Verbal Communication - Police Situations

"Get out of the car with your hands up", is a form of verbal communication. Bright yellow signs with a man holding a video camera that read "You are under 24hr surveillance", hanging on the walls in a correctional facility, is a non-verbal communication. There are verbal and non-verbal forms of communication. Verbal communication is the use of sounds and language to relay a message. The most common form of verbal communication is two people engage in a conversation. Non-verbal communication is a method of transferring a message without the use of words (Hanes, 2010). Common forms of non-verbal communication include body language, hand gestures, and graphical signs. Both verbal and non-verbal communications are effective and depends upon a situation that one is used more than the other. This paper will discuss how verbal and non-verbal communication can affect communication in police situations, courtroom setting, correction facilities, and juvenile facilities.

Police Situations (public announcement to the press)

Unfortunately, many police officers, administrators, and police chiefs view news reporters with distrust. Just as the police have a mission to accomplish, so do the media. The Constitution prohibits laws to be passed by the federal and state governments of any law that abridges the freedom of the press. The media call this the people's right to know (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Police officers have always had an issue with the media because they believe that reporters take stories that involve them and are always inclined to over elevate such stories. This action from the media in return generates many issues and non-communication between the two. It causes major conflicts, especially when law enforce have a desire to keep information confidential.

Within the different positions in the law enforcement, there is a necessity to obtain the trust of the community, especially for those in the position as a police officer. It is imperative for police officers to know and how to use a variety of interpersonal skills so that they can communicate with community relations and working fellow officers. When there are safety concerns for the community, the police department issues a public announcement. There are four components involved with public announcements, newspaper, radio, television and public affairs officer (PAO). There is a shared level of responsibility of informing the public about events that possibly could affect the community. When it comes to notifying the community with a public safety announcement, the public affairs officer is appointed to speak in a manner that is assertive for the police department, as well as make sure that the community is safe. Most public affairs officers who will make a great candidate are top-level administrator with above and beyond communication skills (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). When addressing the public through media, verbal communication is the preferred method.

Courtroom setting (testifying)

In the criminal justice system, courtroom testimony encompasses two main components of communication: verbal, and nonverbal. When testifying on the witness stand, communication occurs under direct examination and cross-examination. Under direct examination prosecutors question witnesses to obtain information that support the charges filed against a defendant, in addition to satisfying two main objectives: ensure the information presented is factual, and convince the courtroom of its witness' integrity. Prosecutors expect their witness to look confident, speak clearly, and answer concisely when questioned. When a testifying witness communicates effectively and looks confident, he or she verbally and nonverbally communicates to the jury, 'the presented testimony is valid'.

Often police officers must appear before the courts to testify about defendants he or she arrested, give expert testimony, or recall details of a crime; they become witnesses. Under cross-examination, the defense team's main objective involves discrediting the witness on the stand. Some police officers are uncomfortable standing or sitting in front of a group and talking (Wallace & Roberson, 2009), this communicates negative nonverbal communication. A witness seen squirming or perspiring on the stand under either direct or cross-examination may generate the perception that he or she is untruthful or unconfident, both take away from witness credibility.

Corrections Facility (employees, peers, inmates)

Correctional facilities house inmates convicted of crimes. Whether in jail or prison, both facilities require constant communication between employees, peers, and inmates. Correction officers require constant verbal and nonverbal communication with fellow employees and inmates to ensure their safety. Various forms of communication in correction facilities involve video monitoring, report writing, and the use of nonlethal weapons. Video monitoring ensures correctional officers remain traceable, and in the event an inmate holds an officer hostage. Video monitors also helps to make sure that inmates are not abused of their rights by employees. Writing a detailed report involves a detailed log of incidents that may have transpired during an officer's shift. Reports include security breaches, disturbances, violation of rules, and other unusual occurrences (United States Department of Labor, 2010). Nonlethal weapons used

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