Effective Communication - Process of Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

Effective Communication

Effective communication is an important skill to posses, especially when working in law enforcement. Understanding the process of verbal and non-verbal communication along with the components of each is must have knowledge. In order to be successful in effective communication a person must know the difference between listening and hearing. A person within the law enforcement community must understand the various formal and informal channels of communication. It is just as important to know what the barriers are that can prevent effective communication and strategies that can be used to overcome the barriers within the law enforcement community.

Process of Verbal and Non-verbal Communication

Communication is defined as “a process involving several steps, among two or more persons, for the primary purpose of exchanging information.” (Wallace, 2009, p. 15). There are five basic steps within the communication process and it is important that each step is completed in order for there to be effective communication. Transmitting an idea is the first step within the communication process, this is when one or several thoughts and desires are formed and an act is performed to relay those thoughts or ideas to another person. The second step in the communication process is sending the idea through a medium; after a person has formed the message they must decide how to relay the information to others either with verbal or written communication. Receiving the message is going to be the third step, after a person have developed the message and decided on either verbal or written communication they must carry out the action; for example if the choice is to use verbal communication once the speech is developed the speaker must gather their audience and make their speech and if the choice is written then the person with the message must decide what type of written form the message will take and then distribute the written message to the appropriate people. The fourth step in the communication process is understanding the idea; a message is considered useless even after sending it out unless somebody who received it understands the content. The last step within the communication process is feedback this is when the receiver of the message either confirms they understand what is being said or they ask for clarification. Whether a person is using written or verbal communication the process is the same the way that the action is carried out may vary a little, but will still follow the same guidelines.

Listening versus Hearing

Some people think that because they hear what a person is saying means that they are listening; however that is far from the truth. A person can hear what another is saying without effectively listening to the message. Hearing is something than anybody can do; when a person only hears