POLS 4900 Lecture 14: 14
5 May 2018
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Kim 1
Every year, there are professionals in their respective fields such as doctors, lawyers, and
accountants being sued for malpractice and other crimes associated with their respective
professions going unnoticed, and yet, it seems a single split-second decision made by a police
officer in the line of duty is criticized and scorned by all on mass media mediums (White &
Escobar, 2008, p.120). The profession of policing is much more technical and more demanding
than most professions. As human beings, it common to believe that the most respected and
highly disciplined individual will not make mistakes. Publicly shaming and criticizing police
officers on mass media will most certainly not drive police officers to work harder, but rather, it
becomes a burden and hindrance to their daily tasks. Reducing the amount of negative output
towards police officers, alongside the inclusion of positive image propaganda would help with
the recruitment process in meaningful ways (White & Escobar, 2008, p.120).
However, these unrealistic expectations and demands instill fear into those who have once found
interest within the police force. This stigma towards police officers dwindles the confidence of
young and healthy applicants, which ultimately leads to lower amounts of potential applicant
turnout rates that could have perhaps taken the role of a law enforcement officer. If the term
police officer and its related terms incite a negative connotation in the minds of citizens, it would
become very difficult for the police force to recruit candidates.“Perceived job image may affect
their pride and confidence” (Youngyol & Schafer, 2009, p.18). To truly perform well in the
workplace, one must genuinely enjoy one’s respective profession, research and pursue methods
to improve their profession through implementation of new ideas and techniques, and hold pride
in their work to ultimately receive some form of intrinsic value in the profession. The stigma
towards police officers is quite severe, due to the fact that, to enforce the laws and maintain order
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Document Summary
The profession of policing is much more technical and more demanding than most professions. As human beings, it common to believe that the most respected and highly disciplined individual will not make mistakes. Publicly shaming and criticizing police officers on mass media will most certainly not drive police officers to work harder, but rather, it becomes a burden and hindrance to their daily tasks. Reducing the amount of negative output towards police officers, alongside the inclusion of positive image propaganda would help with the recruitment process in meaningful ways (white & escobar, 2008, p. 120). However, these unrealistic expectations and demands instill fear into those who have once found interest within the police force. This stigma towards police officers dwindles the confidence of young and healthy applicants, which ultimately leads to lower amounts of potential applicant turnout rates that could have perhaps taken the role of a law enforcement officer.
