IELTS Essay: There is an increase in violence in society because police officers carry guns. Do you agree or disagree
The following essay question was asked on an IELTS test recently held in Australia. You can spend 40 minutes on this task. You have to write at least 250 words.
There is an increase in violence in society because police officers carry guns. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your personal experience.
Model Answer
Police officers carry guns and that is part of their job. They are entrusted with the job of enforcing law and order in the society. When criminals carry guns, can we expect our police force to carry out their duty without the help of guns?
Police officers do inspire the society. Children, especially, have a fascination for the police uniform and the gun. Does this cause an increase in violence in the society? Well, that is debatable.
Because police officers carry guns and use them as and when necessary, it might give the impression that carrying gun is fashionable. It might also give the impression that guns are necessary for the maintenance of peace. In that case, it can be said that gun-toting police officers inspire violence.
Now let’s take a look at the other side of the argument. The duty of a police officer is to enforce law and order in the society. During the execution of their job, they face a lot of challenges. They have to deal with people of different kinds. How can we expect an unarmed police officer to effectively deal with a situation that might itself be violent? The gun, though it may be a sign of violence, is a necessity in situations like these. It also provides some security to the lives of our police force. When criminals are armed, police officers too need to be armed. That is essential for the effective execution of their job.
Looking at both sides of the argument, it is safe to assume that the gun is a necessary evil which the police force can’t do away with. What we need to do to reduce the incidences of violence is to create awareness about their ill-effects.
