1. Interpersonal Communications
Law Enforcement II

2. Objectives The student will be able to:
Use communication skills to evaluate body language, gestures, verbal tone, and inflection.
Use interpersonal communication skills.
Use writing skills to facilitate effective field note taking and report writing, such as police incident reports.
Objectives

3. Goals of Communication
Increased officer safety
Enhanced professionalism
Fewer complaints
Less vicarious liability
Less personal stress
“Communication is the process of people sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings with each other in commonly understandable ways.”
- Cheryl Hamilton
Goals of Communication

4. Harmonizing Role and Voice
The following elements of a communicator change the behavior of the listener:
Message content 7-10%
Voice 33-40%
Body language 50-60%
Communication is both intentional and unintentional.
People believe the voice rather than the role.
Harmonizing Role and Voice

5. 93% of your success in communication depends on the delivery system used.
Tone is extremely important
Tone = Attitude
Delivery System

6. Encoding – the process of putting a message into the form in which it is to be communicated.
Decoding – the process the receiver goes through while trying to interpret the exact meaning of a message.
Encoding and Decoding

7. Frame of Reference Sender and receiver’s background and experiences
Education
Race
Sex
Personality
Culture
Frame of Reference

8. Codes Code – a symbol that carries the message Three types of code:
Language (verbal)
Paralanguage (vocal)
Nonverbal (visual)
Codes

9. Codes (continued) Language Paralanguage Nonverbal
Written or spoken words
Communicates thoughts and feelings
Paralanguage
Tone of voice
Pitch
Rate
Volume
Emphasis
Nonverbal
Intentional
Unintentional
Facial expressions
Eye contact
Gestures
Appearance
Posture
Size
Codes (continued)

10. Kinetic Communication
65% body language
7% verbal content
12% voice quality
16% misc symptoms
Verbal kinetic signals are easier to control than non-verbal
Kinetic Communication

11. Channel of Message Determining the most appropriate channel:
Importance of the message
Needs and abilities of the receiver
The amount and speed of feedback
The necessity of a permanent record
Cost of the channel
The level of formality or informality desired
Channel of Message

12. Feedback Feedback – verbal and visual responses to a message
Improves the accuracy and productivity of individuals and groups
Increases employee satisfaction with the job
Less role conflict
Lower stress
Less absenteeism
Lower turnover
Feedback

13. Communication Barriers
Noise – anything that interferes with communication by distorting or blocking out the message
Environment – the time, place, and physical and social surroundings
Climate – organizations, and social and work environment
Communication Barriers

14. Facial Expressions Comprises most nonverbal communication
Often difficult to interpret
The eyes have the most expressive and profound impact on communication.
Shows interest and attentiveness
Signals wish to participate or be left alone
Controls the flow of communication
Facial Expressions

15. Body Movements/Gestures
Emblems –carry an exact verbal meaning
Illustrators –add to or clarify verbal meaning
Regulators – control the flow of a conversation
Adapters – habitual movements we use in times of stress
Body Movements/Gestures

16. Listening Physical Barriers Semantic Barriers (word meaning)
Personal Barriers
Gender Barriers
Listening

17. Five Stages of Listening
Sense – hear what is important to the speaker
Interpret – assign meaning to what is seen, heard, and felt
Evaluate – determine the speaker’s credibility and message’s importance
Respond – react to the speech, usually through nonverbal cues
Remember – retain parts of the message in memory
Five Stages of Listening

18. Brief notations concerning specific events and circumstances that are recorded while still fresh in the officer’s mind; they are used to prepare a report.
Uses
Report Writing
Courtroom
Field Notes

19. Information Noted People’s descriptions, from head to toe
Other Property
Date and time
Exact location
Other important info
Information Noted

20. Information Noted (continued)
Vehicles:
C– color (top-to-bottom)
Y– year model
M– make (manufacturer)
B– body style (2dr, 4dr)
A– and
L– license plate
S– state (license plate)
Any other distinguishing marks, damage, stickers, etc.
Information Noted (continued)

21. Persons involved should be identified by roles: suspect, victim, etc.
Correct spellings
Complete name, home address and phone number, and work address and phone number
Any aliases used
Sex and race
Occupation, if employed
Student/school
Who?

22. What? The type of offense committed The type of property involved
The means of transportation used, if any
Statements made
Speech impediments
Unusual words or phrases
What?

23. Where and When? Exact time and location the offense occurred
Reference points, maps used
Type of victims, witnesses, and suspects in relation to crime
Where and When?

24. Why? and How? Why Motive or cause Revenge Monetary gain Drug addiction
Accidental
How
Event occurred
Property obtained
Suspect approached
Suspect gained access/entry
Exited/left the scene
Why? and How?

25. Two Systems of Note-Taking
Permanent – must contain all pertinent information because it is subject to review by court
Temporary – should be thorough and organized even though they will be discarded after the report is written
Two Systems of Note-Taking

26. Advantages of Field Notes
Provides recall at a later time and date
Advantages of field note-taking
Officer separates facts
Not relying on memory
Helps prepare for court
Advantages of Field Notes

27. Rules for Complete Note-Taking
Record only important information
Alternate between listening and writing
Ask questions then review notes
Rules for Complete Note-Taking

28. Characteristics of a Good Report
Accurate
Concise and explicit
Complete
Clear
Legible
Objective
Grammatically correct
Correct spelling
Characteristics of a Good Report

29. Organizing the Report Gather information Analyze the facts
Organize the information
Chronologically
Categorically
Both
Organizing the Report

30. Elements of a Report Verify that the offense or incident occurred
Identify leads and solvability factors
Communicate the circumstances of the crime or incident
Identify the investigative tasks completed and those to be completed
Don’t forget to ask if the victim wants to prosecute!
Elements of a Report

31. Types of Reports Incident Report or Offense Report
Miscellaneous Incident Report (non- criminal or minor offenses)
Arrest Report
Supplemental Report
Field Interview Card (developing intelligence)
Types of Reports

32. Resources Arlington Police Academy training/TCLEOSE standards
Hamilton, Cheryl. Communicating for Results. Wadsworth, Thomson Learning. U.S., 2001
Resources