By Gary T. Klugiewicz
Lessons Learned and Lost – 12 tips for cultivating the practice of courtesy
It’s amazing to me how many painful lessons we learn in the police and correctional arenas that are simply learned and then lost - again. Cultivating the practice of courtesy is one of those painful lessons that we keep forgetting until we are once more burnt by our forgetfulness. Almost twenty years ago, Thomas J. Lange, St. Petersburg Junior College, Florida wrote an article entitled “Cultivating the Practice of Civility” in the Police Chief Magazine. As a tactical trainer, I find that actual or perceived Dis-Respect is a source of many of the assault on officers and complaints generated by every day interactions. We need to do a better job on “practicing” civility.
If we can remember the points outlined by Thomas Lange, so many years ago, we will keep ourselves safer today both inside and outside of the walls – safer physically, legally, and psychologically because less verbal and physical confrontations lead to a reduction of stress and improved quality of life for us.
Let’s see what he has to say about how to on establishing “Guidelines for the Maintenance of Courtesy and Civility:"
1. Use Professional Introductions
2. Maintain Proper Tone Of Voice
3. Maintain Proper Voice Volume
4. Use Appropriate Forms Of Address
5. Use Appropriate Body Language
6. Avoid Crowding
7. Never Express Personal Opinions
8. Never Use Profanity
9. Never Use Demeaning Remarks
10. Don’t Get “Hooked” By Provocations By Citizens
11. Explain What We Do And Why We Do It, When possible, Or If Asked
12. Practice Good Listening Techniques
These are concepts that can keep us out of trouble. The bottom line is that as Dr. George Thompson of the Verbal Judo Institute likes to say Civility is Tactical. It keeps us safer. Learn it. Practice it. Benefit from it.
