Law Enforcement Agencies Receive Special Training

Communication and problem solving skills are essential for law enforcement officers. They are trained to expect the unexpected whether it`s verbal or non-verbal. Lieutenant A.B. Bickham has been with the force for more than 20 years and admits communication can be a problem. "Many times, many times, both with the public and a lot of problems with communication skills with the officers themselves," explained lt. A.B. Bickham, Shreveport Police. That is why the Bossier Sheriff decided it was time to have a seminar, focused on interacting with the public in a positive way. Officers not only shared ideas, but also experiences in the field and how situations could or should have been handled. "We do have to relate it in a practical situation. We don`t communicate in a classroom, we communicate with the public on the side of the highway, in their homes and at schools," said Lt. Bickham. "Be polite, treat people with respect, but don`t abuse the people, but don`t take any abuse yourself, and don not jeopardize your safety doing it," commented Joe Morris, Criminal Justice Program, Northwestern State University. The instructor also stressed the importance of perception and how to appropriately approach a suspect and to always remember cultural differences. "With the immigration and different minority populations we have we are a diverse area. we are not dealing with just our type of people, we have to communicate and have the public understand what we mean," said Lt. Bickham. Officers said that blending textbook knowledge and field policing is one of the biggest challenges to overcome.