Changes In Law Enforcement

Decent Essays
In the past year, our country has experienced economic challenges that have translated into major changes in the way law enforcement delivers services. Budget cuts for a significant number of law enforcement agencies have resulted in layoffs, furloughs, hiring freezes, retirement incentives, and operation consolidation or elimination. While agencies are determining how to best manage their shrinking budgets, these changes are impacting officers1 in various ways, such as creating larger patrol areas to cover, decreasing the number of backup officers, and increasing stress due to a myriad of factors experienced in the field. Most importantly, these changes impact officer safety, wellness, and health (Fiedler, 2014). At a time when an agency’s

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