Session One Communication Flashcards
What are the Roles, Missions and Functions of Police? – S. 6 Police Act
Keep the peace by:
- Protecting life and property.
- Providing Social services.
- Upholding the law.
- Maintaining order.
- Preventing and detecting crime.
NSWPF Code of Conduct & Ethics
An employee of the NSW Police Force must:
- Behave____________________________________________
- Act ________________________________________________
- Know _______________________________________________
- Treat ________________________________________________
- Comply ______________________________________________
- Comply ______________________________________________
- Take ___________________________________________________
- Only _________________________________________________
- Not ____________________________________________________
- Report ______________________________________________
- Behave honestly and in a way that upholds the values and the good reputation of the NSW Police Force whether on or off duty
- Act with care and diligence when on duty
- Know and comply with all policies, procedures and guidelines that relate to their duties
- Treat everyone with respect, courtesy and fairness
- Comply with any lawful and reasonable direction given by someone in the NSW Police Force who has authority to give the direction
- Comply with the law whether on or off duty
- Take reasonable steps to avoid conflicts of interest, report those that can not be avoided, and co-operate in their management
- Only access, use and/or disclose confidential information if required by their duties and allowed by NSW Police Force policy
- Not make improper use of their position or NSW Police Force information or resources
- Report misconduct of other NSW Police Force employees.
The NSWPF Statement of Values Police Act (1990), Section 7
- Places ____________________________________________
- Upholds __________________________________________
- Preserves _________________________________________
- Seeks ____________________________________________
- Strives ___________________________________________
- Capitalises ________________________________________
- Makes ___________________________________________
- Ensures __________________________________________
Section 7 of the Police Act 1990 Each member of the NSW Police Force is to act in a manner which:
(a) places integrity above all,
(b) upholds the rule of law,
(c) preserves the rights and freedoms of individuals,
(d) seeks to improve the quality of life by community involvement in policing,
(e) strives for citizen and police personal satisfaction,
(f) capitalises on the wealth of human resources,
(g) makes efficient and economical use of public resources, and
(h) ensures that authority is exercised responsibly
Where does the Oath of Office come from?
Police Regulation 2015 (NSW), Clause 7
7 Oath or affirmation of office for police officers
What are 5 Human Rights never justifiably breached by police?
(TARPA)
- Cannot torture and/or cruel and degrading treatment or punishment.
- Cannot place someone under arbitrary arrest and/or detention.
- Right to a fair trial.
- Presumption of innocence.
- Ban on arbitrary interference with privacy, family, correspondence, honour or reputation.
Common law rights and how they underpin actions and decisions of police:
- Common Law (is judge made law, like cases- have like punishments).
- Common law rights (treat everyone fairly without bias).
- Guides all our policies and procedures.
Police powers and human rights-
Police powers are given to them by treaties, statutes and legal precedent.
Police have the power to breach some human rights given they have justification.
Police can justify breaching human rights of others when?
Deadly Force – violation of the right to life (Article 3).
Arrest – violation of the right to liberty (Article 9).
Surveillance and Searching - violation of the right to privacy (Article 12).
The definition of ‘Culture’ is?
- Shared beliefs, values and behaviour.
- As a result of their race, religion or even something as simple as their job type.
What is social inequality?
Social inequality is where one individual, group or community has access to a wider range of opportunities or possible outcomes within society than another.
What are the processes in place to ensure police keep the peace without bias?
Policies procedures and legislation to keeping the peace. Training in regard to critical thinking encourages police to become aware of their own culture and there own biases.
What is ‘Discretion’?
Acting according to your own judgement where your authority leaves you free to do so. Enabled by Original Authority and Statute Law.
What is Appropriate Discretion?
(HABIT)
H – Have consistency.
A – Act in good faith.
B – Base your decision on rationality (not emotion).
I – Ignore irrelevant factors.
T – Take account only of relevant factors.
What is Inappropriate Discretion?
