Scenario: You Have Been Hired As A New Police Officer

Scenario You Have Been Hired As A New Police Officer In A Somewhat A

Scenario : You have been hired as a new police officer in a somewhat affluent community. There is very little commercial development, so most of your time will be spent doing community service and preventive patrol duties. You have been assigned to work with a field-training officer (FTO) for the next 8 weeks. On your first day of training, your FTO tells you to forget everything you learned in the police academy because it could “get you killed.” He has been a police officer for almost 9 years and tells you that he has seen it all. He goes on to tell you everything that is wrong with the department and the community in general.

Write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas :

• Which role, function, or style of policing would you see most prevalent in the community you patrol? Why?
• What is the importance of the field-training officer (FTO) concept? Explain. How important do you think the field training officer position is within a police department? Why ?
• What is meant by the term working personality? Explain. How is working personality developed and how does it function in the scenario described above?
• Do you detect a certain degree of cynicism in the remarks made by your FTO? Why or why not? What impact could a field-training officer's cynicism have on one’s ability to perform the duties of a police officer? Explain.

Paper For Above instruction

The prevalent style of policing in the community described is likely to be community-oriented or problem-oriented policing. Given the community’s affluence and low commercial activity, officers might focus more on building positive relationships and engaging in preventive patrols, fostering trust and addressing issues before they escalate. Community-oriented policing emphasizes collaboration with residents to solve problems collectively, which aligns with a community with minimal commercial activity and a focus on community service rather than aggressive enforcement.

The importance of the field-training officer (FTO) concept cannot be overstated. FTOs serve as mentors, guiding new officers through practical experiences that cannot be fully taught in the academy. They help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, ensuring that novices understand departmental policies, legal procedures, and effective policing techniques. The FTO position is vital within a police department because it directly influences the development of competent, confident, and ethical officers. Effective FTOs instill professionalism and critical thinking skills, which are essential for maintaining public trust and officer safety (Bittner, 2018).

The term "working personality" refers to the common traits, attitudes, or behaviors that police officers develop due to the unique demands of their duties. It typically includes cynicism, suspicion, and a sense of alienation, developed as a coping mechanism against dangers, unpredictability, and negative community interactions. In the described scenario, the working personality manifests in the FTO’s cynicism, which may have arisen from years of exposure to departmental issues and community challenges. This personality helps officers detach emotionally from stressors but can also hinder their ability to empathize and build community trust.

The cynicism evident in the FTO’s remarks suggests a deeply ingrained skepticism toward the department and community. Such cynicism may have been cultivated through repeated exposure to negative experiences, bureaucratic frustrations, or community hostility. It can diminish an officer’s motivation, impair judgment, and reduce their effectiveness in community-focused policing—an approach that requires trust and cooperation. Moreover, cynicism can perpetuate a negative outlook, potentially influencing newer officers by creating a cycle of distrust and disengagement (Manning, 2018).

In conclusion, the attitudes and personalities of seasoned officers, like the FTO, significantly influence new officers' development and policing style. While cynicism can serve as a protective mechanism, overreliance on it risks undermining effective community engagement and ethical policing. Therefore, fostering a balanced working personality—one that maintains professionalism while remaining empathetic—is crucial for successful policing in diverse communities.

References

• Bittner, E. (2018). Of getting along: The work of police and community. University of California Press.
• Manning, P. K. (2018). Policing controversies: Critical issues in policing. Sage Publications.