6 answers
Joseph
Student
Sedro-Woolley, Washington
2
Questions
Asked
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What are some of the tools I should be familiar with in Law enforcement.
#police #law-enforcement #criminal-justice #law
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6 answers
Michelle Flahive-LeFebvre
Latent Print Examiner
63
Answers
El Paso, Texas
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Joseph, I have to agree with all the answers already given, but also add a few more. These other skills and tools you will utilize as a law enforcement officer are social skills. Being able to deal with all sorts of people, angry, sad, terrified, sick and dying individuals will be the main ones. You will also have to deal with people who are drunk or high on drugs and individuals who have mental health issues - all of which will require you to still treat them like human beings - even when they take their anger and frustration out on you. You will be trained for these situations.
Other tools you will need, which should be issued to you, are crime detection tools such as latent print kits. Sometimes, you, the first responder, will need to collect and process scenes for evidence. The Crime Scene Unit may not need to be called out to your scene.
So you will have a lot to do, many skills will be needed, and you will have many tools at hand. You will be trained on most of them, but school and experience will help a lot as well.
Other tools you will need, which should be issued to you, are crime detection tools such as latent print kits. Sometimes, you, the first responder, will need to collect and process scenes for evidence. The Crime Scene Unit may not need to be called out to your scene.
So you will have a lot to do, many skills will be needed, and you will have many tools at hand. You will be trained on most of them, but school and experience will help a lot as well.
Lahoma Moran
Police Officer
2
Answers
Lubbock, Texas
Updated
Lahoma’s Answer
Law enforcement tools are ever-changing. Yet while most first think of a firearm and handcuffs as tools of the trade, they are not the most-used. Here are the most common:
*Listening/Verbal skills- The ability to listen and communicate effectively and efficiently are your best tools. Whether it is listening to a victim describe how he was victimized or listening for out-of-place noises in a building or on the block, listening alerts you to potential problems. Then your ability to appropriately respond verbally to what you heard can lead you to keeping a victim from feeling like they have been victimized again, to gaining/maintaining control of a situation, and to keeping you, your partner, or your community safe.
*Computers- Much of police work is documentation, which is usually done via a computer records system. While each agency may have a different program, familiarity with a computer and keyboard and basic writing skills are a must. Knowing how to type quickly and correctly means that you can accurately record the details of an incident efficiently and return to service for your next caper. Keep in mind that it may be years before a case goes to court and as an officer, you may be limited to testifying to only what you documented; document well.
*Vehicle- While many may not consider a car as a tool, it is what is used to respond to calls for service. It is your mobile office, detention area, and equipment closet. Knowing how to operate a vehicle safely and how to stay organized in a confined space will help you optimize that tool.
Although listening/verbal skills, writing with the use of a computer, and your vehicle aren't the most glamourous of tools, they will serve you well if you use them well.
*Listening/Verbal skills- The ability to listen and communicate effectively and efficiently are your best tools. Whether it is listening to a victim describe how he was victimized or listening for out-of-place noises in a building or on the block, listening alerts you to potential problems. Then your ability to appropriately respond verbally to what you heard can lead you to keeping a victim from feeling like they have been victimized again, to gaining/maintaining control of a situation, and to keeping you, your partner, or your community safe.
*Computers- Much of police work is documentation, which is usually done via a computer records system. While each agency may have a different program, familiarity with a computer and keyboard and basic writing skills are a must. Knowing how to type quickly and correctly means that you can accurately record the details of an incident efficiently and return to service for your next caper. Keep in mind that it may be years before a case goes to court and as an officer, you may be limited to testifying to only what you documented; document well.
*Vehicle- While many may not consider a car as a tool, it is what is used to respond to calls for service. It is your mobile office, detention area, and equipment closet. Knowing how to operate a vehicle safely and how to stay organized in a confined space will help you optimize that tool.
Although listening/verbal skills, writing with the use of a computer, and your vehicle aren't the most glamourous of tools, they will serve you well if you use them well.
Harold Evans
Dedicated Operations Manager
43
Answers
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Harold’s Answer
I would have an excellent knowledge of the penal code as well as constitutional law. Study and memorize then chapter and verse.
Scott Nichelson
Police Officer
2
Answers
Belle Center, Ohio
Updated
Scott’s Answer
You will become familiar with a variety of weapons and equipment. These include, but are not limited to, handguns, shotguns, rifles, radar, LIDAR, handcuffs, collapsible batons, pepper spray, tasers, radios, vehicles, and various less lethal munitions.
Ride-alongs with local agencies
Internships
Scott recommends the following next steps:
Gershom Slonim
Arson and Bomb Investigator/Police Officer
6
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Gershom’s Answer
I agree with Lahoma. Being able to listen and understand what a person is going through is one of the most important tools to have. Communication and verbal skill is also very important to make sure you co-workers and the people you interact with know exactly what you are saying.
Sign up for a cadet program
Ask your local agency for a ride-along
Gershom recommends the following next steps:
James Hanzel
Corrections and Security
236
Answers
Cape Coral, Florida
Updated
James’s Answer
The most valuable tool you can possess in the field of law enforcement is to be able to use verbal skills to deescalate. This is something that can cost you dearly if you do not have it. It can cost lives. Work on your ability to control stressful and dangerous situations without using force.