- Ignores relevant facts.
- Takes account of irrelevant facts.
- Is applied inconsistently (subjectivity as its basis).
- Is based on irrationality, emotion or how you’re feeling.
- Is applied in bad faith.
Lawful sources of Police Discretion:
Sources of police Discretion:
- Original Authority of the Constable. (Common Law)
- Statute Law
Reasons for Police Discretion:
- Community as a whole does not always want the law enforced.
- Uphold the spirit rather than the letter of the law.
- Law breaker’s intent is not always deliberate, ‐ malicious or evil.
- Laws cannot conceive of every situation and still remain workable.
Link between discretion and the rule of law:
Remains consistent no matter who has committed the offence because no one is above the law.
How does Communication work (model):
- Sender Encodes.
- Barriers.
- Receiver decodes.
- Feedback.
What are communication barriers:
- Organisational
- Physical
- Cultural
- Linguistic
- Interpersonal
Strategies to overcome communication barriers:
- Speak clearly.
- To the point.
- Use diagrams, hand gestures.
- Translators.
Why do police need to be effective communicators?
- To get their point across.
- So people listen to police and obey the given to them directions.
What does it mean to communicate?
To send or receive information.
How do we communicate?
- Verbal - Face to face, telephone
- Non-verbal communication - Body language, gestures, how we dress or act.
What is and why is feedback important?
- Feedback is acknowledging the message has been received - e.g. nodding head, agreeing, repeating statements.
- It is important, as it confirms that the message has been received and understood correctly.
Benefits of Improved Customer Service:
- Increased public confidence in the NSWPF.
- Lower complaint rates and lower costs associated with complaint management.
- Greater recognition of staff.
- More efficient court proceedings and a positive impact on crime rates.
- Increase the willingness of victims of crime to seek assistance from police
What’s the police radio used for?
- CNI checks- Central name Index.
- Status updates.
- Reports.
Police Radio use theory:
- Turn it on - Everything is recorded.
- It is not a mobile phone.
- Talk clearly and concisely.
- Keep transmissions short.
- Build short brakes into long transmissions.
Police radio- Common Procedures 1:
- Call off or on re: jobs.
- Stand buy: everyone to wait and not transmit unless urgent.
- Copy: acknowledge.
Police Radio- Common Procedures 2:
- Signal 1: life of officer in danger.
- Urgent: Immediate attention from VKG and assistance required.
- Radio secure: Only meant for police ears.
List of Police Radio checks:
- CNI: Central Name Index (check on person).
- Warrant check: check if they have warrants.
- Licence check.
- ILS: Integrated licensing system: firearms or security.
- Vehicle: transport: Rego check.
- Location enquiry: location of address.
- Radio check.
how to conducting a name CNI check:
- Call sign and ask for acknowledgement.
- Ask for CNI/person/warrant check.
- Wait for go ahead.
- Surname then spell phonetically.
- Say first name spell phonetically.
- Give date of birth 02 01 1993.
- If you have address give address.
How to conduct a Vehicle check with VKG:
- Call sign.
- Ask for check.
- Wait for go ahead.
- Give rego details phonetically.
- Give state rego.
- Brief description of vehicle.
When conducting a Location check:
- Call sign.
- Ask for location check.
- Wait for go ahead.
- Give address.
- Street name phonetically.
What is and what can people report on the PAL (Police Assistance Line):
Public can report to this line:
- Break and enter.
- Fail to pay for fuel.
- Motor vehicle/vessel theft.
- Stealing.
- Malicious damage.
- Minor traffic crashes.
- Lost property.
- Taxi fare evasion.
When answering a telephone, you answer:
- Professionally
- With courtesy.
- Promptly.
What is ‘Assertiveness’?
The quality of being self-assured and confident without being aggressive. It shows you are in control of the situation.
- Exercising your own personal rights while respecting the rights of others.
- Its getting what you want while helping others get what they want.
What are four Characteristics of assertiveness?
