COMMUNICATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

• NCJ Number: 48990
• Author(s): M MOORE
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Eric Document Reproduction Service; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SPEECH COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION (GIST, HOUSTON, TEXAS, DECEMBER 27-30, 1975)

Annotation

A COMMUNICATION TRAINING SESSION CONDUCTED FOR A SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS (SWAT) POLICE UNIT IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE GOAL OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM WAS TO PREPARE THE OFFICERS TO TALK WITH ARMED AND BARRICADED SUSPECTS. THE PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED IN RESPONSE TO THE SWAT COMMANDER'S IMPRESSION THAT MOST ARMED AND BARRICADED SUSPECT SITUATIONS COULD BE RESOLVED WITHOUT GUNFIRE IF VERBAL CONTACT COULD BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN OFFICERS AND SUSPECTS. INTERVIEWING SKILLS AND CRISIS INTERVENTION MATERIALS WERE INCORPORATED IN A 3-HOUR TRAINING SESSION DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE SWAT OFFICERS' ABILITY TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN VERBAL CONTACT. THE FINAL HOUR OF THE SESSION WAS SPENT USING QUESTIONING TECHNIQUES IN NONTHREATENING ROLE-PLAY SITUATIONS. THE TRAINING WAS EVALUATED ON THE BASIS OF INFORMAL OBSERVATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH PARTICIPANTS. THE PARTICIPANTS' RESPONSE WAS GENERALLY FAVORABLE. OLDER OFFICERS SEEMED MOST RECEPTIVE TO THE IDEAS PRESENTED IN THE TRAINING SESSION. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING SWAT COMMUNICATION TRAINING INCLUDE EXPANDING THE PROGRAM TO 6 DAYS, USING FILM COVERAGE OF ACTUAL SWAT OPERATIONS, AND INCORPORATING MORE EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITIES. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE SESSIONS DID MORE TO ISOLATE THE COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS OF THE SWAT SQUAD THAN TO ENHANCE THE COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF OFFICERS. COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS UNIQUE TO THE SWAT OPERATION ARE DISCUSSED.