Communications in Law Enforcement

Communications in Law EnforcementFrank Pflieger, Charles Kramer, Keishla Del Valle, Kenneth Owens, Tyler LeGrandTeam BCJA/344February 23, 2015Patrick KellyRunning head: COMMUNICATIONS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT 1

COMMUNICATIONS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT 2

Communications in Law EnforcementIntroductionIn the criminal justice system, communication is perhaps the most valuable tool available to law enforcement and other justice personnel. Communication is essential because it facilitates agency directives and numerous procedures relating to both crime prevention and reduction. To completely understand the effect the communication process has on police agencies, this paper will examine its strength, weaknesses, and communication channels. In addition, the power sources of leadership will be examined including its relationship with the communication process.Strengths and WeaknessPublic agencies need to be able to consistency communicate in an effective manner in order to protect and serve the community and assure this, the police agencies have made agreements to manage different communications systems that benefit of all the participating agencies. The communication is very important in this department since the security of the community depends mostly on the force and is often used to prevent any physical confrontation. Effective communication skills give officers the ability to develop rapport with the public, colleagues and offender since these skills could help an officer avoid serious injury or even death. Officers have the ability to communicate in both verbal and non-verbal ways. According to Glennon (2010), Effective communication skills will also enable a law enforcement officer or professional to interact successfully in both work and community environment which may include diverse cultures, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Officers that train and enforce their communication skills might have better opportunities in growing within the agency and be more successful upon their carrier. Failure to communicate properly can have many consequences and interfere with their mission, which is to serve and assure safety. The use of complex technical terms is the general cause of these lacks of communication (Glennon, 2010). The solution is to be as clear as possible in a professional manner by adjusting to the audience since the lack of communication can also bring issues towards inventory supply and the agencies capabilities.Channels of CommunicationThe communication process within police agencies happens through informal channels or they will flow through formal channels. Informal methods will increase the amount of communication that happens but will decrease the amount of consistently, whereas a formal method will allow for more consistently but the level of communication will decrease, as formal communications are often one sided (Criminal Justice Law, n.d.). Informal methods of communication helps to offer clarity as there is more equal communication on both sides and directions, orders, policies etc. can be properly understood and followed. The informal methods can be advantageous to police due to more information can be gained, however most informal methods of information gathering cannot be used in legal proceedings. Much of an agencys informal communication is word of mouth and/or gossip, which is considered grapevine communication in most agencies and can be a negative thing for agencies and will lessen the agencies effectiveness and success (Ray, 2012).Formal methods of communication within police agencies clarify the agencys command structure and the authority lines within that chain of command. The need to be consistent and structured is vital in the criminal justice field and formal modes of communicating help to maintain that requirement. Formal methods of communication within a police agency are normally written or typed and can consist of police agency policies, orders that flow downward through the chain of command, inter-office memos and/or directions from superiors. These types of communicative are generally one way and only offer the receiver one side of the issue at hand and often the process for these types of communications are lengthy and facts can change before they are approved and final. Formal communications have their set-backs, however they are a necessity I order to pursue legal actions (Ray, 2012).Power Sources of LeadershipDifferent sources of power will come from different people in the Police Agency. The future of police departments revolves around a solitary heroic figure. As a lower ranked officer, they look for someone to lead them. With different styles of leadership coming from different officers, having a strict style of teaching higher ranked officers is key. The style and practice of police leadership is gradually evolving. Police departments are exactly what department means, different departments means different leaders. The big the departments will have more than enough of leaders due to different teams, groups, and of course departments. The future is always bright when it comes to the police department leadership (Weustewald, 2011). Officers are constantly being promoted and put into a leadership role. Starting with ranked officers they teach these younger officers to learn how to adapt to leading a team as that leader they look for. Three different levels are shared between this police agency; suggestion involvement, job involvement and High involvement. Suggestion involvement is different officers giving tips, opportunities, and information to help with teaching. Job involvement is day-to-day experience. This trains an officer more hands on than the other levels. High involvement is the most advanced level and it teaches both suggestion and job involvement. It throws the officer to wolves and can see how he or she can handle himself or herself. We need these officers to learn because it is our safety for the community.Power Sources & Communication Process Majority of police departments in the early years relied on a military, coercive style of leadership. Leadership can now be viewed as a team atmosphere as many police department leaders lead by example and show face within communities. Several decisions within Police departments are key decisions and which effects everyone involved. Key decisions should be brought to the table and discussed with an agreement being made. Leaders should also ask for key input from other within the department before making any decision regarding them. Communication is critical to law enforcement as well defined, accurate and reliable communication processes factor in the proficiency of law enforcement and other community safety officers to counter emergency situations in a sensible, safe, and operative fashion. The advantage of successful communication between leadership officials and police officers is critical to saving lives and improving community safety. Even as police departments adopt new stream line technology within communication, all communication processes must be upheld in order to keep all parties on the same page. The relationship between leadership officials and officers is very important to the growth and familiarity of system. For leadership officials, some of the most important communications and conversations dont require advance technologies, but day to day communication within communities, courts and surrounding agencies (Estey, 2005).ConclusionIn conclusion, the communication process is instrumental in the operational effectiveness of not only the police, but all criminal justice agencies. The process of communication built on both formal and informal channels assists law enforcement personnel in conveying important messages upwards and downwards between the leadership power sources found in a departments hierarchy. The communication process not only facilitates a departments ability to send directives and receive orders, but it helps overcome the language, culture, and personality barriers that reduce team work and productivity in law enforcement.

ReferencesCriminal Justice Law. (n.d.). Communication Frustration Retrieved from http://criminaljusticelaw.us/philosophy/principles/leadership/communication-frustration/Estey, J. (2005). President's Message: Communication Is Critical to Law Enforcement. Retrieved from http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=561&issue_id=42005Glennon, J.(2010).Retrieved from http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/2008039-Communication-skills-and-your-survival/Ray, L. (2012). Formal and Informal Channels of Communication in the Criminal Justice Field. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_8462470_formal-communication-criminal-justice-field.htmlWeustewald, T. (2011). Police Chief Mag. Retrieved from http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=859&issue_id=42006