What Happens When Israeli Researchers Train U.S. Cops on Respectful Communication

At a time of budget cuts in the Israel Police, training police officers in the use of respectful communication skills might sound somewhat utopian. However, a new study demonstrates its importance, and not only for the image of the police. Researchers, led by Prof. David Weisburd, a Hebrew University of Jerusalem criminologist, conducted an intensive course for police officers in three cities in the United States (Houston, Tucson, and Cambridge, Massachusetts) based on a model known as “procedural justice.” Addressing the encounter between police and the citizenry, this concept focuses on making the interaction between them fair and dignified: Has the citizen been given the opportunity to voice his or her side, do the police show respect and project neutrality?