The role of respect
Respect is an important factor in ensuring that law enforcement is implemented. Respect has a big role in supervisory roles as well as in resolution of domestic violence situations. In supervisory roles, respect is important in creating a good working relationship between leaders and their juniors. Supervisors interact with their subjects in different ways. Respect between the two parties can make these interactions to be fruitful in curbing crime.
Supervisors must adopt frontline styles of supervision; this is where they lead their subjects by showing a good example. Respect plays a significant role because when the leader respects the juniors, they are motivated to work. Innovative supervisors use their ability to form good working relationships with their subjects. To establish such a working relationship, supervisors must value their subjects by respecting them and believing in their ability to perform efficiently. Other supervisors use supportive approaches to lead their subjects. This is by helping their junior do the right thing. Finally, others are active supervisors where they work closely with their subjects. Therefore, regardless of the approach of supervision a supervisor uses, respect is important to develop a good working rapport with his subjects.
When dealing with domestic violence cases, respect is important to promote discreetness especially for the victims. The police must interact with the victims of domestic violence in a manner that they would feel respected. The victims’ self esteem is in most cases low. Therefore, treating respectfully helps them significantly. The professionalism needed when working on cases of domestic violence requires high levels of respect between the police themselves, with victims and the perpetrators. The processes of screening victims and the police themselves must be done in a respectful manner.
The authors rightfully point out that the relationship between supervisors and their juniors and that of police and domestic violence victims determine the outcome of the work they perform and their behavior. However, the assertion that efficiency can be enhanced by increasing the levels of supervision is not a realistic analysis. This is because police officers can only perform better if the supervisors use an approach that would make the police feel part of the team and appreciated. The level of supervision has no impact on their behavior at all.
References
Buzawa, E. S., & Buzawa, C. G. (2002). Domestic Violence: The Criminal Justice Response (3, revised ed.). New York: SAGE.
Engel, R. S. (2001). Supervisory styles of Patrol Sergeants and Lieutenants. Journal of Criminal Justice , 29 (4), 341-355.
