Police Officers versus Civilian Personnel
The alarming increase in the rate of criminal activities has raised great concerns from the public. The police departments have been obligated with the dubious task of reducing the devastating numbers of criminal activities. The police department, therefore, plays a crucial role of safeguarding the lives and properties of the people they serve. Like any operating organization, the police departments also need sufficient financial capital that would enable them run their primary objective of providing security (Great Britain, 2013). Thus, the financial sector is required to develop an effective annual budget that will support smooth operations within the police department.
Thesis Statement
The police department should have its own budgetary plans that would enable it perform all its operations without any financial limitations. I strongly believe that it is better for sworn police officers to prepare budgets and financial reports as opposed to hiring civilians for the job.
Supporting Points
Time-saving
Creation of a comprehensive budget is only possible when the personnel responsible are well-prepared after carrying out an analysis of the financial information. Analysis of the financial information may be time-consuming. However, police officers have an upper hand when creating a financial budget because they are at a better position to understand, gather, sort, and analyze financial information that is required as a prerequisite when creating a budget. On the other hand, hired civilians are likely to take longer in analyzing the financial information of a police department (Great Britain, 2013).
Confidentiality
It is crucial for a police department to protect data and information of not only a suspected criminal but also documents describing the financial activities of a police department. Privacy and confidentiality of information are some of the key policies that govern the professional behaviors of police officers. Sworn police officers are more likely to maintain confidentiality of information in comparison to civilians who have less knowledge on the importance of privacy and confidentiality.
Cost-effective
Training of employees is an important aspect that results to great productivity and improved quality of work. The police department is likely to incur reduced finances on training employees in comparison to hiring newly-trained civilians. Hiring civilians to play the role of financial analysts is a long, costly process. Training of police officers on budget creation is a more cost-effective strategy than hiring of new employees.
Knowledge of Law and Order
Police officers are well-versed with the policies governing the country. Thus, it is prudent to employ sworn-in police officers to create the police department’s financial budget. This is because police officers are guided by the principals, policies, and laws which govern their behavior and conduct when creating financial budgets.
Training
Sworn in police officers are equipped with the right skills and knowledge pertaining to their goals of providing security to all citizens. Police officers are more aware of the daily operations occurring in most departments. It is, therefore, easier to train police officers on how to use the available financial information to develop comprehensive budget plan.
Counteracting my Points
No Cost of Training
Employing new civilians is a merit as they are already well-trained on matters concerning the creation of budgets and financial analysis process. The police department would thereby be alleviated from the increasing financial budget when training police officers who have limited knowledge on financial analysis and budget creation (United Nations Human Settlements Programme, 2007).
Education
There are a vast majority of erudite civilians who have gained education certificates from studying economics or finance. Unlike the police officers, educated civilians are empowered with the right knowledge and skills needed in the creation of effective police department’s financial budget.
Reducing Criminal Activities
Police officers have the responsibility of reducing crime and safeguarding the nation. For a police officer to fully perform his obligation, he/she needs to work under conducive suitable environments. Consequently, police officers are not required to also play the role of financial analysts. Educated civilians thereby need to be hired in order to fully serve the financial aspects of a police department (United Nations Human Settlements Programme, 2007).
Help prevent Work Backlogs
Hiring qualified civilians as financial analysts assists the police officers to reduce work backlogs. This relieves the officers from the pressure arising from serving multiple tasks. The hired civilians would help the police officers to fulfill their mandate of providing security to the local communities and society at large.
Availing Family Time
It is imperative for companies to allow their employees to enjoy some rest and reenergize after a long week of work. Therefore, police officers should only perform their primary obligations of providing security. Hiring of civilians to handle financial matters and budget issues would allow the police officers to rest and enjoy leisure time.
References
United Nations Human Settlements Programme. (2007). Financial management for local government. London: Earthscan..
Great Britain. (2013). Financial management code of practice for the police forces of England and Wales.