Dealing with Diversity in

Law Enforcement

by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dealing with Diversity in

Law Enforcement

by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

Police calls

often require

you to take

control of an

emergency or

crisis.

In these situations, you need to

establish your authority quickly.

But other

situations require

a different

approach...

…focusing on

sensitivity and

professionalism.

For example, you might be interviewing

a victim who’s afraid to talk to you…

…a hospital patient…

…a child…

…a person with

limited English…

…or someone with another challenge.

Diversity is a

fact of life

today, and you

can expect to

meet a wide

range of people

in your law

enforcement

career.

Here are some tips that can help you

become an effective communicator:

1. Make eye contact.

2. Use your normal voice.

3. Know how to deal with people in special

situations, such as persons who are deaf or blind,

have a physical disability, or aren’t fluent in

English.

4. Make professionalism and respect your priorities.

1. Make eye contact.

Sit down or bend your knees when

talking to someone in a hospital bed…

…a child...

…or a person seated in a wheelchair.

-Talk directly to

the person

you’re

interviewing, not

a family member

or caregiver.

-Don’t say, “Did

your mother

hear anything

suspicious?”

-Say, “Did you

hear anything

suspicious?”

2. Use your

normal voice.

Shouting doesn’t help!

Resist the temptation

to raise your voice

when you talk to

someone who’s

visually impaired or

doesn’t speak English

well.

If you’re having

communication

problems, look

for a solution.

Strategies to try:

-Ask for an

interpreter.

-Switch to

writing.

-Slow down!

3. Know how to deal with people in

special situations.

Some people who are deaf are highly

skilled at lip-reading.

Speak naturally, and make sure the

person you’re talking to can see your

mouth.

A person who’s

blind may

appreciate help

navigating an

unfamiliar place…

but ask first.

Gently steering

the person’s

elbow can be

helpful.

Never pet or play

with a service

animal.

4. Make professionalism and respect

your priorities. In sensitive situations,

think before you speak and act.

Never use slurs

or offensive

language.

Respect people

who may be

different from

you because

they’re

hearing-

impaired…

…visually-impaired…

…sitting in a wheelchair…

…gay, bisexual, or transgender…

…or diagnosed with a condition such as

AIDS…

…or autism.

Some useful guidelines:

-Avoid intrusive questions when you

meet someone different from yourself.

-Anticipate the needs of others. For

example, persons with autism may be

upset by loud noises and flashing lights.

-Respect the intelligence of everyone

you talk to, regardless of age, ethnicity,

physical challenges, or lifestyle.

-Don’t fool yourself into thinking that

“different” means “inferior.”

You can learn additional communication

skills by purchasing Police Talk…

…available for purchase at

www.Amazon.com.

And be sure to visit

www.YourPoliceWrite.com for help with

report writing.

All the resources there are FREE:

www.YourPoliceWrite.com.