The Importance of Nonverbal Communication in Police Work

Police officers go through a lot of rigorous training before they are ready for the streets. They are trained about how to read the nonverbal cues criminals give when they are lying or about to flee the scene of a crime (Pinizzotto & Davis, 1999). Something police officers need to realize is that they themselves are communicating nonverbally to both criminals and the general public (Jacobs, 1993). According to Jacobs (1993), criminals and drug dealers are always looking for nonverbal cues such as eye contact and appearance in drug buyers to try and decipher whether or not they are actually an undercover officer. Not only in undercover situations do officers need to be careful of their nonverbal language, but also in instances of working with the public and during routine traffic stops. Research on three separate cases where a police officer was murdered has concluded that the appearance of being authoritative, firm, and in control can prevent an officer from being randomly targeted to be killed (Pinizzotto & Davis, 1999). A police officer's safety is dependent on their ability to nonverbally establish authority and dominance when working with the public in instances such as routine traffic stops. Ways a police officer can insure their safety is through direct eye contact, close physical proximity, voice control, and a maintained physical appearance (Burgoon et al., 1984; Tusing & Dillard, 2000; Mauro, 1984) . Without training on these nonverbal skills a police officer could compromise their life when dealing with the public (Pinizzotto & Davis, 1999). An explanation of how officer's can better improve their nonverbal skills will be provided.

One of the ways in which a police officer can establish their authority when working with the public and especially during a traffic stop is through direct eye contact with the individual. Research on eye contact has found that high eye contact communicated less emotional arousal and greater composure (Burgoon, Buller, Hale, & deTURCK, 1984). Emotional control and composure are key things for an officer to convey during a traffic stop as it shows a sense of firmness. Nonverbally displaying firmness is associated with maintaining authority and reducing the chance of being a target (Pinizzotto & Davis, 1999). High eye contact was also found to convey dominance and greater amounts of control (Burgoon et al., 1984). Both dominance and control are two things that effect the amount of authority someone is viewed as having. Another study found that males who received extended looks verses brief looks from another male judged that person to be more dominant (Thayer, 1969). In this case, using eye contact establishes an officer's authority and prevents the civilian from thinking that he may be able to make a quick move that could be life threatening to the officer.

Another way an officer can establish dominance and authority nonverbally during a traffic stop is through close proximity via leaning in toward the individual while speaking to them. Research on proximity shows that being in close proximity to someone else conveys composure, dominance, and control (Burgoon et al., 1984). A previous study found that individuals who want to exert their dominance, position themselves in a place of closer proximity to other individuals (Hare & Bales, 1963). At the same time when their dominant position was displayed through closeness others responded through focusing more attention on them (Hare & Bales, 1963). Displaying dominance through evading the civilians personal space shows control over the situation which ultimately serves to protect the officer's safety.

Low levels of eye contact and a distal position have been found to be associated with greater detachment (Burgoon et al., 1984). Low levels of eye contact and a distal position often nonverbally communicate to a citizen that the officer is preoccupied with other things (Pinizzotto & Davis, 1999). Conveying a sense of preoccupation and distance lowers the officer's authoritative presence which puts the officer's safety at risk. Studies have found that low levels of eye contact are associated with being seen as less dominant (Thayer, 1969). The less dominant a police officer presents themselves the less authority they are seen as having which can effect whether or not someone thinks they can take down the officer. The citizen may think they have a chance at either harming the officer or fleeing the scene if the officer does not use high amounts of eye contact and close physical proximity.

Another way in which a police officer can establish dominance and authority nonverbally during traffic stops is through their tone and the way their voice sounds. The pitch of voice is closely associated with how dominant or submissive someone is viewed. Research shows that a low pitch represents dominance and a higher pitch is considered submissive and feminine (Tusing & Dillard, 2000). Officers who use a low pitch or have naturally lower pitched voices, regardless if there are male or female, will better be able to establish their dominance when talking to an individual during a traffic stop. Loudness of voice or amplitude is also found to be positively associated with projecting dominance (Tusing & Dillard, 2000). High levels of amplitude or loudness show more energy in the voice which lets the civilian during a traffic stop know who has the authority (Tusing & Dillard, 2000). Other research shows that when physicians use a louder voice it establishes dominance and authority (Harrigan, Gramata, Lucic, & Margolis, 1989). In the same study on physician vocalics a faster rate of speech was seen as being dominant (Harrigan et al., 1989). Officer's making traffic stops should address the individual in the car with vocal intensity, loudness, and a rate of speech that is faster than normal in order to show dominance. In another study it was found that a faster rate of speech contributed to not only being seen as dominant, but also as competent (Buller, LePoire, Aune, & Eloy, 1992). Dominance was also found to be directly related to immediate compliance (Buller et al., 1992). If an officer is able to nonverbally portray themselves as dominant then immediate compliance is better attained. The first few minutes of an officer-civilian interaction are crucial in establishing dominance. The ability to manipulate the voice in a way that sounds dominant and authoritative provides for better officer safety. A quiet, high pitched, submissive voice could portray the officer as weak and timid which could make an individual think they have a chance at harming the officer (Tusing & Dillard, 2000).

Police officers are mainly identifiable by the uniform they wear and the appearance they keep. One of the biggest factors in establishing authority and dominance as a police officer is the way one is seen visibly. In a study that analyzed what the difference in people's perceptions are of an officer in a traditional uniform verses a blazer-style civilian-type uniform concluded that officers in a traditional uniform were seen as more competent and better able to defend themselves (Mauro, 1984). Pinizzotto & Davis (1999) concluded from their research on killings of police that officers, who were seen as fat and sloppy, made themselves an easier target. Another study that used a guard uniform in order to induce compliance in others found that a higher rate of compliance was seen when a uniform that projected authority was worn (Bickman, 1974). The way one presents themselves through manipulated codes greatly effects how they are perceived. When an officer keeps their uniform clean, polished, and as traditional looking as possible it communicates nonverbally to others that they are in a position of power. Also keeping physically fit contributes to an image that is authoritative and dominant (Pinizzotto & Davis,1999). The ability to establish dominance and induce compliance in others through physical appearance contributes to officer safety.

Police safety can helped be secured if officers everywhere are aware of how their nonverbal communication effects their ability to establish dominance, authority, and compliance in others. Types of nonverbal skills that convey dominance involve maintaining eye contact, close proximity, control over sound of voice, and a well-kept uniform (Burgoon et al., 1984; Tusing & Dillard, 2000; Mauro, 1984) . When an officer approaches a vehicle during a traffic stop eye contact should be maintained at all times and close proximity via leaning in toward the individual should be used in order to establish dominance and authority (Burgoon et al., 1984). When the officer begins speaking to the individual, a deep pitch should be used in addition to a loud voice and a fast rate of speech in order to further establish dominance (Tusing & Dillard, 2000). Finally, keeping physically fit and a polished uniform will help to maintain a look of "in control" (Bickman, 1974). In order to better teach these nonverbal skills to officers communities must ban together to increase awareness (Pinizzotto & Davis, 1999). While nonverbally reading criminals is focused on in police training, officer projected nonverbal communication should be focused on as well. Specific classes on communicating nonverbally should be offered when new officers are attending the police academy. If every officer took the time to make sure they were in control of their nonverbal language then others would think twice before considering them an easy target.

References

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