Do you read the placards that people carry during protests? Try reading as many as you can. You’ll find crazy write-ups and slang you have never imagined.
If the police were the cause of the protest, expect the protesters to call them different diverse names.
The names Americans call the police vary from one city to city. In some cities, they’re called po-po, cops, and even 5-0. In other places, people call the boys in blue (the police) 12.
These slangs have their origins and history. You’ll find out the reason people call the police 12 after reading this post. Let’s dive in.
Why Are Police Called 12?
There are diverse ideas on why the police were given the name 12. But one thing is certain; the name is popular among drug dealers.
The first acclaimed origin of the name is the popular code 10 -12, which police officers use for communication during operations.
When police officers use the numbers 10 – 12, it implies there are people in the area a colleague is heading to. So, it’s an official code for officers on duty, but Atlanta residents saw it from another angle. They started calling police officers 12.
Drug dealers and gangsters were also not left out. They called police 12, a code used to inform other gang members of the presence of officers without getting suspected.
Another place many think the name originated from is the drama Adam 12. The casts that acted as police officers regularly drove their patrol vehicle, 1-Adam-12 across Los Angeles.
So, why are the police named 12? The name is a slang people popularly used back in the day. Gangsters prefer to use it instead of mentioning “police.” They understand that calling the official name will tip off police officers.
Is Becoming A Police A Good Career Decision?
The first thing you should do before choosing a career is to do some research. Learn about the pros and cons of the job.
You can ask those on the job to give honest opinions about their experiences. Let them educate you on the demands and benefits of working as a police officer.
The police do a great job of protecting us. The crime rate in the country would have been overwhelming if not for the police keeping our streets safe.
But let’s face it: policing job isn’t for everyone. Why? It is highly demanding physically, emotionally, and mentally.
The job is rife with numerous circumstantial stressors. Police officers are always in danger. Thus, everything and everyone around them is a suspect.
So, if you don’t mind risking your life daily to keep others safe, you’re welcome to join the police force.
Another thing you need to have in mind is that police officers’ fuse and energy is shortened daily by a lot of things. These include long-shift hours, sleep deprivation, societal isolation, and exposure to terrible human elements.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of joining the police force.
Pros And Cons Of Being A Police Officer
We’ll discuss why and why you shouldn’t consider joining the police force. Remember, no job is entirely terrible. Many police officers are enjoying the challenges that come with their jobs. Some are not even thinking about quitting, while some may be considering it.
It all depends on the individual. For instance, there may be people in careers like engineering, mining, computer science, banking, etc., that are tired of their jobs. We have heard cases of bankers quitting their jobs.
The police job might be an interesting career for you. But then, before you make that move, weigh up the pros and cons.
The pros of joining the police:
The reasons you should consider joining the police officer.
1: The job makes you active:
Police officers are always active. They’re often on the go and driving around the city to ensure it is safe and peaceful.
Police officers have hobbies they pursue. And what makes it more fun for them is that their colleagues can participate in other colleagues’ activities.
Keeping your body and mind physically fit is part of the job. Let’s not forget that free gym membership is among the numerous perks of being a police officer.
You won’t often find police officers looking out of shape. Most of them strive to look fit and healthy.
2: You become well-respected in your community:
If you want people in your community, relatives, and friends to have more respect for you, join the police force.
Your family will be proud of you, and likewise, your friends. They’ll be proud of the noble profession you have chosen for yourself and even brag about you to others.
Officers risk their lives to make society safe. And it takes courage and genuine love for the profession for someone to make a commitment that will warrant them to risk their lives.
Your community and society will respect you when you become a police officer.
3: Job satisfaction:
Every profession has its challenges, but those won’t be a problem for someone determined to pursue the career because they genuinely want it.
The job of a police officer is demanding but satisfying, considering the adventures.
Ask a police officer what he enjoys about the job. You’ll hear many say that no two calls are the same. Additionally, you cannot predict where your dispatcher will assign you to.
The fluctuation in your adrenaline and not knowing what to expect when you arrive at a scene makes the job more interesting. You’ll get to meet and interact with new faces as a police officer every day too.
4: You’ll earn a good salary:
If your reason for joining the police is to earn a decent living, you have made a good choice. Police officers earn a decent salary, though this varies based on the state and your department.
But the thing is, you’ll earn a decent salary as a police officer. In other words, your salary can take proper care of you and your family members.
Cons of Being A Police Officer
Here are reasons to think carefully before pursuing your dream of becoming a police officer.
1: The job is quite risky:
Being a police officer is a risky job. You’ll be exposed to danger anytime you wear the police uniform.
Police officers often respond to distress calls and dangerous situations. Sometimes, the calls come at odd hours of the night. Officers can attempt to save people’s lives, putting theirs on the line.
Police officers respond to dangerous situations, protecting lives and properties. They respond to robbery attacks, accident victims, fire outbreaks, domestic violence, and other situations where the suspect would be with a firearm.
2: A police job can take an emotional toll on a person:
You’ll meet different people daily as a police officer while on duty. You’ll also encounter different crime scenes that can affect your mental health.
Some murder scenes are so cruel that they can affect an officer’s mental state. You’ll start to imagine the trauma the victim went through before being murdered and the kind of human that committed the crime.
Images of these crime scenes remain in an officer’s head for years, even after the job. In some cases, police officers even slip into depression or develop an anxiety disorder.
So, the job can take an emotional toll on you. It can mess up your mind if you’re not mentally prepared or strong.
In some cases, police officers had to quit their marriages when the job took an emotional toll on them.
3: You’ll have to make difficult decisions that may have consequences:
The minute you join the police force, prepare your mind for any eventuality. You’ll have to make decisions some days.
The decisions you make as a police officer is very paramount. Your life or the life of another person may depend on it. We have seen cases where police officers got shot because they made the wrong decision or didn’t act too quickly.
There have also been cases where an individual died because a police officer didn’t make up their mind faster.
4: Police jobs are highly unpredictable:
It’s important to have an understanding spouse as a police officer. Otherwise, you won’t last long on the job, or your relationship may fall apart.
The unpredictability of the job can cause the mental, emotional and physical breakdown of officers. Imagine planning to date with a spouse, only to receive an emergency call a few minutes or hours before the date.
The issue with these emergency calls is that you have to honor them. You have to respond. Otherwise, the police will come for you for disobeying a senior ranking officer’s order.
Conclusion
The topic is why are police called 12? We hope you now understand the reason from the information provided.
The name “12” that people call police officers came up many years ago. However, gangsters and drug dealers popular used the name. They use it to quickly alert their members that the police are around.
We also discussed the pros and cons of joining the police. You can check them out before deciding whether to pursue a career to become a cop.
