Becoming a Police Officer
Keisha Elliott
CJA/214
May/114/2012 Jeremy Leach
Elliott Becoming a Police Officer
The act of communicating is a universal practice shared and used by all human beings. It is so universal that it holds true to many different definitions of its meaning. The act could be defined as the expelling of thoughts into words to transmit information to another person. Communication exists between two or more individuals to share information, ideas, thoughts or feelings. Within the criminal justice system communication is a very important process because of the sensitivity of the lives it may affect.
.Communication is
Every department may have a different set of requirements before an applicant can be
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Oral interviews are conducted by department heads or boards to question the candidate on varies subjects and to evaluate the candidate face to face. Most departments also conduct polygraph test to detect or eliminate any possibility of deception from the candidate.
Candidates who pass all the selection criteria with disqualifying factors ruled out; candidates are available for the training process. In state and large police departments, recruits get training in their agency’s police academy (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012). Smaller agencies recruits may attend a regional or state academy. Training includes classroom instruction in constitutional law, civil rights, state laws and ordinance, and police ethics (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012) Recruits also receive training and supervised experience in areas such as, patrol, traffic control, the use of firearms, self defense, first, and emergency response (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012).
Training in mandated by states but agencies often develop their training requirements to their discretion. For Example, the state of NC requires 16 weeks of police training but the City of Durham Police Academy is 26 weeks long and teaches more than the state mandates (Police Department City of Durham NC, 2012). The classes include pursuit driving, defense tatics, firearms, and North Carolina domestic law (Police Department City of Durham NC, 2012). The recruits learn
Also, I would be aware of officers applying with the sole motivation of advancing their own careers rather than having the true motivation of training new officers (Scoville, 2005). There would have to be a minimum amount of time served on patrol, and depending on the size of the agency, the time requirement could be different. I would say 5 years is a good starting point. Data has suggested that FTO’s can become “burnt-out” due to the long shifts and constant flow of new officers rotating in (Doerner, 2012). Officers that possess a strong quality of patients are essential. I would require FTO’s to pass a FTO trainers course consisting of at least 40 hours. The course will provide the qualification of becoming certified as an instructor. I would seek officers that have a diverse qualification background such as K-9, anti-gang/drug, traffic, and homicide, which would expose new officers to the many faucets of police work. Although not a qualification, FTO selection would be strictly reserved for officers that are absolutely honest, have a tough work ethic, and exemplifies moral principals. The long-term impact FTOs have on new officers cannot be
This paper will show four different police departments that are currently hiring or recruiting for police officers. There will be a summary on the research found on the process used to recruit police officers. It will also show their current hiring trends and what hiring practices they have that are successful or not successful. The paper will also go over the different methods departments use to train their new officers and their values.
How can communication be improved in an organization that is structured in a traditional bureaucratic form?
Communication is a process of transferring information from one person or from a group of people to the other. Communication can also be defined as a way and form of passing or receiving a message. People communicate to express or share a concern and allow the passing of message. By not communicating can limit the people’s ability to connect with each other. For instance care worker to care users and other professionals in the care setting environment. People communicate so that they can understand the needs of others and it ensures ways of building trust and resolving conflicts. Communication is a two way process that enables sharing of experience.
In some small towns, new officers get their training by working with an experienced officer. Inexperienced officers always are accompanied by veteran officers in order for them to learn. In bigger cities, police departments give classroom instructions in laws, accident investigation, city ordinances, and traffic control. Also they give instruction in the handling of firearms, methods of apprehension and arrest, self-defense tactics, and first-aid techniques. Even when you become an officer, you might still have to be trained in order to use new equipment as technology becomes more advanced.
Communication involves the exchange of messages and is a process which all individuals participate in. Whether it is through spoken word, written word, non-verbal means or even silence, messages are constantly being exchanged between individuals or groups of people (Bach & Grant 2009). All behaviour has a message and communication is a process which individuals cannot avoid being involved with (Ellis et al 1995).
Communication is a process by which two or more people exchange ideas, facts, feelings, or impressions in ways that gains common understanding of messages. Communication can be used to bring out changes in attitudes and used to motivate people and establish and maintain relationships, it is also vital for seeking and providing information.
Differences and Similarities in Police Training and Policy in the United States and other Countries
This paper, will discuss the processes of verbal and nonverbal communication, including associated components of each, the differences between listening and hearing regarding communications. Also covered will be the formal and informal channels of communication that may be used within criminal justice organizations and implemented strategies used to overcome communication barriers therein. Verbal and nonverbal communication are the two main divisions of communication, and each specific realm deals with its own unique subject matters, symbols, behaviors, and processes.
Communication helps police officers get their jobs done behind the scenes. One way police officers communicate is through effective writing; it is communication that the public does not see, but it is still very important. The public does not see police officers filling out the stacks of paperwork inherent in their job, but nevertheless, this
Looking at the training on the local level in relation to that of the training academy in Bristol offers a stark difference in the time to train the local law enforcement. The training guide to law enforcement offers that the average training program for local police is about six weeks of training (Academy, 2008). The levels of training reflects the needs of the law enforcement officer and the occurrences that the officer will likely encounter in the field on his patrol. The training of officers usually consists of a classroom part and a field training part. The sessions of training often provide the officers with a balance for the skills and techniques that the officer will likely employ in the field. Such skills and techniques as firearms training, handcuffing, and paperwork preparation are usually training received at a police academy.
A: I went to Western Illinois university for my bachelors degree, which is 4 years for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. After College I spend 2 weeks shadowing my FTO (field training officer) for on the job training. After words we spend time in PTI (police training institute for about 5 weeks.
Law enforcement officers are inducted into the police subculture early in their career. As early as the academy, law enforcement recruits begin learning about ethics, rank structure, ethos, and other values. During the academy, recruits are trained on specific tasks tailored to police work from 8 to 16 weeks. They are taught combative skills, marksmanship, defensive driving, and other techniques unique to law enforcement by the academy staff. The academy staff normally consists of seasoned officers that usually have military training or backgrounds. In most cases, recruits tend to emulate or try to identify with these officers.
The curriculum that is devised for a police officer is very important to the police officer and his or her success in their chosen career path. An officer’s training is also very important to the community in which they serve and the department in which they work. An officer must receive training in a variety of fields to help them be a well-rounded police officer. Officers receive training in such areas as: law, community relations, firearms, vehicle driving, search and seizure, and cultural awareness. The basic curriculum that is offered to a new recruit is focused on giving the recruit the best overall training that will give him or her the tools necessary to become the
The psychologist serves a great purpose in the law enforcement as well. The police psychologists provide services that are used to counter police use of excessive force. The psychologists are there to characterize the types of officers who are known to abuse force and to recommend psychology-based intervention that could help police managers reduce cases of excessive force. Some think that the police departments should rely mostly on pre employment screening to identify violence-prone candidates.