What Type of Person Thrives in the Law Enforcement Industry According to a Police Officer at UCLA Police Department
Success in law enforcement hinges on strong communication skills, both verbal and written, as "you can talk yourself in and out of situations," and accurate reporting is crucial. Beyond communication, a willingness to confront wrongdoing, coupled with humility, a strong sense of justice, and the ability to offer and receive constructive criticism, are key attributes, ensuring that even "the bad guys" are treated with dignity and respect.
Communication, Confrontation Management, Leadership and Mentorship, Sense of Justice, Humility and Respect
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lindsay Schirner
Police Officer
UCLA Police Department Department
UCLA, 2015
n/a
History, Art History
Government & Public Sector
Legal
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Strong communication skills (both written and verbal) are essential for report writing and interactions with the public.
2. The ability to handle confrontation and speak up against wrongdoing is crucial.
3. Good leaders in law enforcement are encouraging, provide constructive criticism, and are receptive to feedback; they also demonstrate humility and treat everyone with dignity and respect, even those who have made mistakes.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in law enforcement?
The number one thing is being a strong communicator. This isn't just verbal when you're interacting with people; you can talk yourself in and out of situations. It's also crucial in writing, as we document everything.
All of our reports are written, and it's essential to communicate articulately. When you're on the stand defending your written reports, you want to ensure everything is accurate, true, and makes sense. Otherwise, you could get into serious legal trouble.
Another important attribute is not being afraid of confrontation. This doesn't mean being blunt or rude, but rather speaking up when you see something wrong. We've all seen situations on the news where officers stood by while a colleague acted wrongly. Those individuals don't succeed in this career.
When thinking about this question, I considered leaders I respect. A common theme among them was their ability to encourage their peers. At the same time, they were quick to offer constructive criticism articulately and thoroughly, not condescendingly, but in a way that inspires growth.
They were also receptive to criticism of themselves. Those who do well in this job have a strong inner sense of justice and social order, as that's what we enforce.
Along with encouraging others, they generally have humility and don't take themselves too seriously. Broadly speaking, those who do well in this career are considerate of others. They treat everyone, even those who have made bad decisions, with dignity and respect.
These are the traits I see in the people I respect most and who I believe excel in this career field.
Advizer Personal Links
No thank you :)