Book Review: Police Talk: A Scenario Based Communications Workbook for Police Recruits and Officers

• Author: Donald Faggiani
• DOI: 10.1177/0734016806295594
• Published date: 01 December 2006
• Date: 01 December 2006
• Subject Matter: Articles

Book Reviews
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Marion acknowledges the important role of the community in crime reduction. “In most
places, communities are the central institution for crime prevention. Most communities
exercise social control through local, informal relationships” (p. 439).
Several of the models “that work” in chapter 10 deserve greater national study, attention,
and funding. The current dynamics caused by the need for security requires balance with
individual liberties. Following a more than 200-year history of lack of oversight, the judicial
system at all levels must become accountable to the public.
Ronald G. Helms
Wright State University, Centerville, Ohio
Reynolds, J., & Mariani, M. M. (2002). Police Talk: A Scenario Based Communications
Workbook for Police Recruits and Officers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
DOI: 10.1177/0734016806295594
Saying the right words at the right time is what the book Police Talk is all about. The
basic premise is that good communication skills will help law enforcement do their jobs
more effectively with less anger and other problems that are often associated with poor
communication skills. It is a simple notion, but in law enforcement, it is one that has all too
often been brushed aside in favor of the tough, stoic street cop image.
Over the past 25 years, law enforcement in American society has experienced a major
philosophical shift moving from the traditional reactive modality to a proactive approach
focused on problem solving and community interaction. With the shift in philosophy, new
strategies are needed to meet the changing role of the officer on the street. The ability to pre-
sent oneself as both an authority figure and a professional requires the skills to communicate
effectively. These skills should be a standard component of every police training program.
In their book Police Talk, Jean Reynolds and Mary Mariani state that it is written as a
guide to “help both recruits and experienced officers develop and sharpen the verbal skills
so...