- They are open They engage in frank expressions of their feelings.
- They are not anxious They readily volunteer opinions and beliefs, deal directly with stressful interpersonal communication situations, and question others without fear.
- They are contentious They stand up and argue for their rights, even if this entails unpleasantness with others.
- They are not intimidated They hold fast to their beliefs, and are not easily persuaded.
What are the ‘4 Assertiveness Rules’?
(HERB)
H – Be Honest.
E – Negotiate on Equal terms.
R – Relevant facts only.
B – Stick to your Bottom line:
- Honest.
- Professional.
- Build Rapport.
- Listen.
- Be Clear.
- Explain Powers.
What are the (communication) strategies for being assertive?
- Speak clearly.
- Speak confidently.
- Direct.
- Speak with fact and without judgement.
- Listen to what they say.
- Tone of your voice.
- Speak normally.
- Make sure body language matches tone and volume.
- Maintain eye contact and relax.
- State your position clearly
- Do not exaggerate
- Focus on fact, not judgements
- Avoid exaggerated words.
- Practice in many situations.
What is ‘Passive’ and ‘Submissive’?
- Passive = Accepting or following what others do.
- Submissive = Quiet ready to conform.
What is ‘Aggressive’?
- Using forceful actions to achieve goals.
- Little or no respect and regard for others. -
- Reactive and emotional responses.
What is a Conflict of Interest?
Conflicts of interest occur when the private interests of a NSW Police Force employee:
- interferes with or influences, OR
- appears to interfere with or influence their official duties and responsibilities
What are 3 types of Conflict Of Interest?
- Actual This is where a conflict exists between your official duties or responsibilities and your private interests
- Perceived Where it could be seen by others that your private interests could improperly interfere with or influence you in the performance of your official duties or responsibilities, whether or not this is in fact the case.
- Potential Where your private interests could interfere with or influence your official duties or responsibilities in the future.
What are 3 Broad Areas of Concern when it comes to Conflict of Interest?
-
Secondary Employment
- Employment outside of the NSWPF. -
Declarable Associations
- When an individual is associated with a person/group/organisation that is involved in (or perceived) an activity that is incompatible with the NSWPF. -
Interpersonal Relationships
- The space that should be kept between the professional and personal relationship of two people.
Managing Conflict (ASSCA):
A – Ask: make them aware what is required by asking/requesting that they do something.
S – Set context: always related to law, policy and procedure – bottom line and your powers.
S – Set options: what do they have to lose? Negotiate with something important to them.
C – Confirmation: find out if there is anything you can say to help them comply.
A – Action: relates to your goal and must be taken according to law, policy and procedure.
Misread Conflict:
- Mock aggression – the language a person uses may imply aggression but is not intended.
- Testing behaviour – people may seek to test out or resolve.
- Un-channelled anger – someone is feeling angry but not at you.
What is the difference between listening and hearing?
- Listening is comprehending and understanding.
- Hearing is hearing but not comprehending.
Factors that influence Effective listening:
- Talking while listening.
- Interest in the topic.
- State of mind (intoxicated tired).
What are the 4 types of listening:
- Non- listening.
- Marginal listening.
- Evaluative listening.
- Active listening.
What is Active listening?
- Listening with intent to understand.
- understand the content and context of the message delivered
- Aiming for complete understanding of point of view.
- They understand that the message is not relayed by words alone, but that other factors, which determine the full message being transmitted
What is Marginal Listening?
Hear words and sounds but do not compute what is heard into message format
They make little effort either to clarify information provided or to seek out further information
What is Evaluative listening?
- listen to the message but fail to capture the feeling behind the words
- They concentrate, but at the same time focus on making a rebuttal to the speaker’s message
- They are quite logical and emotionally detached and have a tendency to ignore verbal clues, that would help clarify the speaker’s message
- They regularly interject with sound argument relative to the message, and this constant interruption eliminates the likelihood of any empathy being developed