How can I reduce the risk of being the subject of a police ethics complaint?
The content of an ethics complaint can, in some cases, be seen as feedback on the service you provided to the complainant. The way you interact during an intervention can have an impact on the person's perception of their interaction with you.
If you are regularly the target of ethical complaints accusing you of disrespectful behavior or inappropriate use of force, it may be worth reviewing the verbal and non-verbal communication and intervention techniques you employ when interacting with a person.
You can do this by asking a trusted colleague to give you feedback on your conduct, asking your immediate superior to coach you, or asking for help if your behavior is linked to personal or professional problems.
The following points can also help you to better communicate and intervene with someone:
- Don't minimize the effect your presence can have on the person with whom you interact. For some people, your presence can generate anger or fear, which can be expressed in agitated or even aggressive behavior. On the other hand, some people may have inordinate expectations of what you can do to help them. Excessive expectations of this kind, when not realized, can sometimes lead to disappointment on their part.
- Make sure you have direct contact with the person to facilitate communication and foster a bond of trust and mutual respect.
- Be polite to members of the public to establish a dynamic of mutual respect. You should only use first names when you feel it will promote better contact with the person.
- Adapt your communication to the type of intervention and the person with whom you are interacting.
- Avoid escalation by remaining calm as long as the person does not pose a threat to your safety or that of others.
- Do not mock or insult the people with whom you interact, even when they are rude or agitated.
- Try to empathize with the people with whom you interact, trying to understand their perspective while maintaining some emotional distance. If you are unable to empathize with someone, you can still act respectfully and listen to them.
- Take the time to explain what you're doing and why.
- Take the time to let the person express or explain themselves, and listen actively and respectfully.
- Take detailed notes of your interventions so that you can refer to them later and explain the logic of your intervention if necessary.
- Let your co-worker take the lead if it appears that their contact with the person with whom you are intervening is better, or if you feel that you are about to lose your composure.