Play it cool : a question of attitudes. (1970)

Badman ago for the law enforcement officer the question of attitudes his and those he will deal with Hortense let us view this incident from two vantage points this point of view it looks like this a group of young men having a little innocent fun on a street corner [Music] the law enforcement officer approaching the group the nightstick the uniform creates a hostile menacing image [Music] unnecessary physical contact further escalates the sense of hostility this arbitrary and threatening attitude is seen as further proof of hostility [Applause] when viewed through the eyes of the group it is therefore no surprise that this interpretation may result in the situation getting out of hand we're retired now let's turn it around and look at the same incident from the point of view of the law enforcement officer [Music] from this vantage point the hostility anger and negative attitudes of the group perceived by the law-enforcement officer influence his behavior of the situation are indeed a question of attitudes [Music] here [Music] attitudes a very important element in shaping the behavior of people is what we want to take a look at today attitudes are tied in with feelings beliefs opinions people have feelings beliefs opinions or views about all sorts of things the way people feel about things determines to a great extent what they do about them it is common knowledge that everyone develops attitudes and the important thing to bear in mind is that the behavior is influenced by them attitudes are definitely an important factor in police performance your attitudes and those of the people you contact there is a point which you as a police officer should always keep in mind it is a very important point and one which has far-reaching significance for your success in dealing with people the point is this the way a person reacts to you depends to a considerable extent on what he thinks your attitude is notice that I did not say his reaction depends upon your attitude what I said was it depends on what he believes your attitude is the same is true of your reaction to persons you contact what you say and do and what the other person sees may be quite different but what you do is based upon your concept of reality you cannot actually see an attitude all that you can do is make inferences from the behavior that a person holds a certain attitude now the inferences you make about the attitudes of a person with whom you have contact help to determine the way you react to him on the other side John Q citizens reading of your attitude helps to determine his reaction to you if it appears to you that you are facing a man who detests police or who regards you with contempt your reaction to him will be quite different naturally than it would be if he seems to be reasonable and respectful for his part the citizen reacts to you also according to his judgments of your attitudes toward him in this respect there is nothing essentially different about police and citizen contacts attitudes play a similar role between people in all walks of life the first situation we will examine is that of a simple one-to-one relationship between officer and citizen his very first contact with this citizen is overly aggressive and threatening obviously apartment must his approach serves to intimidate and anger the motorists come out of town yes sir where are you living now New York pardon New York New York about all you New Yorkers guide the same way they don't make those lights back any redder and what you just come through as possible now to analyze the same incident and note the key differences that can bring about a far more productive result [Music] the officer is professional in his approach and yet keeps personal attitudes outside of his contact with the motorist he places his motorcycle behind the car and acts to reduce the anxiety already present in the situation good afternoon sir yes sir we have the red light back here at the core by removing his sunglasses and unbuckling his helmet he further reduces tension his tone of voice is firm but not overly hostile or threatening I see you're from New York it's quite heavy traffic up there sir I know by car not to find too much of New York either we have our your tourist or are you just down here working for the government now I'm a toilet officer I said how long are you gonna be in Washington the difference in the two approaches can readily be seen in the attitude of the citizen toward the police is strongly affected by which method the officer chooses to adopt a little more pleasant but you're gonna have to be much more aware in traffic because passing a red light is one of the major causes of fatality accidents in this city alright I'll be right back our second situation involves a brawl taking place in front of a bar again the police officer connects either just escalate or reduce the violence already present in the situation in this instance a hasty and violent approach fails to reduce the levels of anger and hostility now let's consider another approach [Music] in this instance the police officers act to reduce the conflict and separate the participants offering a reasonable and effective alternative used to be a friend of mine you've been knowing more seven years why you call me a liar for all my friends inside there but not arguments before haven't you I'm sure I go into Jonica Mondays a buk missile no gotcha dollar this guy over here oh he got your dollar I was sitting there I put the dog head to change it by my [ __ ] thank you fine check my party look I come again I ain't coming I've been drinking tonight I only had a couple of beers Dyson a couple of beers I go to John come back this guy was gonna Charlie's ah I don't want to press no judges when you get the doll no we're not gonna like you we think that you still gonna be friends all you need to do is talk to each other if you talk to each other I'm sure you sell the whole thing I swear that you know the end result of this second approach reduces the incidence of violence avoids adding another case to the already crowded court dockets they intends to create a more positive attitude on the part of the public toward the law enforcement officer in our third situation the police have received a call from a local high school that a small group of students are blocking the entrance to the school and creating a disturbance in front of it the school authorities have asked the police to remove the students from the front of the school the approach of two of the officers the way they walk where they hold their hands the expression on their faces Telegraph's their basic attitudes without waiting for an explanation the police officers give orders in a hostile tone this simply magnifies an already difficult situation by bending their own hostility on the students the situation not only gets out of hand quickly but results in unnecessary violence to student and police alike the end result is not only that the police officers engage in violent flare-ups with the students but the general relationship between police and community has been damaged now let's watch the same situation handled quite differently the officers approach in a relaxed non-threatening come in now what seemed to be the problem their tone of voice is authoritative professionally but reasonable in situations involving large groups of people where there is present a great deal of built-in hostility it lies within the ability of the police officer to reduce that hostility or magnifying everything he says or does affects the outcome get the pastor tell you to block move anyway not to think you're the problem you staying out here because it's able to stand out here and block the interest of the school what is the legal you take this up again we want education to you to know what you have to do is get your group together not really give them [Applause] right now so you together yeah you've got to be organized in such a way that when you wanted to talk to them they listened to somebody gotta come in no but they're not interested in what you're doing out here is our problem once you come out here to police you lead a school you get locked up you stay to school you in each of these situations we have clearly seen how the attitudes and approaches of the police officer have had a decisive and vital affect only and reside in practical terms the management of attitudes by police officers can be summed up in a few points one an officer's private attitudes should not be permitted to influence his official decisions he must strive for a high degree of objectivity in his work in short he should not make judgments on the basis of his own ideas of right and wrong or his likes and dislikes - an officer should not become personally involved when making an arrest he must not look upon a violation as a personal affront it is a wrong against the state the people and not against him personally three nobody and nothing in the rules require an office - like the people he deals with similarly and more important nobody and nothing in the rules says he must dislike them however bear in mind that if people either see or believe that you dislike them your contact will always be more difficult and less effective remember the old proverb it is easier to catch flies with sugar than with vinegar 4 do not permit people to goad you into showing anger there is another old saying he who angers you conquers you 5 try to show an attitude of neutrality and objectivity let people see that there is nothing personal in what you are doing when your contact is of an adversary type you are acting officially and according to the rules an attitude of sympathy and human concern would of course be appropriate in a contact in which you are rendering a helpful service by showing that there is nothing personal in your actions in an adversary contact you will focus the hostility of the people on the system and not on you personally this will also help you avoid charges of brutality rudeness or lack of courtesy you