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Communication and Law Enforcement |
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Sergeant Harry Thomas Davis had been on the Hampton, Virginia police force for twenty-five years. He left the force eleven months ago and is now enjoying the retired life. Sgt. Davis has had experience as a patrol officer and a patrol supervisor as well as having honors of Sergeant and detective Sergeant.� At the time of his retirement, he served as senior sergeant of the Hampton Police Department. In 1999, he was also nominated and selected as the Top Cop, an award that is presented to the police officer with the most outstanding performance on the force. |
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Communication is key in every career field. Certain jobs require a higher degree of communication skills than others do. A great deal of communication is needed in law enforcement. When interviewing retired Sgt. H.T Davis, I found that there are many different types of communication skills that are needed as a law enforcement officer. |
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Listening is one of the most important parts of police work. This skill is often used when an officer is dispatched to a call. Quality listening can aid an officer in arriving at the correct location. Upon arrival, the officer must listen to the complaint and respond accordingly. It is always best to repeat whatever is said to be sure you have listened and comprehended carefully.Davis said Officers occasionally make the mistake of not confirming the information stated, which can result in the document becoming invalid. |
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After listening, an officer must also respond. One way of responding is oral communication. The police academy teaches officers that the knowledge of different ways of speaking is of the utmost importance. You must be multi-dimensioned in responding to the public. Davis said this means that you must be able to communicate with any type of individual, therefore, it is important to be able to speak to a person of less education in an entirely different way than speaking to a person of higher schooling. The way an officer would speak to a doctor would not be the way that he or she would speak to a drug dealer. For example, when making a drug buy and acting as an undercover officer, you have to intermingle and play the role.Without proper oral skills, an officer's testimony in court will lack the credibility needed for a conviction. Defense attorneys often cross-examine officers hoping to find flaws in their testimony.�� |
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Writing is a basic skill everyone needs. For a police officer, the primary writing that occurs are basic police reports.� These reports can consist of two to three pages in length. It's critical that the writing is complete, concise, and accurate because there will be many people viewing the officer's grammar. These individuals such as police supervisors, defense lawyers, witnesses, victims, and on occasions the media will be looking for errors and discrepancies in order to present the report as invalid.Inaccurate writing of reports could and have been a police officer's downfall.Many police officers' statements and testimonies have been dismissed from court because of invalid information. |
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Computer usage in police work is an ongoing technology used daily. Officers often use e-mail to communicate with officers on different shifts as well as corresponding with officers in other cities and states. Investigative leads are also sent over the computer unless it is classified information. The NCIC system (National Crime Index Control) is a computerized database that is used continuously to check and update information on wanted persons and stolen property.� All officers are equipped with laptop computers in their vehicles so that they can access this information at any time.� All other important information is stored in the document storage, which is located in the department's police central records section. The Hampton police department has a web site, developed by the Public Relations Department, for viewers to access.� The web site gives the police department access to correspond with the community. Many citizens take part in the web site, and voice their opinion on what is taking place in our community.�� |
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Besides other important qualities, communication is the backbone of law enforcement. A lack of communication in this career can lead to tragedy. Communication is not only important in corresponding with others, but it is also vital to a safe and healthy environment. |
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Works Cited |
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Davis,Thomas. Personal Interview November 6, 2000. |
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