POLICE COMMUNICATION INSTRUCTION - PEDAGOGICAL STRATEGIES

• NCJ Number: 49099
• Journal: SPEECH TEACHER Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 165-168
• Author(s): R CHEATHAM; K V ERICKSON
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING POLICE INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS ARE PRESENTED.

Abstract

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING FOR POLICE OFFICERS MEET THEIR COMMUNICATIONS NEEDS. HAVING POLICE ASSESS THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS COMMUNICATIONS ENCOUNTERS AND ASKING THEM TO IDENTIFY PARTICULAR TYPES OF SITUATIONS WHICH THEY FIND MOST DIFFICULT, POSSIBLY BY KEEPING A COMMUNICATION DIARY, CAN HELP THE INSTRUCTOR DETERMINE COURSE RELEVANCE. A NUMBER OF SIMULATION EXERCISES AND GAMES, AND ROLE-PLAYING CAN HELP SENSITIZE OFFICERS TO THE EXIGENCIES OF CONFLICT, STRESS, AND COMMUNICATION IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC. SINCE MOST POLICE ENCOUNTERS ARE ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS, INTERVIEWING SKILL IS A REQUISITE. SIX FORMS OF INTERVIEWING ARE PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE: INFORMATION GIVING, INFORMATION SEEKING, COUNSELING, GRIEVANCE, REPRIMAND, AND APPRAISAL. LIFE-LIKE INTERVIEWS CAN BE SIMULATED WITH SOME OFFICERS TAKING THE PART OF THE INTERVIEWEES WHILE OTHERS PLAY THE PART OF THE INTERVIEWERS. POLICE TESTIMONY IN COURT IS A COMMUNICATION ENCOUNTER OF GREAT IMPORTANCE AND RELATIVE FREQUENCY. MOCK TRIALS CAN TEACH SKILLS IN INFORMATION GIVING AND PROFESSIONAL DEMEANOR. OFFICERS ARE ALSO FREQUENTLY REQUIRED TO TAKE PART IN SMALL GROUP PARTICIPATION AND CONSENSUS REACHING PROCESSES BOTH WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS. CONSEQUENTLY, EXERCISES WHICH RELATE TO PARTICIPATION, LEADERSHIP, STATUS AND POWER, CONSENSUS REACHING, AND GROUP PRODUCT QUALITY ARE ESSENTIAL. PRESENTATIONAL SPEAKING IS OCCASIONALLY REQUIRED BY OFFICERS WITH SCHOOL LIAISON OR OTHER SPECIALIZED DUTIES. CONSIDERATION SHOULD THEREFORE BE GIVEN TO WHETHER PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING WILL BE OF BENEFIT TO OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THE COURSE. COMMUNICATION SKILLS TRAINING SHOULD AID OFFICERS IN UNDERSTANDING HOW COMMUNICATION AFFECTS THEIR PUBLIC ENCOUNTERS. NOTES ARE PROVIDED. (JAP)