Analysis of Policing Principles, Training, and Officer Demeanor

This report delves into the foundational principles of policing, emphasizing the importance of officer demeanor and emotional intelligence as highlighted by Sir Robert Peel. It examines the significance of training programs in shaping a "thinking police officer" and cultivating culturally competent officers. The report explores guidelines for enhancing officer demeanor, including stress management techniques and community engagement programs. Furthermore, it underscores the critical role of psychological fitness, effective communication, and the reduction of violence and justifiable homicides within law enforcement. The report uses references to support the arguments and analysis presented.

Question 1: The nine founding principles of policing lay down the foundation towards reinforcing the
attributes of an efficient police. Sir Robert Peel, emphasized the need to have a perfect command of
temper, (A history of nine principles of policing, 2015) as a quiet determined demeanour can help
make wise decisions and take decisive actions. Having control over one’s temper reflects one’s own
self-control, self discipline and involves a great amount of emotional maturity these are the desirable
traits of high emotional intelligence that is required of an police officer. Timothy W. Turner, states “law
enforcement officer in today’s environment requires intelligence about and control of emotions in order
to meet the demands faced” (Turner, 2009)
Effective policing involves taking concerted, calculated decisions maintaining composure and
controlling temper; which in turn can aid effective decision making ability as to what specific action
has to be taken in any circumstance. As Peel observes, absence of these traits may make these
officers ill-suited for their jobs and handle people in the wide variety of circumstances law enforcement
personnel confront. Hasty, indecisive steps and careless decisions are often related with officers who
respond by losing their own temper leading to less desirable results and incendiary circumstances for
citizens as well as the law enforcement mechanism.
In order to achieve this end, securing and training of proper persons is the root of efficiency. While
recruiting the right type of personnel helps tapping the right resource, improving and educating the
appropriate police officer, is of primary importance too. After the recruitment process is done, the
physical requirements have to be in balance with the psychological make-up of the officer. The
recruitment procedure has to involve a threefold manifesto-
 Ratio of employees should reflect the diversity in colour and national origin
 Recruitment from wide variety of college disciplines
 Ensure the psychological capability to handle the job. (Principles of Good Policing:Avoiding
Violence Between Police nad citizens, 2003)
The selection process involves a series of steps designed to aid selection procedure that includes
educational requirements, psychological screening as analyzing whether the candidate has the
potential to meet the requirements of a police officer. The rigorous training process involves decision
making programs, emphasis on reduction in unnecessary shootings and in-service training of “officer
survival” etc.
Question 2: In my opinion the demeanour training has been adopted as an essential part of law
enforcement training in law enforcement officers successfully. The training session is designed to
develop a “thinking police officer” (Sofia Graça, 2013)such that the focus is on analyzing the situation
and responding in appropriate manner. There is a lot of emphasis given to develop the psychological
behaviour and improving the educational attainment of police recruits so that it results in what James
Fyfe terms it as “culturally competent officer on the street” (Sweet., 2000)
Question 3:
In order to develop demeanor of law enforcement officers, guidelines should be adopted so as to
attain balance between the established policing principles and the contemporary issues in order to
make positive contributions
 Better stress management methods to handle job related stress and mental strain- engage in
compulsory methods such as meditation, swimming, outdoor games
 Police community programs, games and programs held through public funding
 Periodical training and sessions on bettering communication, interpersonal relations and soft
skill development
 Improving motivation levels and productivity by constant appraisals and acknowledgement by
public

Some of the assessment metrics to gauge the success of the program include attrition levels,
incidents of violence and lower justifiable homicidal levels. Assessment by designated experts
pertaining to Staff enthusiasm and turn out, overall participation levels and general and specific
feedback will help analyze the success of program.
Question 4: While the selection and training of personnel is one of the most areas of responsibility,
the analysis of the psychological fitness and training for effective communication is of vital importance.
Effective training to achieve this end is necessary to attain the demeanour of an upright officer and will
address the growing concerns of violence and justifiable homicides. Law enforcement involves high
stress levels, integrity and public accountability. (Principles of Good Policing:Avoiding Violence
Between Police nad citizens, 2003) Training can address these issues to endure stress of working
conditions and ability to carry out heavy responsibility.
Training for effective communication; both oral and verbal, is of utmost importance as the job of an
officer warrants face to face interaction with community members. Training to sharpen communication
skills and using tactical manoeuvres is important to resolve situations of crisis and to handle a
situation effectively. Development of interpersonal skills, better crisis management skills, finer soft
skills are some of the larger benefits of effective communication training.
References
A history of nine principles of policing. (2015, November 19). Retrieved November 24, 2016, from
magnacartaplus.org: http://www.magnacartaplus.org/briefings/nine_police_principles.htm
Principles of Good Policing:Avoiding Violence Between Police nad citizens. (2003, September).
justice.gov .
Sofia Graça, K. L.-B. (2013). Blackstone's Handbook for Policing Students. Oxford University Press.
Sweet., D. (2000). Revisiting Who Is Guarding the Guardians. National criminal justice , 2-25.
Turner, T. W. (2009). Understanding the Benefits of Emotional Intelligence for Officer Growth and
Agency Budgets. The Police Chief , 94-102.