Introduction
In a world seeming being changed by law enforcement due to the public’s encounters with the police, it is important to question why there is such a poor public perception in regards to policing. Much of this can be accredited to how police officers communicate with the public. In 2008, The National Institute of Justice states that there is a correlation between quality communication and poor communication in regards to police contact. The public is much more likely to respond well to officers with respectable demeanors and proper communication skills in comparison to those on the opposite spectrum. The national institute of justice also states that there is an alarming amount of people who question the legitimacy of policing. To a person entering this field, it is a topic that is not only alarming, but also worthy of more research.
Rationale
Through quantitative, and qualitative research, I will be looking to answer the question of why the public’s perception of policing is so poor. It is important to understand that the majority of this can be related to interpersonal communication as well as intercultural communication as law enforcement and the public are two entirely different cultures. For instance
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What the studies show is that the public values law enforcement officials more when they can communicate in a proper manner thus leading to more effective police encounters with the public. This literature review will examine an array of resources that depict how the public’s perception of policing has decreased. The literature review will also show how effective interpersonal skills among police officers helps to build a higher level of trust with the public. These themes will include perceptions of policing, communication and public relations correlation, and police communication