Hi all

I'm just bring up this topic because im curious to hear your views,especially you guys who are involved in the customer service industries, i want see if one can relate the police force to customer service.

I see the role of the police in society to be at times controversial. Due to the complex nature of their work and of some of the laws they must enforce (e.g., intervening in domestic disputes) means that constantly subject to public criticism. Just wondering;
- Who would you identify as their customers?
- Would there be any benefit in giving police officers as much training in - customer relations as airline counter staff receive?
- Should customer service skills be included in their training?
- Who would you identify as your local police station's principal internal and external customers? Internal and External

Interested to hear the responses
Cheers

There are many police forces that have created Customer Charters for the public that they 'serve and protect'. Having worked with one of the largest police forces globally on this exact issue, it was determined that their customers are the public that they are protecting. The victims, witnesses and individuals who may never come into contact with them. When these individuals become offenders of the law, they are then protected by a different set of rules and guidelines (their rights) - this becomes the 'charter' for these individuals.

I do believe police need training in 'customer service'. It is important to understand how to deal with both aggressive offenders and empathy for people on the street and victims. It calls on all levels of behavior and understanding that is difficult for many of us to achieve, much less to switch on and off.

Having a relationship with the community will assist police officers in their ability to serve and protect. People will be more forthcoming with information and less intimidated by the uniform. The lines of communication and trust form which, in theory will allow for more information and more efficiency.

In addition to the feedback from cchurchill, I would add:

Internal Customers: Chief of Police, Mayor, Peers, Coroners, etc.

Other enforcement agencies: federal, state, county, city

External customers: hospital staff, EMT staff, halfway house/rehab staff, school staff, courtroom staff (judges, bailiffs, court reporters, etc.

Personally, I feel that everyone needs and benefits from customer service training. Especially in our me-me-me-me-it's all about me society.

ksb

Great points, I just never really viewed it at that level, i guess i'm probably one of those me-me-me people. Thanks