Prompt #1: Asking Questions and Breaking Assumptions about Criminal Justice

       In every field of work, there are stereotypes and assumptions made by the masses that distort the image of that group. After all, it is said that stereotypes are born because of some truth to them. However, these assumptions can tarnish the reputation of a certain field or profession. Criminal Justice and specifically law enforcement are not exception and are subject to countless assumptions and stereotypes. Here are some of them:

       People get into criminal justice just so they can run around with a gun.
       While a portion of criminal justice professions require a firearm, there are plenty of jobs where guns or any sort of weapons are not present. Lawyers, probation officers, data specialists, some security, and many other professions do not carry weapons of any sort. And those who do carry guns most likely do not even discharge their weapon during duty. It is there for the protection of themselves and other citizens who may be in harm's way.

       All cops are fat, white men who eat donuts all day.

Image credit: Quora.com

       Well, this statement is partially warranted. While a good majority of police officers are in fact white and male, there is a rapidly growing population of minority and female officers. Ideally, there is  a police force that is accurately proportional to the general population in regard to gender and ethnicity. However it has been getting better over the past fifteen to twenty years. What is an almost completely false assumption is the health of police officers. There is a standard for fitness and health to become a police officer; and once someone becomes a police officer they have to stay in shape because they have to be expected to be competent in hand to hand combat and long distance running for chasing after criminals.

       People in law enforcement want their jobs because they enjoy arresting people and having power over them.
       This assumption has been made countless times, mostly by people who have been either pulled over or arrested. However this couldn't be further from the truth. To be honest, law enforcement is not a very appealing job. It has low pay, long hours, and can be very dangerous. People who are in law enforcement are dedicated to making a positive impact on their community and to build relationships with the citizens to help keep the community safe. They go into law enforcement to make the their home a better place.

References:

     Cole, George F., Christopher E. Smith, and Christina DeJong. Criminal Justice in America. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2016. Print.