The dispute between the police department and the civil police oversight board exists due to a lack of information flow when a use of force episode transpires. Members of the civil police oversight board are advocating for the defunding and subsequent dismantling of the police department due to their lack of experience in law enforcement. These members are worried that the absence of information when a use-of-force event happens demonstrates the hidden motivations underlying the continuance of such an incident. Therefore, they fear that the police department may be behaving unlawfully in specific cases of using force and concealing it from the board. I will start by recognizing and controlling emotions when using the IMPACT technique to settle the issue. This action involves identifying another person’s worries and sentiments and then asking questions that aid them in pondering what they are expressing. Emotions are highly essential during communications (Fitch, 2015). Emotional maturity, or the capacity to recognize feelings, will set you up for success while interacting with others. Being emotionally aware will allow me to communicate more effectively. It assists in noticing other people’s feelings and how their emotions impact how they interact. I will also have a deeper understanding of what the civil board members are communicating to me and why. Understanding how someone communicates with you is sometimes more essential than what is stated.
Agreeing to disagree, not insulting the other individual, and making them feel significant and relevant are all part of establishing rapport. In conflict resolution, rapport is essential in how much trust negotiators create to achieve comprehensive solutions. The rapport between opposing parties is connected to their readiness to collaborate, communicate essential details, issue reduced ultimatums and threats, and decrease the likelihood of stalemate (Moore, 2014). The more successful we are in convincing people, encouraging positive behavior, evaluating issues, resolving conflict, and calming intense emotions, the better we will be at forming and sustaining rapport. On the other hand, other people are unlikely to share their ideas and feelings with us, listen to our advice, or follow our demands unless we can create trust and rapport. We build rapport with individuals by identifying commonalities and making connections (Fitch, 2015). Therefore, developing a positive relationship between the police department and the board members is critical to ensure that the dispute resolution process runs smoothly and that both sides are open to the solutions suggested.
Analyzing what the other individual has to say and observing the issue from their point of view are required to master the story (Fitch, 2015). Police must abandon their immediate preconceptions, discuss issues, and attentively listen to the person’s responses, which might assist in illuminating the person’s troublesome conduct. Understanding the dispute’s reasons, origins, and evolutions allows both sides to develop binding solutions that do not leave one dissatisfied. Excellent listening skills are also essential when engaging with angry, upset, or irritable individuals (Moore, 2014). This statement is because the better we comprehend a situation, the better we are at solving it, developing rapport, encouraging positive behavior, resolving conflicts, and calming unpleasant emotions. Regardless of the significance of listening, police departments give shockingly inadequate listening training (Fitch, 2015). Consequently, before proposing a solution, the police department should commit to understanding the natural and authentic causes of the dispute from both viewpoints.
Central to improving conduct is first comprehending why someone acted the way they did and then recommending a more feasible action to prevent the problem behavior in the interaction (Moore, 2014). This IMPACT model component requires that the civilian police oversight board refrain from making quick judgments and complaints against the police department without first comprehending the causes of the lack of information surrounding the use of force. We will not be very adept in interacting with others if we cannot acquire their willing participation, irrespective of how proficient we are at emotional regulation or listening (Moore, 2014). Noteworthy, officers often assume that it is their responsibility to issue commands and that other individuals must obey those directions. They have great authority as police officers, such as the right to arrest, search, and detain. However, the police department must ensure that its personnel knows that their ability to coerce or force people physically is limited. This degree of restraint is being integrated into the de-escalation training curriculum to help officers understand when and why force is required (Moore, 2014).
Avoiding controversial speech, offering clear direction, and understanding why the other individual is agitated and irritated are all ways to control your response (Stoughton & Alpert, 2021). By implementing this component, the police department avoids an unwanted conflict with the board, which may result in insults. Controlling and monitoring their answer helps them to carefully select their words and reply appropriately after understanding why the board is concerned about defunding the police department. Irrespective of our experience or history in police forces, none of us is immune to emotions. We, like everybody else, experience impatience, anger, annoyance, aggression, anxiety, and sadness. While emotions fulfill many crucial tasks, overwhelming emotions can cause many issues (Fitch, 2015). They can impair our capacity to listen, make it impossible to focus, and lead to violent conduct. We become an element of the problem instead of part of the solution when we permit our emotions to govern us. Law enforcement officers do not have the option of giving in to intense emotions. Rage, irritation, and animosity have many consequences (Stoughton & Alpert, 2021). Instead, individuals must develop self-awareness and good coping skills to moderate their reactions. Therefore, this applies in instances of conflict resolution, such as in this scenario where the police department has to exercise patience with the board and not resort to erratic and often costly decisions. Regardless of the board’s lack of experience in law enforcement, the police department must ensure its response is measured to avoid escalating the conflict.
