Enhanced Listening Skills

Hours: 6
Tuition: $125

The profession of law enforcement necessitates effective communication skills.  Regardless if you’re out on the street, conducting an interview, in dispatch or you are command staff this program is designed to enhance your listening skills.

When situations become tense, stress levels increase, and effective communication becomes essential, i.e. a person barricades himself, takes a hostage, seriously or fatally wounds someone, threatens suicide, calls the police for help, or is the subject of interrogation, all require effective communication on the part of law enforcement personnel.  The most important aspect of communication is listening and when listening is effective, it increases the chance of a successful resolution to a problematic situation.

Often people are so busy trying to make sure that others hear what they say that they actually forget to listen.  When we actively listen to people-not just hear them-they will tell us everything we need to know to increase our chances of making good decisions.  When we make good decisions, we become better negotiators and better helpers.

Active listening is a structured way of listening and responding to another person that focuses the attention on the speaker and improves mutual understanding.  With improved mutual understanding comes an increased chance of a successful resolution to a conflict. 

This 6-hour program is aimed at enhancing listening skills of personnel from all areas of law enforcement.  The practical aspects of listening and communicating in the stressful situations faced by law enforcement personnel will be addressed and review of real-life scenarios and role-playing exercises will be included. 

Instructor: 

Dr. Wendy Blank is currently the Chief of Mental Health and Psychiatric Services for both the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and is also the head of the statewide hostage negotiation  team for both agencies.  She holds a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology and a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology.

**Cancellations for this class must be received by SLEA 35 days prior to the start of the program in order to avoid being billed!**

back to top of page