Professionalism in Law Enforcement

Professionalism in Law Enforcement
Student:
Institution:

Introduction
Any society needs to manage its affairs by law and order. Thus, there must be a system by which some of the members of a community or society help in organizing ways by which to enforce the law. This process requires the identification, deterrence, rehabilitation, as well as the punishment of some of the errant members of society in regard to the norms of the society. In many cases, law enforcement has been used to refer to courts and some of the authorities who are entitled to patrol with the aim of discovering and correcting criminal activities. However, other entities do surveillance, investigation, and prosecution in the process of dissuading criminality as well as ensuring all offenders are punished. This task of law enforcement has been mostly carried out by the police and other related agencies. Thus, law enforcement is used to deal with the processes that prevent or deter crimes as well as punishing those who go against the dictates of the set customs. On the other side, professionalism is the practice of competence that demonstrates a skillful execution of duties and responsibilities in a particular field. The value of professionalism ought to demonstrate adequate training, sound judgment, polite behavior, and allegiance to the law.
Law enforcement agencies are individuals tasked with the responsibility of making sure that laws and regulations in any society are adhered to need to act with the highest level of competence.

The police, who are the number one law enforcers, have the duty to demonstrate professional skills and expertise in their daily work. This process will help them execute their mandate while maintaining cordial relation with the public. Also, the government, mainly the judiciary relies more on the enforcers who help in solving criminal issues. Thus, any act of non-professionalism is likely to compromise the quality services from the policing departments to the public. Also, it lowers the public trust in the police as people develop negative attitudes towards law enforcement. A professional policing system will help the government solve all the security issues both internally and externally. Any work will always emphasize professional practice to maintain the required service standards.
Outline
This study looks at the application of professionalism in the process of law enforcement. It starts by highlighting some of the institutions that are responsible for enforcing laws and regulation. By using the police as a typical example entrusted with law enforcement, the paper provides an analysis of the social and government investment in the entire process. This gives an opportunity to assess the social as well as economic demand of patrolling in any community. The amount of resources that government and people spend in enforcing the law shows how crucial the practice is in various contexts. To avoid the abuse of power given to the enforcers, also their jurisdiction is defined as well as an outline for the professional skill requirements. In the US, the several starts have their law enforcement agencies. However, the role of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is outlined and its importance in policing. Also, the study incorporates some parts of the Saint Leo Core Values of Responsible Steward. The law enforcement agencies are stewards who act on behalf of the community or government. Thus, some values and skills help in the process of service delivery to appear more professional. A brief review of the literature provides an insight into some of the past studies and their recommendation on the importance and the need for professionalism in policing.
Problem statement
Law enforcement is a career that has a lot of national and local interest. It deals with ensuring that the law is protected at all costs. However, there have been questions regarding the conduct of the officers in this profession. First, there has been concern about the relationship between the public and the law enforcement units, like the police. Law enforcement officers undergo training in which they are taught various aspects and skills that help them to execute their day-to-day mandate. Also, they are though some of the core values, ethical standards, as well as professional requirements. The importance of all these skills is to prepare them for a noble task which they undertake like other professionals. Many people have however questioned the level of judgment and professionalism of the police officers. Bearing in mind that police officers are human beings with emotions, they have at times treated some offenders and those seeking justice in a manner that demonstrates lack of ethical standards. As such, the police and other agencies have been charged with the misconception that they lack professional skills and competency to execute their mandate. However, the leaders in this filed have made several attempts to improve public confidence as well as perceptions that the police are professionals like other employees. The government, through parliament, has also helped the police to develop the code of conduct which assists the police in acting responsibly. Another challenge law enforcement that raises the question of integrity and professionalism is corruption. This has attracted too strict laws and professional standards to punish offenders. Thus, professionalism is a critical requirement in law enforcement to ensure that the responsible officers deliver quality and reliable services.
Oath of office of law enforcement
One of the tools used by law enforcement agencies to make their employees professional is the oath of office. Upon the completion of the required training, the police officers are inducted into their work. This is preceded by an oath in which they swear to protect, uphold, and defend the constitution or the set rules. Also, the pledge has some of the promises that the offers made, to be honest, sober, honorable, and professional. These promises are prepared to help the officers demonstrate their willingness to obey their leaders as well as providing services to the expected standards. It should be noted that the officers are ordinary citizens just like the other people. Thus, it is a sacrifice that they make to serve their governments and community to improve the security conditions. The oath provides a binding agreement that the offers make before they assume any office. Also, they make a swearing that they will act in honest and sincere as upstanding and loyal citizens.
