Police may be termed as a unit of authority given the mandate to enforce the laws of the land. Every government or nation has always relied on a police force to ensure peace and order within its borders. In the United States numerous arms and agencies have been created to be concerned with law enforcement. These policing institutions are created and managed by several levels of the government, that is, federal, state and local level. Each agency operates under different jurisdiction and report to the specific management level. Federal policing agencies report to the federal government, similarly state policing agencies report to the state government and so on. Thus police operation is important to any government and society in ensuring peace and harmony. This research examines police operation in the United States and the dangers that come with the profession. Additionally, the research will review aspect regarding less lethal weapons, technology employed in policing and future policing strategies.
Federal Law Enforcing Structure
The United States federal government has been granted powers by United States Code (U.S.C) to formulate a federal policing unit that will have jurisdiction in all states and territories under the United States. The Department of Justice is the largest policing arm of the federal government. The department is composed of numerous law enforcing agencies including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Marshal Services (USMS), Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
However, police personnel we are more familiar with are managed at the state level. Each state has the authority to create and manage a state policing agency commonly led by a police superintendent. State police academies enroll willing personnel to their faculty depending on interest from any citizen within the state.
Dangers of Policing
Policing as a career just like any other career has a share of its own occupational hazards. However, a police officer who is mandated to enforce law and apprehend criminals increase the on the lives of these personnel. One of the greatest dangers that police officers face is death in line of duty. According to Gaines & Kappeler (2011), 156 police officers died in 2005 due to highway accidents, assaults from suspects and work related psychological conditions.
A second danger that police officers face during execution of duty is psychological problems that arise from duty. In the united States 141 police officers committed suicide in 2008 alone . Police officers who participated in studies have indicated high level of works and psychological breakdowns due work related exposures. Traumatic events such as those experienced by emergency response units and constant fear of death put police officers in constant psychological pressure.
Less than Lethal Weapons
Police departments have always come under heavy scrutiny when it comes to apprehending suspect. Police officers have always been allowed to carry guns and such like lethal weapons. To reduce incidence of lethal force, police departments are embracing the use of non-lethal weapons in executing duty. These non-lethal employ the use of a myriad of techniques that bring suspects to admission with conflict.
Non lethal weapons can be used to stop suspect vehicles or on suspects. With regard to vehicles, iron caltrops have been employed to stop speeding suspect vehicles without having to involve the car in accidents. Gases and sprays have been used by several police units in executing police duties. Massive water sprays that use canons have been deployed to control riots or prevent mass movement to a particular direction. Pepper sprays have also provided the police with a method of bringing down aggressive suspects. Other non lethal weapons include tear gas, scent based weapons and mace.
Policing Technology
The police have always relied on technology in executing investigative roles. The finger print technology was the first such kind of technology employed by the police. In general, policing technology has been fronted as a means of improving policing effectiveness. However, police departments have been rather slow in adopting new technology.
Nowadays, however, technology is the leading edge in United States policing agencies. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the federal government has fully revamped the police technology to include a nationalized police network of face recognition software and security drones that overlook communities . Crime laboratories now employ recent equipment and other technologically advanced tools.
Homeland Security and Law Enforcement
After the September 11th attacks, Congress approved the PATRIOT ACT that called for the creation of Department of Homeland security (DHS) . DHS was to be solely concerned with aggression from organized bodies and external powers that posed dangers to the Homeland. This new department was to employ a range of techniques that intruded mush of private life of citizens. Law enforcement bodies now had a much broader mandate of arresting external aggressors.
Future of Policing
With the advent of international terrorism, police agencies now have a bigger problem in ensuring public safety. Police agencies now have to incorporate technology and secure networks. To do this, police units have to foster consortiums with the private sector in order to acquire the best use of technology. Additionally, the police need to introduce programs that are involving the community more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, police departments play a pivotal role in any society. However, as the world moves to towards modernization and technology, police departments have to cope with this trend. Authorities should realize this and provide more resources for the police department.
Dempsey, J. S. (1994). Policing: an introduction to law enforcement. New Jersey: West Pub. Co.
Gaines, L. K., & Kappeler, V. (2011). Policing in America. Boston: Elsevier,.
O'Connor, T. (2011, July 4). Police Structure of the United States. Retrieved March 5, 2012, from drtomoconnor.com: http://www.drtomoconnor.com/megapolice.htm
