Is policing more dangerous today?

By Mike Simmons

Let’s face it…the job of enforcing the law has always been hazardous. Those who stood for right have always been targets of the criminal population. Daily, these public servants put on uniforms and go out to face unknown threats.

But, is crime-fighting more dangerous today than it has been in the past? I’m not talking only about statistics of officers killed in the line of duty. Many factors go into the physical, mental, emotional social, and spiritual risks officers have always faced.

Of course, we live in an ever-changing world, so to compare “today” with “in the past” is not that easy. If we stay with that comparison, last night is in the past. Also, comparing past policing dangers with dangers today is not apples to apples. Culture has changed, laws have changed, people have changed, and expectations have changed. As a matter of fact, they are changing right now, as I write this. Advances in technology also move the boundary lines. But most police departments in the United States have not been in existence longer than the 1800s, so let’s look at some changes since then…

Culture has changed: In the 1800s, most of our country was rural. Many people handled their own problems, including shooting someone for stealing horses. Most of the country had no law enforcement and, even if it did, the officers could not cover or respond like today. Many times, homeowners would hold lawbreakers in custody until “the law” came and got them, including chaining them up.

Laws have changed: I read once that a policeman in the 1900s was brought up on charges for improperly clubbing a man. The officer explained that the man had a warrant for theft and attempted murder. The charges against the officer were dropped, he was doing his duty. In such a case, it was legal to club a guy for that. I remember when, as a young officer, an armed robbery of a gas station took place in the middle of the day. An old, crusty sergeant arrived on the scene, just as the suspect had run across a busy street and was disappearing among the businesses. As I was arriving, I heard them – gunshots. No, the bad guy wasn’t shooting at the officer. The sergeant, in seeing a felon who was fleeing the scene, opened up on him. Not today.

People have changed: In times past, when a young man (women weren’t allowed) wanted to become a police officer, the idea was that they would spend most of their time walking a beat, talking to business owners, residents, and pedestrians. Today, people desire to become police officers, to help people, yes, but also to wear exterior body armor, drive fast with blue lights, and carry a gun and a badge. They look forward to fighting bad guys. Another change is within the people themselves, whether body piercings to tattoos to hair styles to comfort animals…people have changed. The generation before me was what was known as “The Greatest Generation.” These men and women were tough. Not only the soldiers, but the law enforcement officers as well. Even those in my generation are far different than the officers today. When, in the 1980s, my sergeant yelled and cussed at me, my answer was a contrite “Yes Sir.” I accepted that chewing out as normal. Not today.

Expectations have changed: In the 1800s and the 1900s, when the police encountered someone doing something wrong, they were supposed to stop them and cause them to pay by taking them into custody. Occasionally, officers took it upon themselves to administer justice before the trial. This behavior by the police was not only accepted but was expected. A major problem that officers face every day when simply trying to protect the public is the anti-police mindset. Many people are set on the idea that the police are bad, when nothing could be further from the truth for 95% of officers.

Advances in Technology: This is probably the area that has changed the most. The advent of police cars, radar, body armor, red dots, GPS, radios, and other technology have changed the way policing is conducted, and, for the most part, has improved law enforcement’s chances of survival. However, bad guys now also have access to body armor, communications, fast vehicles, and high-powered weapons.  

Another major change is the amount and quality of training. Today’s officers are better trained and prepared than they have ever been. They are trained on taser use, de-escalation, mental illness, and computer technology.

So, policing, as well as police officers have changed. It is more dangerous? Well, it is certainly potentially more dangerous, but officers are better training, better protected and better armed. In the past, though, they had to confront the dangers with less.

Something else – seemingly upcoming trends. More emphasis is beginning to be put on officer mental illness, crimes against animals, and interacting with the public in non-law enforcement areas. Get this…is the idea of police officers having comfort animals next?

Interesting…