This paper will examine the position of law enforcement managers. Its duties and requirements will be portrayed. The role of effective communication and law enforcement managers are outlined. Lastly, the significance of productive intercommunication for a law enforcement manager is communicated.
In our present era, it seems as if crime and unlawful behavior is on the rise. Day after day we hear about these perpetrators, and as time progresses it seems as if the wrongdoings are becoming increasingly severe. It leaves the American populous in a constant state of fear and apprehension. Although the amount of security and police force have not dwindled, individuals do not seem to be perturbed by the consequences or defamation to their name.
Now one could argue that the economic status of our country is in turmoil and it seems like many do not have any other way to support themselves. This is truth to some degree, yet the bottom line is that crime will always be a part of life. Thus, it is exceedingly significant to focus on diminishing the problem, rather than looking to eliminating it completely. The only way that this can become a reality is through quality leadership and management. Now many believe the role of a police chief is simple. “To protect and serve. These four words – the motto for law enforcement professionals at every level.” (Lansdowne, 2007, p. 1).
However, the task that is given to police chiefs or law enforcement managers has a vast quantity of necessary skills. These civil servants, in many ways are the CEO of a company. “If you’re seeking a career as a Law Enforcement Manager, you should be able to work under physically and emotionally stressful conditions, have good communication and interpersonal skills, feel comfortable exercising authority over subordinates and be familiar with computers and basic office software. (Education Portal).
They have to delegate and problem solve, usually at a rapid pace. The issue is that with companies, there is the possibility of profit loss or gain, while with police chiefs they have much more at stake. On a daily basis these managers have to tend to issues and procure solutions to the most dire of circumstances. Furthermore, they have to ration their manpower, funds, and various other elements to make sure that they are tackling the top priority problems that have the capacity to put the communities they protect in danger. Therefore, there is one quality that every police chief must perfect and have abundant skill in, communication.
Now the communication method within the confines of a police station is a very diverse and detailed process. Not only does there need to be clear intercommunication, planning, strategic evaluation, and many other pertinent details, but there has to be execution in expedition. The actual role of the police chief is broad, but there are a few very significant areas in which the law enforcement manager’s ability to communicate is paramount.
Firstly, it is the duty of the police chief to understand, evaluate, and present the requirements of the community around them. “In order to develop and enhance community-police partnerships, it is very important for the police department to have a clear understanding of what the community’s needs are.” (Spalding, 2010, p. 1). Once these issues are realized, the police chief must ration the various aspects of the police force to meet these demands. This in itself has various essentials tied to it. Police chiefs have to first prioritize the list of need. Some will think differently than the law enforcement manager and although it is important to be able to command the officers it is equally as significant to listen to various opinions and ideas. Once a plan of strategic action is completed, the police chief has to decide how to effectively utilize all tools at his disposal to fulfill the needs in a quick manner.
Moreover, the police chief has to galvanize his officers. The candidate has to be one that they can look to in a time of crisis and receive an effective response. Thus, the law enforcement manager job, in many ways requires acute leadership abilities and qualities. This is where the real role of a police chief is, especially in terms of communication. By having the talent to inspire and motivate the police force, while at the same time being a figure of reassurance, a police chief can find oneself with heaping amounts of success.
There are other requirements in the communication process for a police chief, other than those aforementioned. The police chief position, although sworn to serve and protect is also an extremely influential individual in communities. As a result, the law enforcement manager must have productive communication skills when dealing with various other arenas of the public. For example, construction, more specifically road maintenance and police constantly intercommunicate. The police chief must have a relationship with the head of the construction of the community, so that when various projects occur, there is law enforcement backup to aid in tasks.
The police chief also has to deal with the medical divisions of the area that they live in. Ambulance drivers need to know when to arrive to certain locations and therefore a police chief has to have adequate connection to the nearby hospitals. Law enforcements officials in return will protect ambulance drivers and other medical staff when venturing into possibly harmful situations. Therefore, the assorted communication roles that the police chief has to perform adequately are abundant and broad.
As aforesaid the miscellaneous communication roles in which a law enforcement manager retains are profuse. But what is their relevance? It is astounding to comprehend the tasks of a police chief and the importance of their communication skills. By retaining effective communication skills a law enforcement manager can be sure that his officers will behave according to how they were delegated to. This is the most paramount issue, because when individuals are faced with dire and heated scenarios they tend to go against what they have learned. They react instead of thinking, often having emotions play into their decision. Additionally, the police chief relies on productive communication to deal with the other departments in the community.
This is very valuable because these divisions usually play large roles in critical scenarios, making them quite an asset. On a smaller scope, the law enforcement manager must also interact and adequately utilize all staff personnel in the station, such as dispatchers and office workers. Although some may see this as routine and inconsequential, these individual’s support is principal to officers and the police chief.
At a time where the crime rate is high, there is a requirement for the quelling of malicious behavior. It may not be possible to stop crime forever, but having the capacity to diminish it to the best of the capabilities granted will ensure an overall safer environment. It is ascendant, therefore to make sure that the best are in charge. Police chiefs are the metaphorical sergeants of the streets and we rely on their abilities everyday.
These individuals cannot lead without adequate communication skills and it is principal to hire those that retain and perfect them constantly. Police are under fire constantly, whether it be the media or the dangerous situations that fill up their days, and they must have a cool head and effectively communicate. This is not only effective for newspapers, but for perpetrators on the job. If they were to get into a situation where an individual had a gun and was threatening acts of violence, it would be immeasurable to have the ability to talk them down. It is extremely important to make sure to find candidates with these skill sets for these types of occupations. Effective communication goes a long way in law enforcement.
References
Education Portal. (2012) Law Enforcement Management: Job Outlook and Requirements for Starting a Career in Police Admin and Police Management? Web.
Lansdowne, W. (2007). My Duty as Chief of Police. U~T San Diego. Web.
Spalding, G. (2010). Communication Important to Community Policing. Valley Times. Web.