Effective communication during major crises: a systematic literature review to identify best practices for police

ABSTRACT

Police are the frontline response to major crises (such as natural disasters and terrorism). One key element to the successful outcome of major crises is the effective communication by police to their fellow officers, command, and other emergency personnel to contain and control the situation. Yet, there is no current academic research examining the effective communication of police during major crises. This study conducted a systematic literature review on the effective communication by emergency personnel during major crises to identify lessons learned from other disciplines in order to identify best practice strategies for preparing police for major crises. Of the 11,352 initially identified publications, 45 were assessed as relevant for ‘environment’ and ‘communication’ criteria which resulted in a final list of 15 publications. The findings highlight two important factors for effective communication in such situations; decentralized communication structures and shared mental models. However, while the importance of these two factors is understood, actually achieving these factors is difficult. These findings have implications for policy and procedures in identifying best practice for preparing officers for the effective communication during major crises.

KEYWORDS:

• Police
• law enforcement
• crises
• crisis
• disaster

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. We excluded communication from officers to citizens and the media as this requires a different decision-making process and style of communication that is more censored and more carefully considered and constructed.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kelly A. Hine

Kelly A. Hine is a lecturer of Criminology in the Centre for Social Research and Methods (CSRM) at the Australian National University (ANU). She attained a double degree in Psychological Science, and Criminology and Criminal Justice (with Honours class 1), and holds a PhD in Criminology. She specialises in front-line policing including police-citizen interactions, the use of force by police, suspect resistance, officer injuries, decision-making processes and impediments, policing major crises, and the use of technology by police. Her research has implications for the way researchers examine policing practices, the way officers are educated and trained, and the policies and procedures that guide officers.

Adelaide Bragias

Adelaide Bragias is a research officer of criminology in the Centre for Social Research and Methods (SCRM) at the Australian National University. Her research interests are policing major crises and the use of technology by police.