Becoming a police officer

[griff4075]

Hello

I have quite a few questions about becoming a police officer and my faith.

I have done ALOT of research by browsing through other threads on violence etc on these forums and elsewhere on the web. I know that the Catholic teaching(cathecism) is that legitimate authorities etc are allowed to use force to protect others etc. One of my biggest questions is that how do we know the Cathecism is authority to live by/ is it Biblical?

I know that being a police officer means being an agent for the state, and that carries the possibility of having to take life. I know the Bible says that we are to be subject to the ruling authorities(render unto Caesar) , but does that mean we can be a part of them/work in them? The last thing I would ever want to is have to kill another person, I want to do good helping other people and keeping them safe. How will God judge me if I die with blood on my hands even if it was justified? Most of the early church was pacifist, why did this change?

Is being a policeman something that I should consider as a Christian? It seems like there is alot of inherent violence/self defense in law enforcement, not necessarily killing but just conflict in general- apprehending criminals, minor scuffles/fights, etc. Are we allowed to use self defense as Christians- some have told me yes and others have told me no. the teachings from the sermon on the mount were the most cited. I can’t help but feel that these people/passages telling me no are correct?

I know I am asking quite a few questions here, but thank you to all who respond.

 

[griff4075]

Sorry i didn’t put this is in my first post above.

one thing that someone brought up that REALLY bothered me was this- If you become a policeman and you kill a nonbeliever, what will happen to them? While you might be saved through your faith in Christ, what happens to them? Did you just send them to Hell? How is pointing a gun at someone very Christ-like?

I cant describe how much these questions bothered me.

 

[po18guy]

Fear not! The Lord well knew that lawful authority was needed to maintain a just society. Here are some relevant sections from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2263 The legitimate defense of persons and societies is not an exception to the prohibition against the murder of the innocent that constitutes intentional killing. “The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one’s own life; and the killing of the aggressor. . . . The one is intended, the other is not.”

2264 Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one’s own right to life. Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow:

If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful: whereas if he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful. . . . Nor is it necessary for salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid killing the other man, since one is bound to take more care of one’s own life than of another’s.

2265 Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility.

Here is a link to an online catechism, but a hard copy is best for study, IMO. I medically retired last June with 31 years in - 27 on the street.

 

[po18guy]

Sorry i didn’t put this is in my first post above.

one thing that someone brought up that REALLY bothered me was this- If you become a policeman and you kill a nonbeliever, what will happen to them? While you might be saved through your faith in Christ, what happens to them? Did you just send them to Hell? How is pointing a gun at someone very Christ-like?

I cant describe how much these questions bothered me.

What happens to a non-believer is between that non-believer and God. First, they are responsible for their non-belief before God, and second they are responsible (both on earth and before God) for their criminal actions which caused you to confront them.

 

[benidict]

Well, I can only speak for myself, as a combat Military Police soldier. We also patrol the road in times of peace. Any time I have pointed my machine gun at anyone, with the full intent to use it, I know I am protecting my fellow soldiers. Im not taking a life, so much as saving lives. I have no problem with what I do. I sleep very well. If in garrison, I come across someone beating their wife, I have no problem using the levels of force to stop the attack. If it becomes neccessary to use violence, you have exhausted all other levels of force which start out at verbal. It is up to the perpetrator how far it is going to go. Better them than a partner, or innocent person. Peace

 

[benidict]

Sorry i didn’t put this is in my first post above.

one thing that someone brought up that REALLY bothered me was this- If you become a policeman and you kill a nonbeliever, what will happen to them? While you might be saved through your faith in Christ, what happens to them? Did you just send them to Hell? How is pointing a gun at someone very Christ-like?

I cant describe how much these questions bothered me.

I would suggest you not go into this field. You would hesitate. Fire fighter would probably be better. Or EMT.

 

[Seatuck]

God allows for killing in self defense if necessary.
I think you should contact your local catholic police association and speak to the chaplain.