Role Of Communication In Criminal Justice Paper Cja/304
University of Phoenix
CJA/304
09/30/2013
In the criminal justice field, communication plays a critical role as either verbally or nonverbally (Wallace & Robertson, 2009). Communication is process by exchanging messages between a party of two or more. Messages can be either exchange verbally and nonverbally between the two or more party of people. Communication does not exchange by itself. There is a method to exchange the information from one person to another. In order for communications to process, there must be an individual to send the message. As the sender sends the message, the recipient will receive and interpret the message from the sender. There must always be a receiver at the other end …show more content…
to receive the message in order for the communication process to work.
Communication of sending messages from the sender to the receiver can either be verbally and nonverbally.
As part of communication, it should consists of words a sender want to use for their message to be sent to the receiver. In a verbal message, it should be brief and understandable. If the sender submit the verbal message, and it is unclear or understandable, the receiver may unable to decode message from the sender. It is very important for the sender to have the right tone and establish clear understanding of the beginning. With this in mind, the sender will be able to establish communication with the receiver. Once the receiver received and interpret the message, the receiver can provide a feedback to the sender. Verbal communication is not just between two or more party of people. According to (Wallace & Robertson, p. 14, 2009), “Oral communication skills are necessary to talk with members of the general public, request assistance from other officers, advise suspects of their Miranda rights, and inform supervisors that certain actions have …show more content…
occurred.”
Nonverbal communications can be shown through body movements, face, hand gestures, eye contact, and emotions. There may be times when verbal communication must be absent and communication between each individual is require. Through hand gestures, the leading member can communicate to the other members to move quickly or move to a certain spot when approaching a target. Nonverbal communications also be can in the form of written communication. Any information physically written down, such as reports and notes are consider as written communication. Once they are written down, it becomes “a permanent form of communication” (Wallace & Robertson, p. 23, 2009). Because the nonverbal communications are permanent physical written information, it can be reviewed at a later time. In this era of time, any physical written information can be transform into digital copies and saved onto the computer. With the use of e-mail, the sender can provide written feedback to the person who submitted the written information.
A good communicator always listen to what the other person is saying. By not listening and only hear the person talk, there will be no established communications between the two. “Hearing is the act of perceiving sound and receiving sound waves or vibrations through your ear” (Maureen, 2013). An individual hear sounds but may choose not to understand the sound. While the individual listen to hear a sound, and concentrate to understand it. While listening to sounds, the individual will sort out the information he or she wants to hear. “You concentrate on what you hear in order to understand the message” (Maureen, 2013). By concentrate on the sound the individual listen to, his or her brain will process the message they have heard.
In a criminal justice organization, there are two types of channels that helps information flow from one person or group to another. The two types of channel used in the criminal justice origination are formal or informal methods (Wallace & Robertson, 2009).
Formal channels uses the traditional route of passing information. It uses the chain of command to provide communications such as orders, directives, and memorandum. Information given by the top will go down the chain of command. As each command from the top receive the information, the communications will flow downward from the top of the pyramid down to the base. Information may also begin from the bottom of the base to go up the chain of command. Most of the time, the information will never reach the top. It is usually solve before it can go up any further in the chain of command.
Using the formal channel has both an advantage and disadvantage. While using the formal channel, it creates uniformity and professionalism in the department. Officers in the department will receive the same information passed down from the top of the chain of command. Ranks between officers makes no difference when receiving the same information. The disadvantage of using formal channels is you must submit written record up the chain of command when you are submitting ideas. It will take a long process until the information reaches somewhere in the top chain of command. There will also be an inability for a response for changing situations. Any communications that goes up the chain of command will be reviewed before moving up. Once it reaches the top, it will be a while until the response comes back down. As part of the chain of command, no officers may go interact with other higher officers in the department. Everything must go through the chain of command before receiving a response.
Informal channels does not follow the same routine as formal channel.
