets are cut, officers get terminated or are offered to retire early. That means less
officers. When the presence of police goes down in a community, the crime goes up. Why not
rob a bank if you know you can get away with it or steal a car and know the police wont show
up. Its a situation that has a tumbling effect. Take away the police, crime goes up. Add more
police, crime goes down. But cities are choosing option 1, and that is taking away the police
allowing to protect us.
Another reason police cant effectively do their job of protecting and serving is lack of
equipment or equipment that is out of date. Criminology Online states an average officer needs a
baton, flashlight, radio, handcuffs, electronic controlling device (Taser), pepper spray, a firearm
and equipped magazines for the firearm. An officer also requires a good running scout car that
has working cameras, computer, lights and sirens. Those things do not come cheap and with
budgets being cut almost impossible to replace. If an officer doesnt have that equipment, how do
they do their job? Without it they cant protect us or themselves against crime. Again the
tumbling action takes effect. No equipment, crime increases and less criminals are taken off the
streets leaving them to do more harm.
It is sad that officers want to protect and serve but often cannot. What seems so simple is
often the most difficult. All we need is more money, but how will that be achieved? Im not sure.
Now every situation and every community is different. Some cities can provide their citizens
with a strong effective police presence while others can barely afford to work a normal amount
of officers. However, the police presence is always there, maybe not in the greatest strength, but
its there. Criminals will always have to keep it in their minds that someone is watching and
someone will find them. And that will continue to be part of the definition of protect and serve.

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Now as I have described before, police officers have one of the toughest jobs. So there is
no doubt that it is one of the most stressful and researchers agree. Most people view officers as
heroes, but many are unaware of the magnitude of stress police officer are under on a daily basis.
All occupations have some form of stress and everyone has to deal with it, but police stress is
unlike any other types of job related stress. Researchers studied stress 686 Massachusetts police
officers and 78 percent were prone to alcoholism and medical issues (Murtagh 2010). Long term
stress on a police officer can be detrimental on their physical, mental, and emotional health. It
can result in high blood pressure, headaches and migraines, digestive issues, heart disease,
schizophrenia and post -traumatic stress disorder (Anderson 2002). There are several causes to
police stress.
Putting aside their personal feelings and having to deal with criminals and their victims
can be quite challenging. Police officers see disheartening and brutal examples of human
indecency and pain on a day to day basis. Seeing people, especially the elderly and children
become victims of crimes such as rape, murders, robberies, and abuse can take a toll on an
officers mental health. It can make them view the world differently and therefore they can lose
perception of normal everyday life. This can lead to police officer suicide and post-traumatic
stress disorder. Criminal profiling and having to get inside the minds of criminals can also lead to
negative mental stress. Such stress can also have a negative effect on personal relationships.
Police officers also have to deal with internal and personal stressors. They often work
different shifts, sometimes on monthly rotations. Continual body rhythm alterations, such as
changing from a graveyard shift to a day shift or being on call 24/7, requires biological
adjustment. Continual changes in work hours can not only cause body stress but it can also cause
personal stress. Officers have to make adjustments in how they interact with their spouses,

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children, parents, extended family members and friends. Having to miss their son or daughters
first birthday or having to miss their wedding anniversary can put a strain on family
relationships. This can often lead to anger, abuse, divorce, or even suicide. Just as a pattern is
established within these personal relationships, changes in work shifts can upset these routines
and relationships. An officers safety can also put stress on family time and relationships.
Police work is without a doubt a very dangerous job. Sometimes officers never know
when they show up for work if theyll return home that day. Being able to maintain their
emotions and protect the lives of others while their safety is being threatened is a big challenge
and a cause of stress for most police officers. It is an officers duty to protect lives of other
people. This can be hard if someone has a gun or is shooting at you. Dealing with a violent
criminal is the hardest job a police officer will face. Even responding to a call can be stressful.
Driving down the road at rates of speed and going through intersections to get to the scene not
knowing if theyll make it or not can be very negative and stressful on their mental and physical
health. An officers day may fluctuate from slow boredom to a sudden mobilization of energy
which can create physical and mental stress. Having to carry a gun can also cause stress on
officers.
In conclusion, an officers job is no walk in the park. Their stress level can sky rocket in
the blink of an eye. This stress can lead to many medical problems and can lead to dysfunction in
personal relationships and everyday life. Having to deal with the criminal justice system like the
courts, and having to deal with department administrators and co-workers can also lead to stress.
In order to reduce stress officers can see their doctor, exercise, and talk with counselors and
psychiatrists. Sometimes medicine can be used to treat stress and the physical disorders that are

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associated with it. Police work is not for everybody, it takes a lot of courage and commitment to
help protect and serve.

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1) Anderson, Gregory S., Robin Litzenberger, and Darryl Plecas. "Physical
Evidence of Police Officer Stress." Policing 25.2 (2002): 399. ProQuest. Web.
2) Craig, Kimberly. "Detroiters Wait for Six Hours for Police to Respond to
Desperate Calls to 911." WXYZ. Scripps, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2015.
3) Dugger, Ashley. "Watchman, Legalistic & Service Policing Styles." N.p., n.d.
Web. 02 Feb. 2015.
4) "IACP What Is the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor?" IACP What Is the Law
Enforcement Oath of Honor? N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2015
5) Murtagh, Chris. "Police Stress & Alcohol Abuse." Order No. 3404784 Brandeis
University, The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, 2010. Ann
Arbor: ProQuest.
6) Police Discretion with Young Offenders." Government of Canada, Department
of Justice, Electronic Communications. N.p., 07 Jan. 2015. Web. 02 Feb. 2015.
7) Roufa, Timothy. "What Are Duty Belts? (Police Equipment)." N.p., n.d. Web. 02
Feb. 2015.