Pros and Cons of Hiring Soldiers to Be Police Officers

When looking for new recruits, police departments across the country have increasingly turned towards hiring military veterans to don their uniforms and put their unique skills and experiences towards more public service.

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Here are some pros and cons of hiring soldiers to be police officers:

Pros:
Military veterans are already used to a structured lifestyle and strict adherence to a chain of command.

They have worn uniforms, learned to work together as a team, and worked to serve their country, protect the people, and restore order. They are familiar with weaponry and the exercise of discernment in carrying and using those weapons.

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Policemag.com notes that ex-military candidates are highly sought after by police recruiters because they are looking for men and women with good decision-making capabilities, common sense on and off duty, and a well-developed moral code.

In addition, most military veterans already meet the rigorous physical criteria and have proven their capabilities through their service. Thus, military veterans often top the recruiters’ list for a pool of applicants.

Cons:
Some critics are concerned that it might not be a good idea for the police force to hire so many ex-military men and women as officers because of the possibility of PTSD, as well as other psychological and physical trauma.

“You're going to continue to expose yourself to violence, tension, stress, anxiety,” Army Ranger Jason Deitch told Mercury News. “You come back and become a police officer, the potential for retraumatizing is very high.” 

Another concern that follows with the continued hiring of military veterans is the “militarization” of the police force. This perception of the police, along with racial tensions, has proved to be especially problematic in the wake of the Ferguson and Baltimore riots.

It can be difficult for the police force to maintain a strong image of order, strength, and responsibility with overdoing the image. “We’re not the military,” Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank told Deseret News. “Nor should we look like an invading force coming in.”  

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