Effective Communication

Being able to communicate effectively is a tool law enforcement officers need to be productive in their jobs. Officers need to recognize verbal and nonverbal cues given by individuals they are interviewing and be aware of their own verbal and nonverbal actions in the same process. To be effective an officer needs to know how to listen and not just hear a conversation. Training in peace officers help prepare for the barriers they may encounter with society as well as other officers in their department. Knowing the chain of command and what is actually and what is rumor can present discontenting among officers in a department. The bottom line is communication in law enforcement is a vital tool in the success in society and within a department.
Effective communication is critical within criminal justice organizations. When communicating with criminals, witnesses, suspects, victims, attorneys, and law enforcement, it is imperative that effective communication is employed, because if not, it could change the life of other people. Criminal justice organizations utilize formal and informal channels that include verbal, non-verbal, and paraverbal communication. Law enforcement officers must be skilled in the art of communication; both oral and written.
A great leader is simple defined by getting things done through people. A leader needs to work with and through individuals and groups to accomplish organizational goals through effective communication. Kokkelenberg states "we tend to trust those individuals who have integrity, solid values and a strong character ethic". To be a trusted leader, the leader needs work on your character and be trustworthy thru strong effective communication.  
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the College of Notre Dame performed a case study called Identifying Characteristics of Exemplary Baltimore Police Department First Line Supervisors.   The researchers used a focus group of commanders, police officers and supervisors to...