Training Proposal - Developing Silver-Tongued Officers (From Psychological Services for Law Enforcement, P 105-109, 1986, J Reese and H A Goldstein, eds. - See NCJ-104098)

• NCJ Number: 104105
• Author(s): R Bradstreet
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/NCJRS; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-104098.

Annotation

This police training proposal consists of training modules for the development of communication skills frequently needed by police officers which are sufficiently behavior-specific to be easily described, observed in demonstrations, and practiced by students in pairs or small groups.

Abstract

Communication skills taught might include how to permit persons to vent anger toward officers without the officer counterattacking, interview techniques, voice control, and how to calm a person. Each module should structure several proficiency levels for the skills taught. Possible proficiency levels are conceptual, which requires students to state the skills' purpose and circumstances in which it could be used; simple assisted performance, which requires students only to perform the skill; unassisted performance, which requires the handling of a routine call using appropriate communication skills; and advanced performance, which requires the use of a skill during an encounter having uncommon characteristics. Each model should use pass/fail competency testing. Training must use a behavioral modeling approach that describes, demonstrates, and practices the skills; provides feedback during practice; increases the skill level after the mastery of lower skill levels; and uses competition among officers to sharpen verbal skills. 9 references.