Seattle cops reminded to use their words before their fists and guns
Mar 30, 2012, 2:38 PM | Updated: 5:17 pm
As the U.S. Justice Department completes an investigation of Seattle police for improper use of force, officers are getting refresher training in how to de-escalate volatile situations.
More than 100 officers were part of a training session Friday in improving verbal and non-verbal skills.
Most of us don’t like being told what to do. Even if it’s a police officer.
“But when you ask somebody for their cooperation, it makes them feel like they’re an important person, and people are going to be a lot more cooperative when you ask instead of tell,” said retired University of Arkansas-Little Rock communications professor Brian Polansky. He’s now consulting with the Seattle Police Department.
Veteran Seattle officer John Abraham says some people think that a cop’s most important skills are fast driving and straight shooting.
“That’s not true. The two most important skills a police officer has as communication skills and common sense. If you have neither of those, then you’re not going to succeed as a law enforcement officer,” said Abraham.
A spokesman for the police chief says Friday’s training session is typical of some of the training planned as part of the police department’s just-announced 20/20 plan to improve the police force and its relationship with the community.
