Communication in the field of law enforcement has played a pivotal role in many of its successes; however, some barriers obstruct these achievements, must be dealt with if law enforcement agencies are to serve the people effectively. Wallace and Robertson (2009) define communication as the exchange of information between two or more people through a process involving several steps. For this reason, the perception of messages may vary among several individuals, and when coupled with the barriers that exist, any organization even law enforcement agencies are susceptible to consequences that may arise due to ineffective communication. Strategies exist that we can use in fixing these communication barriers.
To understand these barriers well, one must first understand the process of communication. The are two types of communication; verbal and non-verbal communication and for both, the process is the same. This process first begins with the transmission of an idea by a sender into a message that a recipient will understand (Wallace & Robertson, 2009). The sender must take into consideration the recipient’s level of understanding when forming the message and when selecting the mode of its transmission. The message could, therefore, be writing or speaking depending on the type of communication.
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When a sender passes his or her message by speaking to the recipient, this type of communication is known as verbal. On the other hand, when a sender gives his or her message by writing or using gestures, we call this non-verbal communication. Both forms of communication can in use at the same time by a sender. The most important part of the communication process is the receipt and understanding of the message by the receiver. Without this step, communication will stop.
The last step of the process is the feedback given by the recipient once he or she receives and understands the message. This response indicates that the receiver has understood the message transmitted by the sender (Lee, 1993). This explanation sums up the process of communication, but it should be important to note that communication is only successful when there is listening and not just hearing. Listening requires the recipient to pay attention to the sender to process the message he or she is transmitting. The action of hearing is best characterized by the lack of focus on the sender’s message by the recipient .
Channels are used to converse with individuals efficiently. Two channels of communication exist, formal and informal. These channels ensure that there is an efficient flow of information in any organization. Formal channels in law enforcement are characterized by the flow of information up and down a chain of command (Wallace & Robertson, 2009). For most law enforcement agencies in the world, formal channels may involve directives, written memos and a strict adherence to order.
Informal channels, on the other hand, are characterized by the flow of information through unofficial means. This channel provides a break from strict routines and offers an opportunity for personal discussions known to boost morale and performance at work. In law enforcement, detectives around the world use this channel to aid in their investigations.
Both channels of communication come with advantages and disadvantages. Formal channels are considered more organized, and therefore they provide the highest level of clarity. In a police department setting, all officers receive the same set of directions eliminating any chance of confusion and a paper trail that one can reference later (Wallace & Robertson, 2009). However, the strict adherence to procedure makes formal channels slow and restricts information flow within an organization. Informal channels allow the free flow of information in any setting but lack any uniformity. Balancing these channels of information is the key to ensuring maximum advantage is reaped from both.
Knowledge of the communication process, the different types of communication and the various channels of communication is not enough to promote good communication. In law enforcement, barriers that influence the effectiveness of communication must be overcome if effective communication is to develop. Thereby ensuring that safety and efficiency are maintained in the provision of law enforcement to everyone.
In the field of law enforcement, barriers to effective communication include; language or semantics, physical, emotional and ineffective listening (Wallace & Robertson, 2009). Communication heavily relies on language, which merely is words put together to make sensible meaning. However, people may derive different definitions and understanding of words and phrases used in communication. This barrier is known as a semantic barrier. Within law enforcement agencies, there is the use of specific jargon that might not be familiar to an ordinary citizen. The existence of immigrants also means that there are individuals limited in English proficiency. To effectively communicate with them, law enforcement agencies may employ the use of bilingual officers present in the workforce. However, if these individuals are few or do not exist at all, a diverse group of officers should be employed. This diversity would mean equal representation of available ethnicities in a community.
Sometimes law enforcement officers may have trouble in passing messages owing to technical difficulties, distance and weather (Wallace & Robertson, 2009). These barriers are known as physical barriers. Physical barriers because of weather are considered out of the officers’ hands. However, the provision of emergency reserves by law enforcement agencies ensures some degree of preparedness for such disaster. This could mean providing alternative communication devices such as satellite phones if power and telephone lines are destroyed. If reserves are limited, then quick thinking and appropriate action plans by officers in charge should easily save the day.
Emotional barriers in most cases are a result of personal experiences. When a law enforcement officer lets his or her beliefs, perceptions and attitudes come in the way of service delivery, then effective communication is barred (Wallace & Robertson, 2009). Peer support systems within and outside the law enforcement agency are effective at overcoming emotional barriers.
Sometimes people do more hearing than listening. This is known as ineffective listening. This barrier is overcome when law enforcement officers are advised to listen actively (Wallace & Robertson, 2009). This ensures better processing of information without speaker bias and will result in an emotion-free response towards the speaker.
Conclusion
Communication barriers in law enforcement can result in disastrous events. An arrest may go wrong and result in the death of either the suspect or arresting officer. Therefore, overcoming any communication barriers that exist within a law enforcement agency will go along way in ensuring better service delivery and community relationships.
References
Lee, D., & Hatesohl D. (1993). Listening: Our most used communication skill. The University of Missouri Extension. Retrieved from http://extension.missouri.edu/p/CM150
Wallace, H. & Roberson, C. (2009). Written and Interpersonal Communication: Methods for Law Enforcement (4th ed.) . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
