What percentage of an officer's duties involve verbal skills, according to TCOLE?

Verbal skills play a crucial role in law enforcement, and according to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), studies indicate that a significant portion of an officer's duties—specifically 97%—is related to effective communication. This includes using verbal skills for inquiries, conflict resolution, providing assistance, de-escalating situations, and interacting with the public. Proficient communication fosters positive community relations and can greatly influence the outcomes of various encounters officers have in their daily work. The emphasis on this high percentage underscores the importance of training officers in communication techniques to handle diverse situations effectively, making it critical knowledge for anyone involved in law enforcement or studying its practices.