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The Importance Of Interpersonal Skills In Law Enforcement

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Law enforcement professionals must have the interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate with a variety or people in complex situations. When used correctly Brian Fitch’s six-step IMPACT model, is a tool for officers in communicating and connecting more effectively with people in the law enforcement environment. The models includes the following six principles:
• Identify and master emotions
• Master the story
• Promote positive behavior
• Achieve Rapport
• Control your response
• Take perspective
The ability to effectively communicate with others is a process. Building the right process is the key to successful communication (Fitch, B. 2016). Interpersonal communication skills or the lack of these skills were evident in a Brownwood Police Department call for service several years ago. On July 2, 2010 at approximately 10 P.M. a citizen called into the Brownwood Communication 911 Center advising that a family member was armed with a knife and threatening others. I and two other officers responded to the call. On arrival we observed that a male was standing in his kitchen holding a large knife to his chest. He had already injured one family member and was inside the residence by himself threatening suicide. The two other officers and I all had our guns drawn with one officer ordering the male to drop the knife. The subject continued to refuse and became more agitated and began screaming. I began coordinating less lethal options of force over the radio

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