These days, a job in law enforcement entails a lot more than the "cops and robbers" stereotype that's portrayed in numerous television series or Hollywood movies. These highly trained professional men and women have to be part social worker, part firearms expert, part scientist, part communications expert, part stunt driver, part lawyer and maybe even part accountant or therapist depending on the agency.
Their responsibilities mirror the complex society of today. So do the requirements to be a police officer. One of those is successfully completing the 20-week Peace Officer and Standards Training program.
Another is 40 hours of annual training to maintain that certification. Individual departments also require additional hours of specialized training, such as handling domestic violence situations or fingerprinting techniques. Plus, changing laws mandate looking at situations differently than in years past.
National Law Enforcement Week, celebrated earlier this month, gave officers and the public the opportunity to examine law enforcement's multifaceted responsibilities. The public probably takes this important profession too much for granted. Law enforcement personnel provide a vital service for all of Utah's residents.
Many of the tasks they perform are thankless ones, particularly when it comes to dealing with society's criminal elements. Police officers may put their lives on the line in carrying out their duties. They do it because it's their job and because they feel a sense of responsibility.
And it's a job worthy of respect and admiration from both the public that law enforcement officers serve and the government entity that employs them.
Utah's cities, counties and state government need to make favorable work conditions for law enforcement personnel a top priority. That means appropriate pay and benefits. Failure to do that results in failure to reap the benefits of the thousands of dollars invested in training to produce high-quality law enforcement officers.
A well-cared-for police force will result in a well-cared-for community.