Posts Tagged ‘skills’

Mar 1206

All in a Day’s Work: Responding to Naked People

Police work demands much of its officers and presents challenges that are unique to the profession. A recent series of unrelated but similar news reports help illustrate this obvious fact. Just in the past week or so, we’ve seen a distinct uptick in the number of “naked men” stories…  What’s with these people?  Meth, in some cases, apparently.   Take this guy, for instance, arrested after tussling with police outside a convenience store. (Note the decisive action of the officers, one of which is a female.)

In other naked news of late:

  • A man wearing only high heels fled police in Minnesota.
  • Police in Arizona were forced to taze a naked man who was threatening his relatives.
  • In South Carolina, a naked man stole a fire truck, killing a pedestrian.
  • In Pennsylvania a naked man entered a Walmart and stole socks before being apprehended by police.  This one even comes with surveillance video:

 

As ridiculous as these scenarios seem, they are, in fact, real and illustrate the “box of chocolates” nature of police work.  Among their diverse skills and abilities, police officers must possess the presence of mind to act decisively, even in the face of nudity … nudity that is often accompanied with drug addled, belligerent behavior.   So, as you’re evaluating your suitability for a law enforcement career, consider your capacity to handle these people.   Confronting the crazies of American society, even when they come without clothes, is a core element of police work.  Do you have what it takes?

Feb 1227

Inside Police Training: Vehicle Operations

One skill (among many!) that is essential for law enforcement officers is the ability safely operate a motor vehicle. Driving — sounds simple enough, right?  Indeed, but cops must be proficient behind the wheel in a variety of situations.  Safety and presence of mind are key, particularly in times of stress.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 97% of training academies offer instruction in vehicle operations, with a median of 40 hours of instruction.  That’s a lot of drive time!

As a cadet, you will learn how to accelerate, brake, turn, and steer in a number of demanding driving scenarios.  Hours of practice take place in a controlled environment so when you hit the streets, you’re well prepared for everything from directed patrols to high speed pursuits.

Here’s a look inside training with the Edmond, Oklahoma, Police Department:

 

More from the Milwaukee Police Department:

 

Apr 1107

Officer Interpersonal Skills and Responding to Victims

For every crime, there is a victim.  Responding to victims and protecting their rights are core elements of law enforcement.  While this may seem like a no-brainer, victims can easily get overlooked in the quest to “catch the bad guys” and solve the crime.   

For those embarking on a career in policing, it is important to recognize that when they respond to a crime, they will also be responding to a victim.  For this reason (and many others), interpersonal skills are essential to effective policing.  Sensitivity to victims is not isolated to the first responder.  Every law enforcement employee, sworn and non sworn, plays a key role in ensuring a victim’s experience with the police and the criminal justice system is as positive as it can be given the circumstances.  This statement from the IACP’s national strategy for Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims sums it up:

“Dispatchers who take emergency calls, officers who respond to these calls, and detectives who investigate crimes are in a position to positively influence the attitudes of crime victims toward the criminal justice process.  Victims who are treated with sensitivity and respect are more likely to cooperate in the investigation.  Ideally, a victim who is comfortable and therefore cooperative with law enforcement can increase the likelihood that perpetrators are arrested and successfully prosecuted.  Depending on the environments and circumstances, victims who believe they have been treated with empathy and respect by law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals are more likely to cooperate with law enforcement and make efforts to  minimize their potential risk of re-victimization.”

Nonetheless, maintaining a fair and balanced approach to victims can be challenging. Consider victims with developmental disabilities, mental illness, or substance abuse problems, and victims who have had multiple victimizations or those whose victimization is the result of participation in criminal activity.  These cases present law enforcement with complicated circumstances and require a measured response.

Next week, April 11 – 16, 2011, is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW).  Sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime since 1981, NCVRW is an annual observance to promote victims’ rights and honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.  Events like NCVRW and programs like the IACP’s Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims help to highlight victims’ rights and work to ensure that their needs are met – and met fairness, dignity, and respect. 

Check out the Discover Policing YouTube channel for videos related to law enforcement’s response to victims.