Essay Sample on Laredo Police Department

Introduction

I believe that security is a key element in the foundation of any city in the United States of America. In the Maslow's Hierarchy of needs, security is identified as a primary human need after the fulfillment of all psychological needs. In the state of Texas, different cities have the different police department that helps maintain the security and ensure that the lives of individuals and their businesses are secured. The laws in the United States provides for the establishment of local law enforcement in different regions. In the present, the Laredo police department is a unique law enforcement organization in Texas which works towards the realization of a safe community in Laredo through training and recruitment of qualified and hardworking officers.

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The Laredo Police Department started from 1962 when it replaced the City Marshall as the local law enforcement organization in Laredo. Over the years, the police department has had a number of changes that are all directed towards securing the community in Laredo. The mission of the department is to ensure the quality of life in Laredo y incorporating community policing in service delivery ("Laredo Police Department | Texas Commission on Law Enforcement". The force has more than 500 police officers who are hard working and dedicated to their duty. One of the most crucial departments in the Laredo Police Department is the Community Policing Relations Prevention Unit which ensures that the responsibility of crime reduction is shared between the community and the officers ("Laredo Police Department, TX"). They emphasize that the community should be informed, alert and prepared at all time to cobalt crime in the city.

One of the greatest impacts of the current development in information and Technology has been accessing information. This development has made my endeavor to know more about the police department in Laredo a walk in the park. In my research, I found that the department has a website where more about the department is provided; the mission, history, annual reports and how to be recruited is provided. Furthermore, the website highlights the police divisions and the necessary links to know more about the department. In addition, the police department has gone a level higher in ensuring that they use technology to enhance security in the city. They have embraced the use of social media and citizens can report various criminal cases to the force with convenience. They have a Facebook page (Laredo Police Department), a twitter handle (@myloredopd), a YouTube channel (Laredo PD Public Announcements Channel) and Instagram account (laredopd). All these links provided necessary information to me in my study about the department (Laredo Police Department). Also, the different social media accounts make it possible for the community members in Laredo to report any crime and hence community policing has been enhanced.

In order to establish a strong force that offers an effective service to the community, the process of recruitment of the police officers and the retention of officers in the force is vital. I found that the Laredo police department has a clear guideline on how to join the organizations and the qualifications that need to be met. In the Laredo Human Department at www.cityofloredo.com, the strict qualifications are provided. In the recruitment process, the department employs on the basis of qualification without discrimination. Before the recruitment process, a written examination is issued in which a minimum score of 70 per cent is allowed for one to join the force. However, the primary qualification is that one must be a citizen of the United States of America. Further, the department has age qualifications. Those who are between the age 21 and 42 are qualified to join the force (Laredo Police Department). The academic requirement is not as strict as in many other careers; a high school diploma is the primary academic requirement. However, an honorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States also grants entry into the force. Criminal background of the applicant must also be provided, including the driving records as one must possess a driving license before entrance into the force. Once the applicant has successfully passed all the above tests, a physical fitness test follows.

The fitness evaluation is only conducted once one has passed the entrance exam. The physical evaluation evaluates the physical agility of the candidate and makes sure that the officer is fit to disseminate his duties properly. The test is popularly known as the Physical agility test. The physical examination has different requirements for both men and women. Some of the areas tested in the examination are sit-ups, push-ups, a 1.5-mile run, obstacle course, sprint, six feet wall climb and a twelve feet dummy drag (Laredo Police Department). These qualifications are strict and ensure that it's only the physically fit officers who join the force. The agility test puts into consideration all aspects of physical fitness, ranging from muscle strength to athletics ("Laredo Police Department | Texas Commission on Law Enforcement". The test is seen as one of the most intensive and most demanding qualifications before joining the force.

Despite the strict qualifications on fitness, applicants with various criminal backgrounds are not qualified to join the force. The provision stipulates that before joining the civil service, there should be no record of resignation or termination of previous employment resulting from the unlawful behavior. The behaviors are, but not limited, theft, different forms of assault, threats, or breaches of the peace. This makes sure that the personnel recruited are of high integrity and that they are ready to defend the rights of the citizens.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Laredo Police Department is one of the most established law enforcement organizations in the United States. Its long history in the State of Texas has gone a long way in making it effective in the dissemination of its duties. The recruitment process is aimed at making sure that its only the most qualified candidates in terms of academic, moral values and physical fitness join the force. To realize this, a number of tests are conducted, ranging from the entry assessment to the physical agility examination. Over time, the department has achieved retention of the most hardworking officers through a number of incentives such as in-service training. I find the department effective, law-abiding and community friendly. I hold this view based on the fact that community policing is embraced in the police department and most importantly, it is run through a department in the police organization.

Works Cited

"Laredo Police Department | Texas Commission on Law Enforcement." Welcome to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement | Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, www.tcole.texas.gov/content/laredo-police-department. Accessed on 8th November 2018.

"Laredo Police Department, TX." The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP), www.odmp.org/agency/2073-laredo-police-department-texas. Accessed on 8th November 2018.

Laredo Police Department, www.laredopd.com. Accessed on 8th November 2018.