Thoughts.com Blogs - Wearing the Badge

View Blog

Wearing the Badge

     “Click, click.” “Whoosh, clang!” These are the sounds that are made when handcuffs are applied on wrists, and when a heavy jail cell gate is closed shut, sounds that will make the hair on your neck stand up when faced with the sobering fact you are being arrested by a police officer, and ultimately placed in a jail cell by a correction officer.
     Similarly, police and correction officers perform stressful jobs that are crucial to law-abiding citizens; and at the same time, lawless and anti-social criminals despise them. One commonality is a piece of metal of varying shape and size. This is a symbol of peace worn by police officers and correction officers on a swelling chest with pride and justice; in other words known as “The Badge.” Police and correction officers can be defined and compared by their different duties and responsibilities that are vital to the orderly running of society, admittedly, people see police in the public; however, the correction officers remain a mystery behind the scenes, and in the shadows.
     America’s fascination with police officers, and simply put, “jail” can be evidenced by the many television shows that have been aired over the years. Officers have been portrayed as gritty big city cops in NYPD Blue to bumbling small town sheriffs in The Andy Griffin Show. In addition, television viewers can get a glimpse into the day in the life of a police officer via the reality show Cops. From another point of view, jails and prisons are often portrayed as dark, dank, and brutal places; whereupon, officers are corrupt, and rape and murder abound. The movie Angel’s with Dirty Faces and HBO’s OZ might be examples, as is this season’s new hit television show: Prison break. In fact, in present day America, jails and prisons might mirror some of those horrific conditions.
     The wail of a siren pierces the night, as the alarm sounds in the jail signaling an escape. The police car races down a city street in hot pursuit of a fleeing felon, while correction officers start an outside perimeter search of the jail. The unknown awaits this officer, because all he has heard over his squad car radio is that an inmate has escaped from jail and has just carjacked an elderly woman. The suspect’s vehicle is stopped and the officer, with his gun drawn, orders the perpetrator out of the vehicle. The officer calls for back up; when the Calvary arrives, our carjacking escapee is arrested and brought to jail, and waiting with open arms at the jail are the correction officers.
     Cases in point, it takes a special kind of person to be a correction officer, and not everyone can embrace it. An escape, riot, or disturbance, can take place at any time; however, it takes a certain moxie to work amongst hardened criminals without any weapon. In addition, most police officers will admit that they feel uncomfortable in a jail setting because they cannot carry their trusty sidearm. CO’s (as they are commonly called) are charged with the care, custody, and control of inmates. Subsequently, when the inmate arrives, they must first be processed. This entails the inmate to have their face photographed, their fingers and hands fingerprinted and a medical screening to be completed. Once this is completed, our newly minted inmate is ready to be housed. Consequently, jail is not for the faint of heart. Individuals will stay in jail until they can post bond, or until they are sentenced; in which case they will be sent up the river to prison.
     Relevantly, cops and CO’s have many similar duties, traits, and tasks. The one duty above all is to protect the public. Thusly, the police arrest the bad guys and bring them to jail, and the correction officers make sure the bad guys stay in jail. Together these law enforcement professionals must possess certain shrewdness; furthermore, they both must make split second decisions to de-escalate potential volatile situations.
For all that, these brave men and woman go to work for their scheduled shift knowing the potential dangers that lie ahead.
     Unlike police officers, a correction officer works in a jail or prison un-armed, but does have hand-held radio capability to alert a problem. Most often their only weapon is a pen, which can be as mighty then a sword; whereupon, if an inmate breaks a rule or commits an infraction a report will be written. The sanctions for violating the rules could be loss of privileges to loss of time, which would require the inmate to be incarcerated longer.
     In conclusion, we see how police and correction officers work hand and hand to ensure our safety. We understand that wearing the badge is an awesome responsibility, and it requires the wearer to possess patience, tact, and understanding. The general public should commend these audacious individuals and shower them with accolades. Thanks to them, that if they were not there to protect us from the criminal element, shades of Wyatt Earp and the O.K. Corral might incarnate.