Whats more dangerous? Police officer or Correctional officer for jail/prison?

Question

i saw a debate about this somewhere but don't remember. Instead of being a juvenile detention officer, most likely I'm going to be working at a jail that holds all the murderers, rapists, and other bad crimes waiting for trial. . I wanted to be a police officer, but think i might continue my education and work in a prison here in TX. What would you say is more dangerous? This is for my own curiosity, my job choice will not be affected by the answers. thanks

Answer 1

Police Officer is far more dangerous. At least a Corrections Officer knows where and who the criminals are.

Answer 2

I think it's a lot more dangerous working on the street than it is where things are more or less controlled, much more random risk on the street.

Answer 3

Most correctional officers have failed the police exam and get fat.  but still want to help the officers

Answer 4

It would be a factor situation as to Police officer has direct contact with a first run in of sorts with the”bad guy”. To where a correctional officer monitors inmates at a sometimes 20 to 1 ratio (in smaller institutions) the institution I work at is 68 to 1. Police Officer are permitted to carry fire arms to where Correctional Officers in towers and on transport are the only ones permitted to carry a firearm, we are in a sense naked with a radio. A rebuttal for BLCOHEN5: I am not sure where you obtained your information in reference to the hiring requirements for a Federal CO, yet it is wrong. A Fed guard actually must have a minimum of an associate’s degree, good credit and under 36 years old. A State CO must have a high school diploma or equivalency and be a minimum of 21. That is in any state within the nation. County jailers are lion tamers we correctional officers are lion keepers, the police officers normally never see the arrestees after arrest or court appearances to where correctional officers get all the heat if an arrest was excessively pursued, or other scenarios. Law Enforcement is a great field of study, but it does take a certain breed of people not everyone could do any of these jobs. Good luck in your career choice and remember the blue curtain can be your friend or your worst enemy be vigilant, and stay focused, you have no friends other than the ones wearing your color with the brass. Stay cool my brother, and if you decide to go into corrections everyone was new once, just don’t be intimidated, and by no means show fear. Don’t ever, ever, ever report to shift not scared, because when you get comfortable you may not go home that day. The Officers taht respond to riots or disturbances are known as C.E.R.T (Correctional Emergency Response Team) . This position is earned over time with a multitude of trainings.

Answer 5

There are different aspects of each job.  As a police officer, you come into contact with many different personality types that may or may not be guilty of the supposed infraction-which may or may not be severe.  There also may or may not be weapons involved.  This ever changing aura of variables is a factor that many police officers thrive on.  As a corrections officer (which I have been for years), you are in contact with CONVICTED felons--you know they are dangerous, have no respect for laws, ethics, or authority, and a high percentage are violent and volitile.  Not all weapons are crafted- fists, broom handles, and  more are weapons. The types of felons you encounter run the gamut from child molesters to serial killers and thier previous occupations can vary as well.  I have inmates in my cellhouse that were surgeons, circus clowns, lawyers, special forces, politicians, pro wrestlers, boxers, burger flippers, and more!! Being an "OK" corrections officer doesn't take much, if you are just looking for a paycheck until something better comes along, but keep in mind that it is you against them---every one of them has an agenda.  From smuggling in drugs and alcohol or p**n, to helping them escape......if you are not in it for a strong moral belief system and looking to make a career of it, they will smell it a mile away and will be on u like pirahnas!!! Be careful and watch ur back---so many potentially good COs are turned and end up in prison themselves for Introduction of Dangerous Contraband into a Correctional Facility.  

The special team you are talking about is called different things in every facility.  In our facility it is called SST (special security team).  A specialized group of highly trained individuals who specialize in transportation, shaking down (searches), riot reactions, and more.  If the small SST cannot handle it, our SORT (special operations response team) comes in.  These individuals are broken down into several teams including hostage response team, sniper team, and more.

Hope this answered your questions

Answer 6

police officers see the once when they arrest them, correction officers see them everyday till retirement.  

Answer 7

the last i heard it was 2to1. twice as many prison guards killed and injured than cops.

Answer 8

        The answer is determinative through the educational requirments. Most police forces seek individuals with a high school diploma and college.

         Federal Correctional Officers require only an 8th grade education.

        Dangerous situations require individuals with more education and training.  

Answer 9

Dangerous ? In what way?    If they are Tough and disciplined, you would readily accept them to be around and serve the Town. Good Officers are hard to come-by.