Written and Interpersonal Communication: Methods for Law Enforcement, 5th edition

For courses in Report Writing, Law Enforcement Communications, Law Enforcement Technical Writing, and Criminal Justice Communications.

Written and Interpersonal Communication Methods for Law Enforcement is a practical and easy to read guide to oral and written communications in the law enforcement and criminal justice fields. It helps students master communication skills, theories, and issues; provides practical examples and exercises; and includes helpful guides for improving spelling, vocabulary, and overall writing. The text includes both general theories and techniques to improve communication, and specific guidelines for writing documents common in the field, such as affidavits and search warrants.

Prepares students for on-the-job communication tasks–practical suggestions for report writing and speech preparation and presentation get students ready for on-the-job communication.

• Familiarizes students with the various types of communication needed in the field of criminal justice.
• Examples of real reports and documents illustrate how text material is applied in the real world.

Guides students in the critical differences between oral and written communications.

• Provides examples that illustrate differences between oral and written communication
• Includes effective communication techniques specific to each communication mode.

Helps students improve communication–through practical exercises and drills.

• Detailed instructions and guidelines help students identify communication issues and improve their skills.
• Rules for improvement, review questions, and practical applications sections are provided at the end of each chapter.
• “Better Writing Drills” sections review English grammar rules and other writing tips.

Introduces students to oral interviews and interrogations–including practical suggestions for conducting and analyzing these tasks.

• Students see the importance of communication in real situations and apply text material to real examples. 

• The need to write correctly
• Keys to good writing
• Report writing tips
• Communication by E-mail
• Strategies for dealing with difficult conversations
• Responding to persons with epilepsy or having seizures
• Subject and object pronouns
• Problems with verbs
• The art of writing little
• Communication mistakes that leaders make
• Kinesthetic speaking
• Using image-based words
• Updates on hostage negotiations
• Understanding generational differences in communication
• Presidential Executive order 13166 and the issue of translating justice to individuals with limited English speaking ability.
• The requirement to retain a police officer’s original notes after a report is completed.