For this week’s discussion 3, select one skill that you plan to use for Paper 2, and post your response on Canvas. A typical skill would be interviewing/interrogation, driving, writing reports, public speaking, firearm use, handling suspects, etc. Write at least one page in paragraphs format covering the following areas:
Explain what the skill is, and the importance of it in policing
Justify your choice. In other words, why did you choose this or that skill? “I chose this skill because research shows……..”
How important is this selected skill for a police officer or police manager? Focus most of your effort on answering this question. This question needs to be research-based. Have at least two references to back up this part of your discussion. Your references need to be academic/scholarly references, not websites.
What kinds of positions require that skill
Where the skill is taught/trained
Don’t forget to list your references.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Importance of Effective Communication in Policing
Effective communication is a crucial skill for police officers and police managers. It plays a significant role in various aspects of policing, including interviewing and interrogation, report writing, public speaking, and even in the use of firearms. The ability to communicate effectively ensures that officers can gather accurate information, maintain public trust, and de-escalate potentially volatile situations.
I have chosen effective communication as the skill to focus on because research consistently highlights its importance in policing. According to a study by Klockars et al. (2000), effective communication is essential for building rapport with community members, obtaining reliable information, and resolving conflicts peacefully. This research suggests that officers who possess strong communication skills are more likely to gain cooperation from witnesses and suspects, leading to successful investigations and safer communities.
The selected skill of effective communication is of utmost importance for both police officers and police managers. For officers, it is vital in carrying out their day-to-day duties such as interviewing witnesses and interrogating suspects. Effective communication skills allow officers to establish rapport with individuals, elicit accurate information, and detect deception. Moreover, it enables officers to communicate clearly and assertively during critical incidents, ensuring their own safety and the safety of others.
For police managers, effective communication is equally crucial. They are responsible for leading and guiding their teams, ensuring that information is conveyed clearly and efficiently. Effective communication skills enable managers to provide clear instructions, delegate tasks effectively, and maintain a positive work environment. Moreover, strong communication skills are vital when interacting with the community, building relationships, and addressing concerns or conflicts.
Positions within the police force that require strong communication skills include patrol officers, detectives, hostage negotiators, community relations officers, and police supervisors. These roles involve regular interaction with the public, fellow officers, and other stakeholders. Effective communication is essential for building trust, resolving conflicts, and maintaining order within the community.
The skill of effective communication is typically taught and trained in various ways within the law enforcement community. Police academies offer specific courses focusing on communication skills development. These courses cover topics such as active listening, nonverbal communication, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques. Additionally, ongoing training and professional development programs provide opportunities for officers to further enhance their communication skills throughout their careers.
In conclusion, effective communication is a fundamental skill for police officers and police managers. Its importance lies in its ability to facilitate accurate information gathering, maintain public trust, and create safe communities. Research consistently emphasizes the significance of effective communication in policing. Positions within the police force that require this skill range from patrol officers to supervisors. Police academies and ongoing training programs offer opportunities for officers to develop and refine their communication skills. By prioritizing the development of effective communication skills, police organizations can enhance their effectiveness and improve their relationships with the communities they serve.
References:
Klockars, C.B., Kutnjak Ivkovich, S., Harver, W.E., & Haberfeld, M.R. (2000). The measurement of performance in policing: A critical analysis of the literature. Criminology, 38(3), 647-678.
