Top 10 Skills Every Officer Should Have
Empathy - By understanding the feelings of others, especially those in need, officers can build trust and cooperation with the residents they serve.
Strong Communication Skills - Say what you mean and mean what you say, but do it respectfully with class. Strong communication skills and active listening skills are valuable in our profession. They are equally important when interacting with our residents and can escalate situations with residents and co-workers unnecessarily when not properly used.
Keen Problem Solving Ability - Having a the ability to solve problems enables us to effectively navigate complex and unpredictable situations. This ability expands once we are aware of the resources available for ourselves and our residents.
Attention to Detail - An officer's attention to detail is crucial as it can have a significant impact on the success of investigations which can lead to improved community trust, and increased public safety, or lack thereof. When writing reports, always detail: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. Your attention to detail will make you stand out, especially if others are lacking in this area.
Procedural Knowledge - Know your organization's standard operating procedures, as well as your agency's vision and mission statements. It is essential that law enforcement members know their roles and operate within the scope of their authority in the performance of their duties.
Understand Your State Laws and City Ordinances - Understanding your State laws and local ordinances assists you in enforcing the laws correctly and fairly within your jurisdiction.
Teamwork and Collaborative Skills - Having great interpersonal skills will not only improve your ability to connect with others in your agency, these skills will also improve your ability to build relationships and accomplish shared goals with stakeholders in your community. Always remember that there is no "I" in TEAM. We must work in collaboration with others to have the greatest impact.
Great Time Management Skills - Officers who have great time management skills are more productive and improve their ability to adapt to the demanding and unpredictable nature of our work. Create methods or templates to assist you in streamlining your investigations which will assist you in writing your reports.
Situational Awareness - Situational awareness is crucial in law enforcement. We always need to pay attention to our surroundings, threats and potential threats, not just for ourselves but for our residents as well. While on patrol, our focus can't be on social media, our focus should be on what's happening around us.
Creativity and Vision - Creativity and vision are becoming increasingly important in our profession. The attitude of, "That's the way we've always done things" is shifting and is slowly going to the wayside. Now is the time to utilize creativity (within our scope of authority) to solve community and agency problems in order to positively impact our profession and the lives of our residents. The world is changing and so is our profession.
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