People Skills

[from the LAPD recrutment web page]

THE POLICE OFFICER JOB PREVIEW

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE FILLING OUT YOUR APPLICATION

The City of Los Angeles strives to hire the best candidate for every position. Our goal is to fill each job with a person who is well qualified, has an interest in the job, and who will be committed to a career in that field. To do this, we feel it is important to give each applicant a realistic description of the job and its tasks so that the candidate can decide for him or herself if the position is truly one in which there is interest and ability to do well.

As a Police Officer with the City of Los Angeles, you will be required to perform a large variety of tasks. These tasks will encompass many diverse aspects including learned skills and "people" skills. Some of these may be appealing to you, some may not. Some of the skills you will need to perform will be taught to you in the Academy and some rely on traits you bring with you to the position. We urge you to consider the entire job of Police Officer and not just the exciting or glamorous aspects.

What follows is a realistic preview of the types of tasks which are required of all Los Angeles Police Officers. They are intended to give you a better understanding of the job and consequently your willingness and abilities to perform the job on a daily basis. The list is not intended to be exhaustive or to describe every task required of a Police Officer. Please take a moment to truly consider whether the job of Police Officer fits you, as well as whether you fit the job of Police Officer.


COMMUNICATION
Police Officers are required to fill out many different forms, logs, and reports. Correspondingly, Police Officers must write legibly and clearly and have a good working knowledge of English grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, and spelling. Police Officers must be concise, descriptive and thorough in all written documents.
Police Officers constantly communicate with members of the community. It is crucial to initiate contact with members of the community to better understand the needs and problems of a particular area. Police Officers must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with the public on a daily basis. Police Officers also must interview and obtain information from victims and witnesses of crimes in a manner appropriate to the situation and culture of the people involved.

Police Officers meet with and make presentations to groups of residents and/or business people from various neighborhoods regarding local crime, traffic, and related problems.

Police Officers may be required to work the front desk at a police station. This involves numerous activities including answering phone calls from the public; taking reports; explaining the law and LAPD policies; listening and responding to complaints about police service, and handling complaints from citizens who walk into the station.

Police Officers must testify accurately and credibly in court regarding arrests, reports taken, evidence recovered, and victims' statements.

Police Officers must employ excellent listening skills, in person and on the telephone. Officers must listen closely to what is being said and retain that information, identifying needs and emotions being expressed and demonstrating interest and involvement.

Police Officers deal with all segments of society. Some members of the general public may have hostile feelings toward Police Officers and may express their hostility to the Officer in words or actions. A Police Officer must always behave professionally in the face of provocation.