Chapter 15: The Men In-Blue: Members of the Police Force—Workforce Challenges and Policy Implications

The purpose of the chapter is to provide an overview of the law enforcement field, how it has changed over the years, and the nature of police officers’ role and responsibilities in today’s policing and community environments. The author worked his way up from police officer to law enforcement supervisor, trainer, and educator and brings a high level of knowledge and understanding concerning the current status of police work. The standards required for one to be screened, selected, trained, and developed for various law enforcement roles are selective in nature and go beyond what most folks realize. Although law enforcement currently experiences staffing shortages, several steps are required before one secures a position. Police officers face many daily stressors including first responder incidents, natural disasters, mass shootings, protest events, traffic accidents, and problems associated with different populations including juveniles. Other challenges police officers encounter include rigorous physical and mental demands, long hours, criminals possessing an overabundance of firearms and lethal weapons, gang warfare and familiarization with new guidelines around legal, cultural and crisis conditions. These factors can take a toll on the officer’s family life and mental health. Recent controversies concerning excessive policing have prompted many communities around the country to re-evaluate and create more community minded police forces.