The policeman

Nothing is more difficult than being a police officer nowadays. The policeman is supposed to solve family disputes, enforce hundreds of laws, identify the suspected criminal when little or no evidence exists. This work requires a variety of skills and abilities.

A policeman should be a guardian of law and order and he has the greatest responsibility in the society. In the United States the policeman is considered to be a public servant. The policeman has a difficult job, because he is to tell people what they cannot be. It is very difficult to perform this function and maintain the image of respect and friendliness. People don’t like this. The image of the police is not good today. It is very important that every police officer recognizes his role in developing the police image. The police officer should be courteous, possess broad knowledge, be truly interested in the welfare of others. Sincere interest will communicate to those people with whom he comes in contact.

Task 27. Find the English equivalents for the following word combinations; memorize them.

1. регулировать семейные ссоры

2. обеспечивать исполнение законов

3. устанавливать личность подозреваемого в совершении преступления

4. требовать разнообразных умений и способностей

5. быть стражем правопорядка

6. формировать репутацию полиции

7. быть вежливым, обходительным

8. обладать широкими знаниями

9. быть искренне заинтересованным в благосостоянии других

10. вступать в контакт

Task 28. Compare the role of a militia officer in this country and the role of a policeman in the American society.

1. An American policeman is supposed to solve family disputes, enforce hundreds of laws, identify the suspected criminal, etc. Does a militia officer have to do the same? What other things does he have to do?

2. In the USA the work of a policeman requires a variety of skills and abilities. What skills and abilities does the work of a militia officer require?

3. A policeman is a guardian of law and order and he has the greatest responsibility in the American society. Does a militia officer have the same responsibility in Russia?

4. It is very difficult for an American policeman to perform his functions and maintain the image of respect and friendliness. Does a Russian militia officer have similar problems in maintaining the image respected by public?

5. In America they believe that a police officer should be courteous, possess broad knowledge, be truly interested in the welfare of others. Do you think that a Russian militia officer should possess the same features? What other features should a militia officer possess to become a professional?

Task 29. Fill the gaps with the words from the box; read and translate the texts.

image agencies maintain public appearance respect effective enforcement

protecting officers careless

1. All police … need a favorable public attitude. Without such an attitude they cannot be as … as they should be. Planning to create and … such a public attitude must be continuous. The first step is planning for police personnel to insure that the … they create in the public eye is a correct one – from correct personal … to correct manner of addressing members of the public.

2. Public understanding of and … for an organization is referred to as its “image”. It is not necessary that any law … organization (or officer) has a lovable public image. It is essential, however, to have an image respected by the … . It is also essential that the public have full awareness¹ of the fact that the law enforcement agency and its … are not engaged in a pleasant game of “catch-me-if-you-can” but are in the business of … life and property against destruction² or loss. And that this includes a killing or maiming³ by a drunk or … vehicle operator, a strangling⁴ by a rapist or a homicide by a robber, or any other offence.

___________

¹to have full awareness of something /q'weqnIs/ - полностью осознавать что-либо

²destruction /dI'strAkSn/ - разрушение, уничтожение

³to maim /meIm/ - калечить, увечить

⁴to strangle /strxNgl/ - задушить

Task 30. Speak on A) The role of militia; B) The image of a militia officer.

Task 31. Look through the text; render its contents in Russian.