Effective Communication
Carolina Fernandez
CJA / 304 Interpersonal Communication
May 8, 2013
Michael O’Connell, JD
Effective Communication
Effective communication is essential in any workplace, especially within a criminal justice organization. In this paper, the author will discuss the process of verbal and nonverbal communication and the associated components of each, the differences between listening and hearing in communication, the formal and informal channels of communication in criminal justice organizations and the strategies that may be implemented to overcome communication barriers therein.
Types of Communication and the Process Involved
Communication is defined as “a process involving several steps, among two or more persons,
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Channels of Communication
Channels of communication in a criminal justice organization help demonstrate how the information flows from one person or group to another. The flow of communication or channels can include formal or informal methods.
Formal
Formal channels of communication include orders, directives and written memorandums that follow a chain of command. Communication in this scenario usually flows downward from the highest level of the totem pole, such as a police chief down to its subordinates. This type of channel of communication has both its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of using a formal channel promote uniformity within the department. All officers, despite their rank, receive the same information. The disadvantage of using formal channels is that it sometimes stops the free flow of communication. If this channel type of communication is used it does not leave much room for officers to exchange freely any information within their department. That is to say that patrol officers usually are not encouraged to communicate amongst their peers but rather just receive instruction from their superiors. This hinders the department because officers are not encouraged to help one another, communicate with each other and possibly provide or exchange crucial information that might help them execute their responsibilities.
Informal
Informal channels of communication include “unofficial routes of
To understand how communication can improve within a traditional bureaucratic criminal justice system, one must understand the structure and how communication is dispersed within the respective criminal justice agencies. It is also important to realize that each agency or criminal justice organization has policy and procedures governing how communication is transmitted. (Stojkovic, Stan, Kalinch, David, & Klofas, 2012) Within law enforcement agencies information is passed either up or down the chain of command. Meaning
Purpose: The purpose of this speech is to educate and inform my audience of the risks inherent from unintended hypothermia. I’m eager to alert perioperative staff of the potential dangers as well as the preventative measures that can be taken in order to avoid complications associated with unintended hypothermia. My central idea is hypothermia management saves lives.
Managers promote poor communication when it is not planned out correctly, which can cause chaos and friction within the department. Emotions can cause a barrier and result in a communication breakdown. Poor communication is not always at the fault of the manager, poor listening on the staff’s part can
Communication helps police officers get their jobs done behind the scenes. One way police officers communicate is through effective writing; it is communication that the public does not see, but it is still very important. The public does not see police officers filling out the stacks of paperwork inherent in their job, but nevertheless, this
In the criminal justice system, a police officer’s ability to communicate is one of the most important traits an officer can have. Police officers communicate with everyone from the public to peers, arrestees, victim and suspect families, and court personnel. A police officer must determine the most effective way to communicate, using several different methods, with everyone without offending or sounding weak.
There are many purposes for communication within the very diverse criminal justice departments and agencies. Communication is a means of connecting people or places together and if not conveyed just right could be misunderstood and misinterpreted. The purposes for communication between the sender and receiver are to solicit information, to train, explain, or inform, to educate, mediate and persuade and last but not least to problem solve. Those were only a few modes or purposes of communication, the list goes on and on. Communication can be in the form of verbal, written, electronic, or something as simple as body language. Whatever conveys a message to a receiver is a form of communication. However it is conveyed or interpreted is another story and sometimes miscommunication leads to bad decisions. It is very important for a sender to take time and make sure the receiver understands all the information as well as if the receiver does not understand something questions need to be asked to obtain the correct information. In the criminal justice field it is imperative that all information is received and understood in the manner in which it is meant to be, if not it could actually be the difference in a life and death situation. Communication is often defined as a sharing or exchange of information, via a medium, between a sender and a receiver. (Collins & Stohr, 2014). There are two types of communication and that is formal which is verbal presentation or document intended
troduction Hook: As James Humes once stated, “the art of communication is the language of leadership” (Humes). Brief introduction about the law enforcement field and the issues within it that I have chosen.
Understanding the dynamics of organizational communication with in the area of law enforcement and correctional officers are in dire straights these days. The level of stress in the lives of these officers are layered in and around each persons' day to day existence. Do these officers have a way to decompress, relax, and then rejuvenate to begin again and continue the path they have chosen for themselves?
I agree communication is essential, especially within law enforcement, if there is a breakdown between the supervisor, management, subordinates and even a patcher, it can become a domino effect. Once information is being deprived or incorrectly delivered it can have a devastating impact. For example, if there was a shooting last night and the section supervisor chose to all inform last night crew of the description of the suspect and the vehicle that was driven, but doesn't not tell the oncoming supervisor of last night situation. This breakdown of communication can lead to the suspect avoiding capture and potentially hurting others. If communication is not used as a tool to advance production and policies, it can lead to officers violating
Since January 2016 I have noticed a gradual positive progress on Deputy Kaylor’s communication skills. When she applies effective communication techniques and combines it with a specific set skill like active listening, nonverbal communication, it shows her level of capacity to recognize and understand her own emotions and those of the persons that she is communicating with.
Communication is important to most professions and human relations in general. When it comes to a career in the Criminal Justice field, you must have great communication skills. Possessing these skills can keep you out of bad situations, and might even save your life. Communication can be verbal or non-verbal and to be able to do your job well, you need to know how to overcome potential communication barriers.
Good communication is a must in order for a police force to be able to be run smoothly and effectively. An example of good communication is a superior who talks to those below them. The superiors must clearly communicate with the people that they are charge of in order for them to be able to function correctly. They must make
Circular communication is give-and-take communication between people using circular questions to offer a reflection and effect change by encouraging participants to see their problems in a new way and to promote new solutions (Wright & Leahey, 2009). I have provided an example of circular questioning from a visit with L.M. regarding time management. A main stressor for L.M. has been getting all the house work done, taking care of her son’s needs, taking care of her personal needs and then trying to find time to do activities that she likes.
Dialogue is very important in every professions and day to day living. In law enforcement, there can be a used of a communication training course. I have three examples that should be remembered by law enforcement. One, dialogue, unlike debate or discussion, is as interested in the relationship(s) between the participants as it is in the topic being explored (Bruce Mallory, 2017). Second, inter-group and interpersonal conversation are granted an equal voice regardless of formal status. Third, non-judgmental awareness listen to the voicing ideas opinions thoughts and feelings and allow it to be treated as equally.
The second type of communication channel is the informal channel. The informal channel of communication is a non-sanctioned form of communication within a criminal justice organization. Wallace and Roberson states that informal communication may be considered department gossip, information from unaccredited sources, or news heard through the grapevine. The informal channel is used to pass information quickly if time is a factor within a specific situation. Although there is two channels of communication, both channels are needed so that cases, problems, or simple communicating may continue (Wallace & Roberson, 2009).