This week’s theme of the roles, styles, and functions of policing proved to be rich with various topics and subtopics, some of which appear more complicated to me. For example, while the subject of role conflict does not seem to be difficult to comprehend, I find it difficult to imagine such situations and assess my potential response to them. In general, I understand that a role conflict presupposes experiencing stress as a result of the inability to perform two conflicting roles at once. However, I am not sure that I can assess my response to a situation where, for example, my roles as a parent and an officer would conflict. In general, I find the topic rather disturbing, but I realize that I might have to deal with a similar issue in the future, which implies that I should probably research it more extensively and search for the means of resolving it.
A simple topic that I would like to discuss is policing styles. In my view, it is a very interesting subject, which seems to be easy from the point of view of understanding: after all, the majority of attempts at categorizing the behavior of every police officer are bound to be relatively simplistic. However, the topic is engaging, and it is interesting to apply it to myself. I suppose that I have always considered policing to be concerned predominantly with service and helping people and the community; my prior encounters with police officers or some media images may have shaped this idea because friendly and helpful officers seem to be more likely to become role models. This style is also compatible with the community policing approach, which I find very reasonable. I do not think that this style contradicts that of a law enforcer, although I understand the situations, in which the two can experience a conflict; possibly, I could categorize it as a role conflict as well since every officer is expected to both enforce the law and help the community.
In general, I believe that the legalistic style can be more comfortable from the ethical point of view: following the law without concerning oneself with other specifics of the situations must ensure a clear course of action in the majority of cases. As a result, decision-making is likely to be easier and faster, and less effort and emotional resources should be consumed by the consideration of dilemmas. Still, I think that when working with people, it may be difficult to remain focused on the law without taking into account the people, and the introduction of some elements of service style is inevitable. I may be wrong, but I also tend to think that the service style is more rewarding and more motivational since serving the community is more meaningful than serving the law.
With respect to the characteristics and specifics of police work, I suppose that I had known this information prior to studying the topic, which is why it was not difficult for me to understand it, but it was generally satisfying to learn that I perceive the work in a correct way. In particular, I have always realized that the work of a member of police forces is neither easy nor safe, and I think that it is an important thing to realize before attempting to take up the role. In general, I have received much information on a number of topics that make me consider various aspects of policing. I learned some new or extended information about the functions of the police, the theory and evidence related to them, and did some external investigation while planning to research the topic of role conflict to a greater extent. I think that it was a productive and insightful week, and I am looking towards the next one.