Running head: COMMUNICATIONS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

Communications in Law Enforcement

Frank Pflieger, Charles Kramer, Keishla Del Valle, Kenneth Owens, Tyler LeGrand
Team B
CJA/344
February 23, 2015
Patrick Kelly

COMMUNICATIONS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

Communications in Law Enforcement

Introduction
In 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 Weakness
Public 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.

COMMUNICATIONS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

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 Communication
The 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).

COMMUNICATIONS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

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 Leadership
Different 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

COMMUNICATIONS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

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

COMMUNICATIONS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

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).
Conclusion
In 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.

COMMUNICATIONS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

References
Criminal Justice Law. (n.d.). Communication Frustration Retrieved from
http://criminaljusticelaw.us/philosophy/principles/leadership/communicationfrustration/
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=42005
Glennon, J. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.policeone.com/patrolissues/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_formalcommunication-criminal-justice-field.html
Weustewald, T. (2011). Police Chief Mag. Retrieved from
http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?
fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=859&issue_id=42006