Critical Issues in Policing Essay

Many people cast the possibility of getting shot as the most signifi beart risk of infection a police officer faces. Officer-involved shootings appear to be on the rise, and in that location is no shortage of video footage on television or online video display shootouts between officers and criminals. Todays law enforcement officers face a plenty of dangers during ever soyday duties that rival the threat of getting shot. Officers are exposed to these dangers on a daily basis such as, foot and vehicle pursuits, responding autograph three (lights and siren), making an arrest, traffic tone down, heat stroke, stress, and duty equipment and biohazard or sun exposure.Officers wear ballistic vests and heavy leather belts containing batons, pepper spray, handcuffs, a radio and a handgun. The equipment that is worn can weigh up to 20 pounds, which puts a tremendous sum of money of stress on the back, hips, knees and feet. Officers moldiness overly get into and out of a patrol vehic le up to 20 dates a day wearing this equipment. As a chair many officers are injured to the point of being unable to civilize in law enforcement any longer. Officers are also exposed to constitutional temperatures for extended periods of clip. Officers are at the mercy of whether, whether conducting traffic control at an accident scene in 100 degree heat or providing crime scene security in freezing temperatures. Most time they have not had time to stop at the store or the station before they are sent to the call so they can be standing out there without the proper protection or hydration they might need.In addition to the physical dangers, being ready for the undiagnosed is what officers must deal with, and this can place a significant amount of physical and mental stress on the officer. Officers need to remain active andprepared for any situation that develops. Rarely does an officer have time to fully prepare for the emergency call for service. Officers have to rely on tr aining and make split second ratiocinations based on an ever changing set of circumstances. But one of the most dangerous aspects of police work is pursuit driving or responding code 3. Not further do the officers have to be in control of their own vehicle, they must be fully aware of the traffic surrounding them. Officers are also responsible for the fleeing suspect even though they have no control over his vehicle. One of an officers main priorities when responding code 3, or pursuing a fleeing suspect is to ensure the safety of the public. This takes split-second decision making, specific driving skills and an awareness of the motoring public that may not see the officer or the fleeing suspect.