Communication of information does not come down from the top. Within the Informal channel, there will be many rumors flowing around the department (Wallace & Robertson, 2009). Rumors flying around provides information of possible changes in the department. Although it has not been official yet, many officers already knew the chief will retiring soon and many higher ups will be promoted. With the promotion of the higher ups, many of the divisions will fall under new command or joined other departments. Officers in charge of those divisions will be moved around as well. Knowing ahead of time of such possibilities, officers can be prepare for the changes. Informal channels is not just about gossips that goes on the department, it allow officers of a certain division to provide possible information to help assist with the other division (Wallace & Robertson, 2009).
Concerning effective communication, there will always be barriers. Some barriers to effective communication are emotional, physical, and semantic barriers. Emotional barriers can be cause when an officer has low self-esteem. Many of the time, the officer may feel afraid to communicate because lack of self-confidence. Because all his peers understand their job, he does not want to stand out and be make fun of by his
peers.
Physical barriers can prevent communication to work properly. Distance can prevent radio communication between the officer and dispatch. All radios have a certain radio frequency range they can reach up to. Anything past the max radio frequency range, communication may not reach the receiver.
Semantics barrier occurs when you use a certain phrase, it could have a total different meaning when communicating. The misinterpretation of your message by the receiver could be taken the wrong way when you mean something else.
Ineffective listening is a barrier when you choose to ignore a speaker. You may think you know everything the speaker is discussing about and may choose to ignore it. Sometimes you may not find the speaker interesting on his or her project and choose to have a closed mind.
To overcome any barriers, you must first understand what barrier is affecting your communication. After you have pinpointed what barrier is blocking your communication, you can try to remove the barriers to become an effective communicator.
Emotional barriers could be solved by admitting your fear and talk to someone. There are sources of programs which can help. Physical barriers can be solve by have some back up communications for long distance, or do not go too far out of range. Inspect all radios to be in good conditions, and properly functional. Going back to school or take courses online can may solve the semantic barrier. References:
Wallace, H., & Roberson, C. (2009). Written and interpersonal communication: Methods for law enforcement (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Maureen, . (2013). Difference Between Listening and Hearing. Retrieved from http://www.differencebetween.net/science/nature/difference-between-listening-and-hearing/
CJA/304
09/30/2013
In the criminal justice field, communication plays a critical role as either verbally or nonverbally (Wallace & Robertson, 2009). Communication is process by exchanging messages between a party of two or more. Messages can be either exchange verbally and nonverbally between the two or more party of people. Communication does not exchange by itself. There is a method to exchange the information from one person to another. In order for communications to process, there must be an individual to send the message. As the sender sends the message, the recipient will receive and interpret the message from the sender. There must always be a receiver at the other end …show more content…
to receive the message in order for the communication process to work.
Communication of sending messages from the sender to the receiver can either be verbally and nonverbally.
As part of communication, it should consists of words a sender want to use for their message to be sent to the receiver. In a verbal message, it should be brief and understandable. If the sender submit the verbal message, and it is unclear or understandable, the receiver may unable to decode message from the sender. It is very important for the sender to have the right tone and establish clear understanding of the beginning. With this in mind, the sender will be able to establish communication with the receiver. Once the receiver received and interpret the message, the receiver can provide a feedback to the sender. Verbal communication is not just between two or more party of people. According to (Wallace & Robertson, p. 14, 2009), “Oral communication skills are necessary to talk with members of the general public, request assistance from other officers, advise suspects of their Miranda rights, and inform supervisors that certain actions have …show more content…
occurred.”
Nonverbal communications can be shown through body movements, face, hand gestures, eye contact, and emotions. There may be times when verbal communication must be absent and communication between each individual is require. Through hand gestures, the leading member can communicate to the other members to move quickly or move to a certain spot when approaching a target. Nonverbal communications also be can in the form of written communication. Any information physically written down, such as reports and notes are consider as written communication. Once they are written down, it becomes “a permanent form of communication” (Wallace & Robertson, p. 23, 2009). Because the nonverbal communications are permanent physical written information, it can be reviewed at a later time. In this era of time, any physical written information can be transform into digital copies and saved onto the computer. With the use of e-mail, the sender can provide written feedback to the person who submitted the written information.
