The activity is worth 15 points.
Read “Setting the Scene” and answer questions openly and honestly on how you will respond to each scenario. The questions are representative of the challenges law enforcement officers face on a daily basis and will help you recognize the personal traits and ethical behavior required of a police officer.
Setting the Scene:
Congratulations! You have just graduated near the top of the 343rd Metro Police Academy. You are a third-generation officer who has worked hard to meet your lifelong dream to work at MPD.
After graduating high school your first job was as a correctional officer with the Sheriff’s Department. This position allowed you an opportunity to gain experience in your chosen field while working the graveyard shift so you could complete your B.S in Criminal Justice in just three years.
Now that you have graduated from MPD Academy you are excited to discover that Sgt. Bill Smith has been assigned to be your Field Training Officer (FTO). Sgt. Smith is a legend in the Department who has a tough “old school” reputation. You feel lucky to have been assigned to Sgt. Smith and do not want to disappoint him or your family.
Answer the following in complete sentences:
(Negotiating Skills) It’s 3 am and your shift will be over in a few hours. You and Sgt. Smith respond to a loud Domestic Disturbance complaint. Upon arrival, you discover that a highly intoxicated man has broken into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment and is holding her and her two young children hostage. He claims to have a knife and will “cut everyone” if you don’t leave now. Sgt. Smith immediately recognizes that he is responding to you and asks you to keep him talking until backup arrives.
*List and describe at least 3 skills you will use to negotiate with the suspect and hopefully bring this to a peaceful conclusion.
*At what point, do you feel deadly force would not only be justifiable but necessary to use?
*If in the unfortunate circumstance, you utilize deadly force how do you think your response and the Department will be portrayed by the media regardless of the lives you saved?
(Integrity) You are working the 3-11pm shift and Sgt. Smith wants to celebrate the end of a successful first week on the job and recommends Mary’s a very popular but expensive restaurant. You protest a little because expensive meals are definitely not in the budget. Sgt. Smith won’t take no for an answer and says all officers eat there and besides it’s already covered. After being seated, the owner, Mary comes out to meet and greet you and Sgt. Smith. Mary says please order anything you like it’s on the house. You insist on paying, but at the end of a fabulous meal there is no bill. You have an uneasy feeling about not paying and violating Department policy. Sgt. Smith says stop worrying about it but if it makes you feel better leave a tip. You drop a $20 on the table and leave, but still do not feel any better about the situation.
About a week later, you get a message to call Mary. She asks about the meal and thanks you for dining there and oh by the way from your conversation recalled that you worked at the Sheriff’s Department prior to joining MPD. Mary asks if you wouldn’t mind calling one of your old friends at the Sheriff’s Department and “fixing” a ticket that she received in the County for accidently rushing to get to a wedding last Saturday?
*How do you respond to Mary’s request?
*What, if any will be the ramifications of your response?
*How will you handle similar situations regarding accepting free food or items in the future?
(Interpersonal Skills) While patrolling on Commercial Blvd., an industrial park area Sgt. Smith asks you to pull over and talk to a person he recognizes as a recently reported 16-year-old runaway. The individual is visibly distraught and is not willing to share any information. As a police officer you know that the easiest option is to immediately take custody and deliver the individual to the Juvenile Detention Center and let them deal with it. However, you understand that people are your priority.
*What skills would you use to try and build rapport and get the person help without having to use force? Describe some of the things that you would say to show you want to help.
(Stress management/personal stressors) Your time with Sgt. Smith as your FTO is drawing to a close. Although you don’t always agree with Sgt. Smith’s choices you still have a great deal of respect for him. You also realize that the job comes with an unexpected amount of stress. Sgt. Smith likes to unwind with a cigar and a few drinks at the bar with fellow officers before going home to a now empty apartment after the shift is over. You on the other hand have a spouse and a six-month-old to go home to.
*List and describe several ways you will deal with the stress of the job and maintain a healthy life work balance for you and your family.
(Interpersonal Skills) Julie and Stephanie are having difficulty getting along in the workplace and often disagree on ideas for projects.
*Brainstorm a list of possible
solutions while using critical thinking skills to resolve the conflict.
(Crisis Management) Research via Google the four stages of crisis management and explain in your own words the four different stages.
Negotiating Skills:
1. Active Listening: I will actively listen to the suspect, giving him my full attention and demonstrating empathy towards his situation. This will help build rapport and show him that I am genuinely interested in resolving the situation peacefully.
