Communication Proficiency Flashcards

An officer is dispatched to a call involving a person who is deaf. What is the MOST effective initial communication approach?

Answer: Write notes back and forth or request an ASL interpreter

Writing notes is an immediate, effective option while a qualified ASL interpreter ensures full and accurate communication for a Deaf individual.

What is the main risk of an officer making promises to a witness in exchange for their cooperation?

Answer: Promises can constitute coercion and make statements inadmissible

Making unauthorized promises to witnesses can be viewed as coercive or deceptive, potentially making statements inadmissible and exposing the officer to misconduct complaints.

During a press briefing, a sergeant shares the name of a juvenile suspect with the media. What is the likely legal and ethical problem?

Answer: Juveniles are typically protected by confidentiality laws and releasing their names violates those protections

Michigan and federal law generally protect the identity of juvenile suspects; releasing their names violates confidentiality laws and exposes the department to legal liability.

What is the purpose of using the phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie...) in radio communications?

Answer: To prevent misunderstandings of letters that sound similar over radio

The NATO phonetic alphabet prevents confusion between letters that sound alike (like B and D, or M and N) when transmitted over radio with potential interference.

An officer's report uses the phrase 'I believe the suspect was lying.' What is the problem with this statement?

Answer: It is an opinion/conclusion rather than a documented fact or observation

Officers should document specific observable indicators (inconsistent statements, nervousness, contradictory physical evidence) rather than conclusions about truthfulness.

Which of the following best describes the communication technique of 'mirroring' during an interview?

Answer: Subtly repeating the last few words a subject says to encourage them to continue speaking

Mirroring in interviews involves repeating the last few words the subject said, which encourages elaboration without leading the subject toward a particular answer.

A supervisor reviews an incident report and finds that the officer documented hearsay without identifying it as such. Why is this a problem?

Answer: Unidentified hearsay can be mistaken for first-hand observation, distorting the factual record

Hearsay must be clearly attributed (e.g., 'Witness Smith told me that...') so readers can distinguish what the officer personally observed from what others reported.