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Essay about Police Role Descriptions in the Media

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"The public wants a general-purpose emergency service, available to handle problems that arise" (Katz & Walker, 2008, p. 10). The onus of this is left to the police, every hour of the day, every day of the year. Necessitating, through the sheer scope of its responsibilities, a range designation of specific roles best suited to manage its variant maintenances. These both include and supersede the attitudinal perceptions of the community and its observations of specific news events. This ties directly into recognition of a difference from the reality of law enforcement and its popular depictions. Shown through an exploration of current news stories based upon the four basic role perceptions of the police. That is, as a body focused on crime …show more content…

Still armed, using the weapon to fire off multiple rounds inside the home, a Specials Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team became the authorities answer for intervention (Associated Press, 2010). Seen through a bare synopsis, the article appears a valid account of events without invention. Showing that despite any predilection toward mythologizing the crime-fighter role, reality does bear accuracy in part of its perceptions. Of course, the reverse proves true that more serious consequences can bear fruition too. Evinced in unrealistic assumptions of what is possible judged against what takes place. A second province of police classification is that of the social servant. This role has a multitude of facets, primarily as it pertains to conflict resolution and assisting individuals in needs. Fulfilling the definitions implicit in its assignment by working closely for and with the public in all aspects of duty. One avenue of its manifestation is thus witnessed through an article extolling the job of a School Resource Officer (SRO). The feature is Officer Avrie Schott, a veteran of ten-years with the La Crosse Police Department in Wisconsin. Half of that time she has served as an SRO within the same city, working diligently to make differences in the lives of the children there. In interactions that frequently exceed just reactive measures with proactive

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