Skills of Forensic Psychologists - Coursework Example

Skills of Forensic Psychologists In the maintenance of law, the implementing ities such as the police at times find themselves unable to solve some issues due to complications arising from the complexity of the human brain. The brain is what controls the body, thus the person, and overall society. As such, understanding processes of the mind is now emerging as an important tool when it comes to executing legal matters. That is where forensic psychology comes in. It is simply the correlation between legal matters and psychology.

In the following study text, the importance and impact of forensic psychology to police professionals will be evaluated upon, in addition to how these apply in real life. People with disabilities, whether suspected of breaching the law, victims of crime, or witnesses, remains protected by the law and are entitled to full rights. As such, they should not be discriminated because of their conditions, which make them experience difficulties in understanding the law or defending themselves in court (Leggett, Goodman, & Dinani, 2007).

Because of these, the police should be trained to be able to effectively communicate to, and manage such people. The other importance of psychological skills being cultivated in the police is that they can make fast analyses of arrested persons and from that determine the best way of handling them as they await legal action by the court. From these, post-arrest, injuries would reduce, and there would be raised cooperation between the arrested persons and the police (Philips & Varano, 2008). The third importance of forensic psychology knowledge to police officers is that it can help them in making informed decisions before stopping a citizen, or initiating police-citizen interaction.

The skill would enable a police professional to come up with sufficient reasons for ordering a person to stop, and from it, avoid the inconveniences which may arise from making wrong uninformed decisions (Alpert, et al., 2006). The final skill that forensic psychologists can equip police professionals with is the ability to make ethical decisions. This is because the police find themselves in ethical conflicts owing to their placement in between the law, and citizens. Forensic skills would enable these professionals to make the right decisions which in most cases in life, are quite hard to determine or implement (Schafer, 2002).

Mind and mental decision-making skills help define one’s character, thus their decisions when it comes to choosing between right and wrong. Collectively, the above revelations suggest that if forensic psychologists worked more closely with the police, more effectiveness would be achieved in their execution of duties (Walker & Starmer, 1999). When dealing with disabled people, the police would be more patient and tolerant of any difficulties they may have in explaining or defending themselves.

For instance, a deaf person would be treated in manners that enable them to understand or express themselves through a mediator. In deciding when making a stop, an officer who is psychologically trained will be able to tell when a citizen can be arrested, or when it would be inappropriate. This would ensure that criminals are easily picked from within citizen masses, thus reduce arresting of innocent people. The other effectiveness that would be achieved is that after a suspect is arrested, the police would resist from overreacting for instance when the suspect seems to be resisting arrest.

Since this is an occurrence that most police encounter while on duty, devising better means of handling the arrested would ensure the suspects do not get hurt (Shipley & Arrigo, 2012). In addition, no police officer would be charged with assault. Finally, ethical decision making is a crucial skill which would enhance police operations. This would be effective, especially in reducing corruption-related crime. For instance, if a drug baron attempts to bribe a policeman to avert arrest, the officer would be in a position to shun the offer and proceed with the implementation of the law.

ReferencesAlpert, G., Dunham, R., Stroshine, M., Bennett, K. & MacDonald, J. (2006). “Police Officers’ Decision Making and Discretion: Forming Suspicion and Making a Stop.” U.S. Department of Justice.Leggett, J., Goodman, W. & Dinani, S. (2007, Aug. 30). “People with Learning Disabilities’ Experiences of being Interviewed by the Police.” Online Library.Wiley. (35), 3.Philips, S. & Varano, S. (2008). “Police Criminal Charging Decisions: An Examination of Post-Arrest Decision-Making.

” Journal of Criminal Justice. (36), 4.Schafer, J. (2002). “Making Ethical Decisions: A Practical Model.” FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.Shipley, S. L., & Arrigo, B. A. (2012). Introduction to forensic psychology: Court, law enforcement, and correctional practices. S.l.: Academic Press.Walker, C., & Starmer, K. (1999). Miscarriages of justice: A review of justice in error. London: Blackstone Press.