2. Empathy: I will try to understand the emotions and perspective of the suspect. By acknowledging his feelings and showing empathy towards his situation, I hope to de-escalate his emotional state and reduce the likelihood of violence.
3. Open Communication: I will maintain open lines of communication with the suspect, reassuring him that his concerns are being heard and taken seriously. I will try to find common ground to establish a sense of cooperation and work towards a peaceful resolution.
I would feel deadly force would be justifiable and necessary to use if the suspect poses an immediate threat to the lives of the hostages or law enforcement officers. If it becomes clear that the suspect intends to harm others and negotiations have failed, it may be necessary to use deadly force to protect innocent lives.
In the unfortunate circumstance that deadly force is utilized, the media will most likely portray the incident from different perspectives. While some may recognize the bravery and quick response of law enforcement in saving lives, others may question if alternative measures could have been taken. Regardless of the lives saved, the media may focus on the use of force, potentially leading to public scrutiny and debates on the appropriateness of the response. The Department will have to ensure transparency, properly investigate the incident, and communicate the details to the public to maintain trust and credibility.
Integrity:
I would respond to Mary's request by explaining that as a police officer, I am bound by a code of ethics and department policies that prohibit me from abusing my authority or using it for personal gain. I would politely decline her request and advise her to follow the proper legal channels to address her ticket.
The potential ramifications of my response may include Mary feeling disappointed or upset with me and possibly spreading negative word of mouth about the police department. However, it is important to prioritize ethical conduct and maintain the public's trust in law enforcement.
To handle similar situations regarding accepting free food or items in the future, I would kindly decline any offers and explain that department policies prohibit me from accepting such gifts. If necessary, I would offer alternative ways to show appreciation, such as writing a positive online review or recommending the establishment to others.
Interpersonal Skills:
To try and build rapport with the distraught individual and get them help without using force, I would use active listening and empathy. I would demonstrate genuine concern for their well-being and reassure them that I am there to help, not harm. I would validate their feelings and assure them that their current situation is not indicative of their worth as a person. I would offer resources and options available to them, such as seeking counseling or reuniting with their family. It is important to create an atmosphere of trust and safety, ensuring that they feel comfortable opening up and seeking assistance.
Stress management/personal stressors:
To maintain a healthy work-life balance and deal with the stress of the job, I would:
1. Prioritize self-care: I would make sure to set aside time for activities that help me relax and rejuvenate, such as exercise, spending quality time with my family, and engaging in hobbies.
2. Seek support: I would communicate with my spouse and talk about any work-related stress or emotional challenges. Additionally, I would seek support from fellow officers or join support groups to share experiences and strategies for managing stress.
3. Set boundaries: I would establish clear boundaries between work and personal life, ensuring that I have designated times when I am fully present with my family and not preoccupied with work-related stress or issues.
4. Practice stress-reducing techniques: I would develop and utilize stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and engaging in activities that promote relaxation.
Interpersonal Skills:
To resolve the conflict between Julie and Stephanie, possible solutions could include:
1. Encouraging open communication: I would facilitate a discussion between Julie and Stephanie, allowing them to openly express their ideas and concerns. This would create a space for understanding and finding common ground.
2. Mediation: If the conflict persists, involving a neutral mediator who can facilitate communication between Julie and Stephanie may be helpful. The mediator can help identify the underlying issues and guide them towards a resolution.
3. Collaboration: Encouraging Julie and Stephanie to work together on a project may help them develop a better understanding of each other's strengths and foster a sense of teamwork.
4. Conflict resolution training: Providing conflict resolution training to both Julie and Stephanie can equip them with the skills necessary to effectively manage and resolve conflicts in the future.
Crisis Management:
The four stages of crisis management are as follows:
1. Mitigation: This stage involves taking proactive measures to prevent or minimize the impact of a crisis. It includes implementing risk management plans, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and developing strategies to reduce the likelihood or severity of a crisis.
2. Preparedness: In this stage, organizations create emergency response plans, train employees, and conduct drills to ensure they are prepared to respond effectively to a crisis. This stage focuses on establishing clear communication channels, identifying key decision-makers, and preparing necessary resources.
3. Response: The response stage involves activating the emergency response plans and implementing the strategies developed during the preparedness stage. This includes coordinating resources, establishing command structures, and communicating with stakeholders to address and mitigate the crisis.
4. Recovery: The recovery stage focuses on restoring normal operations and addressing the long-term consequences of the crisis. This includes assessing the impact, implementing recovery plans, identifying lessons learned, and making necessary changes to prevent future crises.