A good communicator always listen to what the other person is saying. By not listening and only hear the person talk, there will be no established communications between the two. “Hearing is the act of perceiving sound and receiving sound waves or vibrations through your ear” (Maureen, 2013). An individual hear sounds but may choose not to understand the sound. While the individual listen to hear a sound, and concentrate to understand it. While listening to sounds, the individual will sort out the information he or she wants to hear. “You concentrate on what you hear in order to understand the message” (Maureen, 2013). By concentrate on the sound the individual listen to, his or her brain will process the message they have heard.
In a criminal justice organization, there are two types of channels that helps information flow from one person or group to another. The two types of channel used in the criminal justice origination are formal or informal methods (Wallace & Robertson, 2009).
Formal channels uses the traditional route of passing information. It uses the chain of command to provide communications such as orders, directives, and memorandum. Information given by the top will go down the chain of command. As each command from the top receive the information, the communications will flow downward from the top of the pyramid down to the base. Information may also begin from the bottom of the base to go up the chain of command. Most of the time, the information will never reach the top. It is usually solve before it can go up any further in the chain of command.
Using the formal channel has both an advantage and disadvantage. While using the formal channel, it creates uniformity and professionalism in the department. Officers in the department will receive the same information passed down from the top of the chain of command. Ranks between officers makes no difference when receiving the same information. The disadvantage of using formal channels is you must submit written record up the chain of command when you are submitting ideas. It will take a long process until the information reaches somewhere in the top chain of command. There will also be an inability for a response for changing situations. Any communications that goes up the chain of command will be reviewed before moving up. Once it reaches the top, it will be a while until the response comes back down. As part of the chain of command, no officers may go interact with other higher officers in the department. Everything must go through the chain of command before receiving a response.
Informal channels does not follow the same routine as formal channel.
Communication of information does not come down from the top. Within the Informal channel, there will be many rumors flowing around the department (Wallace & Robertson, 2009). Rumors flying around provides information of possible changes in the department. Although it has not been official yet, many officers already knew the chief will retiring soon and many higher ups will be promoted. With the promotion of the higher ups, many of the divisions will fall under new command or joined other departments. Officers in charge of those divisions will be moved around as well. Knowing ahead of time of such possibilities, officers can be prepare for the changes. Informal channels is not just about gossips that goes on the department, it allow officers of a certain division to provide possible information to help assist with the other division (Wallace & Robertson, 2009).
Concerning effective communication, there will always be barriers. Some barriers to effective communication are emotional, physical, and semantic barriers. Emotional barriers can be cause when an officer has low self-esteem. Many of the time, the officer may feel afraid to communicate because lack of self-confidence. Because all his peers understand their job, he does not want to stand out and be make fun of by his
peers.
Physical barriers can prevent communication to work properly. Distance can prevent radio communication between the officer and dispatch. All radios have a certain radio frequency range they can reach up to. Anything past the max radio frequency range, communication may not reach the receiver.
Semantics barrier occurs when you use a certain phrase, it could have a total different meaning when communicating. The misinterpretation of your message by the receiver could be taken the wrong way when you mean something else.
Ineffective listening is a barrier when you choose to ignore a speaker. You may think you know everything the speaker is discussing about and may choose to ignore it. Sometimes you may not find the speaker interesting on his or her project and choose to have a closed mind.
To overcome any barriers, you must first understand what barrier is affecting your communication. After you have pinpointed what barrier is blocking your communication, you can try to remove the barriers to become an effective communicator.
Emotional barriers could be solved by admitting your fear and talk to someone. There are sources of programs which can help. Physical barriers can be solve by have some back up communications for long distance, or do not go too far out of range. Inspect all radios to be in good conditions, and properly functional. Going back to school or take courses online can may solve the semantic barrier. References:
Wallace, H., & Roberson, C. (2009). Written and interpersonal communication: Methods for law enforcement (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Maureen, . (2013). Difference Between Listening and Hearing. Retrieved from http://www.differencebetween.net/science/nature/difference-between-listening-and-hearing/