Tyler (2011) stated that the oath of office or allegiance taken by the officers provides a promise in which they commit to being part of the solutions facing the community. There could be some of the rules which the officers may or may not agree with. However, the oath makes them agree with all of them with a promise to serve diligently like other professionals. With a pledge to act in an honorable manner, the officers also commit to own their mistakes. This shows that they should act as role models. However, it should be understood that the police are also human beings and thus, they cannot be perfect. Therefore, they need to act within the highest professional standards and avoid intentional mistakes as they help in the process of law enforcement. Through the oath, the officers are reminded of their duty to protect the law and help the errant members of the community recognize the statutory requirements. Just like in other professionals, the officers are required to recite the oath in public to show that they are ready and willing to serve in the various duties they are assigned.
Core Values in law enforcement
According to Skolnick (2011), in the process of enforcing the law, there are some of the values that the officers in charge are expected to demonstrate. These are provided in every department, and it included integrity, accountability, honesty, hard work, and many more others depending on an agency. However, the Saint Leo provides some of the cores that are evident any responsible steward. These values are universally applicable to any professionals where the employees demonstrate a sense of stewardship. In these values by Saint Leo, it is acknowledged that all the resources we have been given in abundance are meant to help us serve others. Respect for human dignity is also another aspect that guides the law enforcement agencies in dealing with other citizens. From the Saint Leo core values, there is much that we can borrow and apply to the law enforcement agencies. Transparency and professionalism are the fundamental values that policing requires for it to meet its intended purpose. Above, the enforcement agents should recognize the creator apart from the government as the primary source of their authority.
Code of ethics in law enforcement
Every profession requires the highest performance standards to help in guiding employees in the execution of their mandate. Taking the oath of office is one of the mechanisms used by the law enforcement agencies to ensure that its workers have ethical behavior. In the US, the ethical standards have been codified as a reminder to the officers that they are expected to act professionally in their duty. The codes in the law enforcement include those that the agencies wish to promote as well as those that they hope the officers to demonstrate in their professional practice. Codes of ethics are provisions which are specifically meant to promote and safeguard the doctrines of law and order. Also, the codes emphasize the importance of minimizing bias as well as respecting human dignity. Thus, the law enforcement units have adopted these codes as a badge that helps them to build public trust in their work. Some of the codes of ethics are imparted during the formal training for the law enforcement officers. Some of these ethical codes include quality and equitable service to all citizens, respect to human life, avoidance of bias, and sound judgment.
Ways to improve professionalism in law enforcement
The government and other social organizations have adopted several mechanisms which help to maintain the level of professionalism among their officers. These are applied and taken the moment officers join formal training to work for the government. While undergoing training, the police officers are thought to be honest, diligent, as well as law abiding. Teaching the enforcers to lead by example is a way of helping them to act like professionals. Also, the officers in the various law enforcement departments are always encouraged to use theirs and authority responsibly. Some officers whose integrity has been doubted get subjected to some professional tests. These tests are meant to gauge their level of understanding of what they are expected to do. The US government through the Congress has set aside adequate financial and training resources to ensure that the officers get professional skills. Similarly, there are strict punishments among those officers who are found to act in a manner that compromises professional standards (Tyler, 2011).
Initially, the entry requirement to law enforcement agencies was neglected. This condition also dictated the quality of education offered while the officers underwent training. Currently, the government is strict in recruiting the officers. Specialized knowledge is provided, and certificates offered these moves are aimed at increasing the level of competence and professionalism in the law enforcement profession. Taking the oath of office and emphasis on core values as well as the code of ethics has also helped to boost the level of professionalism in law enforcement.
Advantages of professionalism in law enforcement
Professionalism helps any worker to think critically and make a rational decision. Owing to the decisions made by law enforcement officers, there is a need for the highest professional standards. This process will help improve the level of reliability by the public in work by the police. Many people who are aggrieved always seek help from the enforcement officers. As a result, they are employees and agencies which have the mandate of protecting the rights of other people as well as protecting state laws. Enforcing law is one of the critical responsibilities of the police. Professionalism fosters respects and builds public confidence. When an officer in the law enforcement acts professionally, it shows compassion, concern and ethical values to the public. The services offered by the police become reliable, and people will always feel safe and assured to get justice. The public also becomes very useful in helping the law enforcers in deterring and detecting crimes. Similarly, the law enforcement department officers should act with discretion. This implies that they should make a decision based on the best interest of the community and the law. When the choice is applied to promote justice, it boosts the integrity of the enforcement units. However, its misuse can cause the loss of trust for the police.
In conclusion, professionalism is a conditional requirement for the law enforcement officers to help them execute their duties. It should be shown in their decision making, judgment, and public relations. As stewards, police should use all the resources at their discretion to help protect and enforce the law. Law enforcement officers are professionals who get trained, educated, and certified to defend the law. Thus, high employment standards, improved education, formal training, and taking an oath are some of the mechanisms that have been used to improve professionalism. Law enforcement practitioners have developed several professional models that guide their practice. Some of the challenges that affected law enforcement such as limited education have been scrapped, and the profession has clear policies and values.
References
Skolnick, J. H. (2011). Justice without trial: Law enforcement in democratic society. Quid pro books.
Tyler, T. R. (2011). Trust and legitimacy: Policing in the USA and Europe. European journal of criminology, 8(4), 254-266.