Police frequently communicate with people significantly different from them regarding perspective, knowledge, self-awareness, and cultural upbringing. Police must be taught to detect such disparities and comprehend, appreciate, and give direction from the other person’s viewpoint. Perspective-taking is among the most significant components of conflict resolution (Fitch, 2015). Whenever we examine a problem through another individual’s lens, we are more inclined to be able to settle conflicts with them and make the resolution last. Major focal points in conflict resolution happen when one party understands the other’s view of the situation or feels emotions. The other individual or group frequently responds with their own recognition. People often tend to listen extra attentively and show evidence of relief after others start comprehending their point of view, behaviors, and feelings (Stoughton & Alpert, 2021). Consequently, conflict resolution can then occur organically.
Acknowledging does not always imply concurrence with the viewpoint, conduct, or beliefs. Occasionally all that is required for conflict resolution is for the relevant parties to listen and be receptive to understanding the other individual’s point of view and emotional reactions to it. It is not always necessary for individuals to agree between themselves (Fitch, 2015). We frequently go through full talks with others without recognizing that their and our viewpoints are based on differing information. Our inability to understand different points of view might hinder our ability to handle conflict, alleviate intense emotions, and sway others. Recognizing how we perceive and justify the conduct of others, in contrast, hand, allows us to accept variations in viewpoint more readily and, as a result, improve our ability to connect and interact with one another (Stoughton & Alpert, 2021).
By taking perspective, the police department will understand why the civilian police oversight authority is disturbed by the lack of information on the use of force incidents. Furthermore, the former will also appreciate the origin of the latter’s distaste for using force, which may revolve around the historical nature of police brutality. Additionally, the board will also understand the reason for the absence of information on the use of force. Taking perspective, therefore, allows both parties to hear, understand and appreciate the causes of the conflict from a different viewpoint (Stoughton & Alpert, 2021). The first initiative the police department should adopt is to ensure a proper flow of accurate and verified information on the use of force incidents to the board members. This action will reduce the distrust that exists between these two parties. The information provided should include video recordings from police body cameras showing how the situation ensued. Relay of such data will prevent further confrontations on the matter and prevent the board members from calling for defunding the police department.
Secondly, the police department should embrace training officers on de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention methods. This training ensures that all officers are equipped with the necessary skills to diffuse volatile situations with minimal fuss. Furthermore, such training also ensures that officers employ only reasonable force in extenuating circumstances to calm the situation and maintain peace. Well-trained officers will reduce the instances of using force in specific incidents where it is unnecessary. These officers will also ensure to use of reasonable force within the legal limits to prevent violating citizens’ rights and fundamental freedoms.
Thirdly, the police department has to ensure that the civilian police oversight board members undergo special education courses on law enforcement so that they can understand and appreciate the difficult task associated with law enforcement. This education should include a course tailor-made to enlighten the members on the reasonable use of force in policing and situations where such force is necessary. Additionally, such education will ensure that these members are aware of the legal limits of using force in policing without infringing upon the rights of citizens. Ultimately, the members will appreciate that using force may not be conducive but sometimes necessary to maintain law and order. In summary, this will reduce the confrontation and conflict between the civilian police oversight board and the police department.
References
Fitch, B. D. (2015). Law Enforcement Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Management: The IMPACT Model. Sage Publications.
https://test.petramedica.pl/sites/default/files/webform/praca/pdf-law-enforcement-interpersonal-communication-and-conflict-manageme-brian-d-fitch-pdf-download-free-book-c6a19e2.pdf
Moore, C. W. (2014). The mediation process: Practical strategies for resolving conflict. John Wiley & Sons.
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=34wfAwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=Moore,+C.+W.+(2014).+The+mediation+process:+Practical+strategies+for+resolving+conflict.+John+Wiley+%26+Sons.+&ots=Dih8YJWiJn&sig=aBnLsSEdsGgtAdokJmUQgHCGuBc
Stoughton, S. W., Noble, J. J., & Alpert, G. P. (2021). Evaluating police uses of force. NYU Press.
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=lWwDEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP9&dq=Stoughton,+S.+W.,+Noble,+J.+J.,+%26+Alpert,+G.+P.+(2021).+Evaluating+police+uses+of+force.+NYU+Press.&ots=6KstVrbxuX&sig=YszYScdmRSvjljBkvR6ReXkYVmI
Wallensteen, P. (2018). Understanding conflict resolution. Sage.
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=mqR5DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Wallensteen,+P.+(2018).+Understanding+conflict+resolution.+Sage.&ots=RlZNwIp8Ul&sig=BIpHrSGCeA2Mb2aAvKDyS7RujIg
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