Police Department Roles
Police Department Roles and Functions
Nancy Anderson
CJA/214
August 11, 2012
Miriam Moore
Police Department Roles and Functions
Police officers play many roles. In the United States the mission of law enforcement is to maintain social order and public safety by reducing crime. To accomplish this and preserve the peace, officers have five main responsibilities (CJi Interactive, 2011).
The first of these responsibilities is to enforce the law. To be able to do this the law enforcement officer must know the law and understand what laws the community they work view as a priority. Understanding and predicting crime and partnering with community organizations can help alleviate many crimes and social problems.
The second responsibility is to arrest offenders. After recognizing a law that is being broken and the individual(s) that are breaking a law, the police officer must apprehend them in a manner that is safe to the individual and also to the public. A routine incident response “helps officers obtain information, interrupt criminal activity, and provide a sense of security to citizens” (CJi Interactive, 2011).
Preventing crime is the third responsibility of a law enforcement officer. Public trust and safety are paramount for a police officer in preventing crime. By anticipating the crime risk and reducing crime opportunities through patrolling their area, police officers can reduce actual crime. Preventative patrols in an officers area helps citizens feel safer. By being visual to the community, the fourth responsibility of preserving the peace is achieved. This responsibility goes hand-in-hand with the third responsibility of being visual to the community. “All enforcement activities improve the peace of a community” (CJi Interactive, 2011). Police officers can cultivate a positive image and positive attitudes just by being visible to the public.
The last of these interwoven responsibilities is to provide service. Knowing how to
Nancy Anderson
CJA/214
August 11, 2012
Miriam Moore
Police Department Roles and Functions
Police officers play many roles. In the United States the mission of law enforcement is to maintain social order and public safety by reducing crime. To accomplish this and preserve the peace, officers have five main responsibilities (CJi Interactive, 2011).
The first of these responsibilities is to enforce the law. To be able to do this the law enforcement officer must know the law and understand what laws the community they work view as a priority. Understanding and predicting crime and partnering with community organizations can help alleviate many crimes and social problems.
The second responsibility is to arrest offenders. After recognizing a law that is being broken and the individual(s) that are breaking a law, the police officer must apprehend them in a manner that is safe to the individual and also to the public. A routine incident response “helps officers obtain information, interrupt criminal activity, and provide a sense of security to citizens” (CJi Interactive, 2011).
Preventing crime is the third responsibility of a law enforcement officer. Public trust and safety are paramount for a police officer in preventing crime. By anticipating the crime risk and reducing crime opportunities through patrolling their area, police officers can reduce actual crime. Preventative patrols in an officers area helps citizens feel safer. By being visual to the community, the fourth responsibility of preserving the peace is achieved. This responsibility goes hand-in-hand with the third responsibility of being visual to the community. “All enforcement activities improve the peace of a community” (CJi Interactive, 2011). Police officers can cultivate a positive image and positive attitudes just by being visible to the public.
The last of these interwoven responsibilities is to provide service. Knowing how to
References: CJi Interactive Multi-Media. (2011). University of Phoenix. Retrieved from http://media.pearsoncmg.com/pcp/pcp_94869_mutchnick_cj_uop/learning_modules/chapter5/5.4policerolesandfunctions/index.html Wilson, O. & McLaren, R. (1977). Police Administration. 4th ed New York.