EFFECTS OF POLICE INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION

• NCJ Number: 56361
• Author(s): J A FAGIN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 209 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: SPECIAL PRICES FOR ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AT CARBONDALE - DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

Annotation

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INTERPERSONAL ATTITUDES AND SKILLS OF POLICE OFFICERS AND THEIR ABILITY TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS IS EXPLORED ON THE BASIS OF FIELD OBSERVATIONS AND SURVEY DATA.

Abstract

POLICE-CITIZEN INTERACTIONS IN MORE THAN 100 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE SITUATIONS HANDLED BY OFFICERS IN 3 NORTHEASTERN KANSAS POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE OBSERVED. OFFICERS WHO ENCOURAGED SUPPORTIVE INTERPERSONAL CLIMATES WERE MORE EFFECTIVE MANAGERS OF CONFLICT THAN WERE OFFICERS WHO RESORTED TO THREAT, FORCE, OR ARREST. A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY OF POLICE OFFICERS FROM THREE KANSAS COUNTIES ELICITED ATTITUDES TOWARD THE USE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT. MOST OF THE 229 RESPONDENTS FELT CONFIDENT IN THEIR ABILITY TO HANDLE DISPUTES, ALTHOUGH 49 PERCENT HAD NEVER RECEIVED TRAINING IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION. MOST OFFICERS FELT COMFORTABLE TALKING TO CITIZENS, AND MOST FELT THAT CITIZENS WERE SATISFIED WITH THEIR DISPUTE-HANDLING METHODS. SEVERAL (37.5 PERCENT) OF THE RESPONDENTS DISLIKED HANDLING DISPUTES, AND 59 PERCENT FELT THAT POLICE SHOULD INTERVENE IN A DISPUTE ONLY IF A LAW IS BROKEN OR IF THERE IS THREAT OF INJURY. NEARLY ALL RESPONDENTS FELT THAT POLICE MUST CONSTANTLY BE ON GUARD AGAINST DANGER. MOST RESPONDENTS (81 PERCENT) FELT THAT DISPUTE INTERVENTION INVOLVES A PARTICULARLY HIGH RISK OF INJURY. THE RESPONDENTS GENERALLY FELT THAT AN OFFICER'S ATTITUDE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OBTAINING COOPERATION FROM CITIZENS AND IN DETERMINING THE OUTCOME OF A DISPUTE. THE OFFICERS WERE SURPRISINGLY SUPPORTIVE OF NONTRADITIONAL, INFORMAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES (COUNSELING AS OPPOSED TO ARREST OR FORCE). IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS FOR IMPROVING THE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT SKILLS OF POLICE ARE DISCUSSED. LITERATURE ON INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION IN THE DELIVERY OF POLICE SERVICES AND ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES ASPECTS OF THE POLICE ROLE IS REVIEWED. SUPPORTING DATA, A COPY OF THE SURVEY INSTRUMENT, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)