Archive for the 'Society, Laws & Issues' Category

In-car cameras

There is some police show on television each day that reminds us of the fact that a camera is watching our every move. They are very common to all of us now but, really did not surface until the later part of the 1990’s as a result of the need for more definitive ways to reduce racial tensions and to prevent lawsuits from being filed. The Community Oriented Policing Services of the Department of Justice in the United States was the first to jump in and offer help to the police agencies that needed funding for the camera installations. The created an incentive program for the In-car cameras which gave monetary aid to any state or highway patrol to ensure they could purchase the cameras they needed. In 2000, the first monetary funds were given. Three years later, forty seven states had been granted over twenty-one million in funds for the camera program. Before the program started, only eleven percent of there law enforcement agencies had a camera in their vehicles. Because of the program, that number has risen to seventy-two percent and is still going up.

Personal protection for emergency technicians

The use of personal protective gear is not only mandatory in some departments but is necessary of the safety of the individual EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). The personal protective equipment gives the EMT a barrier between them and the infections and injuries that can occur. Certain types of personal protective gear can give you a layer of protection against some very nasty chemicals. Each Emergency Medical Technician has been thoroughly trained in the use of universal precautions and how to use their personal protection gear properly.

Listed below are a few of those items that are so essential:

German shepherd dog

We have all seen them in movies, some have even experienced their work up close and personal, and some have wondered — what are these dogs actually used for? Are they in fact going to be the ‘next generation’ of police officers? While their expertise is definitely welcome in the law enforcement world today, I doubt they will replace humans, but there are many police officers that prefer working with K-9’s and rank them as the highest on loyalty and trustworthiness.

The training of K-9’s is a meticulous and often strenuous process. There is quite a lot of education that goes into their training, as well as training the handler of the K-9. It all begins with the selection process of each and every dog that is hand picked for training as a police tracking dog.  Not all dogs chosen will actually succeed, but the high majority of them do. It takes a special dog, quick witted, healthy, and mentally efficient, to graduate from any course as an official K-9 police tracking dog. Currently, the most popular breed of dog chosen as K-9’s are firstly, the German Shepherd, then following close behind is the Belgian Malinois, and for passive police work, Labrador Retrievers are commonly used.

Decline in police officers and emergency workers

I am certain you, along with many others have often wondered at one time or another, exactly where the police officers and emergency workers are after you have called them. Sometimes it takes, literally, hours for them to respond, which results in tempers flaring, and an altogether unwelcome attitude when they finally arrive at the scene of whatever situation is at hand.  Believe it or not, with the exception of an odd case or two, they really were not at the donut shop, nor were they sitting parked a couple of miles away, listening to your frantic calls and laughing. These brave men and women are, in short, understaffed.

Police protection

The situation in which a Miranda warning is necessary is in times of arrest or when the suspect is in custodial situations. This means that the suspect does not have a free right to leave if they so choose too but they are not yet under arrest for anything. Miranda Rights are standard before any questioning is done of a suspect about the crime. If anything is said by the suspect to admit guilt in a crime and no Miranda Rights were given and the suspect waived those rights in a voluntary way, the confession or comment is usually not admissible or usable in court. Questions about your address, birth date, and name can be asked without a Miranda Warning being given.

Emergency Medical Technicians

An Emergency Medical Technician also known as an EMT is defined as a responder trained in emergency situations and who can give you the emergency care you need when you are severely ill or have been injured. In the past, the Emergency Medical Technician was thought of as a simple ambulance attendant and nothing more. In today’s world the Emergency Medical Technician has evolved into a more important and supportive position. They are now able to do more than they previously could and are being exposed to many things that were not known about before.

Emergency Medical Technicians

Most people know what EMTs are, but there are some that are not aware that an EMT is an Emergency Medical Technician, and they have no real understanding of what is required of them, or what EMTs do. They are, in a sense, the first response teams that aid victims during a crisis. More often than not, they are required to assist a patient directly at the scene of the crisis, as well as in an ambulance or other moving vehicle, on the way to the hospital. These emergency workers are most usually on-call during the course of their shifts, which can differ from several 24 hour shifts followed by a couple of days off, to a daily shift often lasting from 12 to 15 hours.

Emergency Medical Technicians

If you are looking for a fast paced medical job that requires hands on practice of your medical and first aid skills, you may want to consider becoming an EMT which is an Emergency Medical Technician. These people have many different fields they are able to assist in, and there are different levels of skills and certification available. The qualifications vary for each level of EMT, and from state to state.

The first qualification is that all applicants must be at least 18 years old, and possess a valid driver’s license for the state they are applying in. It is not mandatory, but it would benefit those in high school to attend driver education, science courses and health courses. These will aid them in the future in regards to completing courses for EMT classifications. Being stable emotionally and mentally is of course required, as well as excellent dexterity with good physical abilities.  You need to have the ability to handle heavy loads, both lifting and carrying, as well as excellent eyesight. Corrective lenses are accepted, but they may not impede your performance.

Emergency Medical Technicians

There is no doubt that when trouble arises, no matter what the situation is, there is always going to be some agencies at the ready to help you. This means that the fire department, Emergency Services, and the law enforcement agencies will come when you call. Now consider the agencies itself. When they need help, who is it that comes to their rescue? There is no denying that the ones who are selfless in coming to your aid may some day find a situation that is too dangerous or turn into life threatening situations causing real harm. The death rate of these individuals in the police and fire services alone is enough to make you stop and take another look at this question. There is also the risk that health and well being of the individual that could prove to be a problem later on down the road.

Police Officer Job

For those of you who are considering a career in law enforcement, it will benefit you to be clear on the job requirements and the official job description if you are applying for a job as a police officer. The average person has no idea what entails being a police officer and very few people understand what is expected of them. This article is written with those of you in mind that is considering a position on your local police force. Keep in mind, this is merely a general description, some towns/cities/states vary widely from others. To completely understand what is required for this job, you will need to procure a job description information packet from your intended employer.