Armed Police

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Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on October 19, 2020 and last updated on July 18, 2023

This compelling topic offers English learners a chance to delve into the role and impact of armed police in society. Engaging in discussions about their duties, controversies and implications enriches vocabulary and fosters critical thinking skills.

By exploring this subject, learners gain cultural insights and learn to express opinions effectively on complex social issues. Embracing this topic empowers learners to confidently discuss law enforcement, public safety and human rights, fostering language improvement and global understanding

Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.

About Armed Police

Although guns are very common in the US, not only among police officers but also among the public, in Europe and other countries around the world armed police are not very common at all.

In fact if you ask Europeans if they would like police officers to carry guns in their country there is a very mixed response usually in favour of police officers not carrying guns. There are arguments on both sides as to why police should or shouldn’t carry guns, but it is often not a clear-cut answer and it often contains many variables.

Useful Vocabulary

Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary

  • carry (verb)
  • beneficial (adjective)
  • society (noun)
  • police (noun)
  • officer (noun)
  • public (noun)
  • in favour (idiom)

Conversation Questions

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  • What is your opinion on the presence of armed police in your country? Do you feel safe with them around?
  • Do police carry guns in your country? If yes, do all police or just a select few?
  • Can a member of the public carry a gun in your country?
  • What are the benefits of police officers carrying guns?
  • What is the downside of police officers carrying guns?
  • What are some duties and responsibilities of armed police officers?
  • Can a member of the public carry a gun in your country?
  • Are there any controversies or concerns related to the use of armed police in your country?
  • What are some ways that armed police can build trust and positive relationships with the community?
  • Do armed police presence make communities feel safer or more threatened?
  • Are there any alternatives to armed police that can still maintain law and order effectively?
  • Should there be stricter background checks and mental health evaluations for individuals wanting to become armed police officers?
  • Overall, do you think it is more beneficial for society if police officers carry guns?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.