What Challenges Does Law Enforcement Face?

"A police force, wherever they are, is made up of amazing people, and I respect them a great deal."
--Nancy McKeon

Every job or position has its ups and downs; law enforcement isn't any different. But not every job or position requires for you to put your life or reputation on the line. Each day, thousands of law enforcement workers face the challenge of simply doing their job.

• Killing someone while on duty. Many people would think that this really isn't a challenge: was the person a threat to someone, even to the officer? He was only doing what he was trained to do. Most officers would tell you that they would rather not have to kill if it can be avoided. Taking a human life is an extreme that most people do not want to do, even if it is one of their duties as a police officer. 


• Losing a partner in the line of duty. Police partners are real relationships. These two people depend on each other for their very lives and for one to lose another can have a heavy and overwhelming effect on the other, especially if they have been together for a very long time and have faced some extreme encounters together.


• At home problems. Police officers have crazy schedules and that can mean a lot of time spent away from the family -- sometimes for days. Families have to deal with the fact that their police officer family member might not come home one day. Depending on the type of duty the officer is involved in (i.e., gangs, narcotics, etc.), family members themselves can be in danger of a retaliation hit. 


• Public opinion. Going back to the first bullet, even if the killing was in self defense or for the protection of someone else, and also due to the fact that over the years some police officers have made some poor decisions, some of the public see the officer as enemy number one, especially in low income neighborhoods. It is hard to want to go to work and defend the public when they would rather help the enemy than you, the police officer. 


• Lack of support from department. Public opinion can help turn the tide in a law enforcement agency. If a police officer shot a kid who looked like he had a gun but, in reality, it was a water pistol, the public outcry is going to hurt the department and city hall. City hall is going to crack down on the department and the department might feel pressured to take disciplinary action against the officer, removing manpower from the streets and making the city vulnerable to more criminal behavior. If an officer feels that he can't get support from his department, this can be very frustrating. 

All law enforcement agents and police officers are urged to seek therapy or peer counseling whenever they feel overwhelmed, depressed or suicidal. It's sad to think that they would feel this way considering the world is better for them being around and they are appreciated; however, with the challenges faced by law enforcement officers, it's no wonder it can be necessary at times.