Psychological foundations of communication in operational and investigative activities of law enforcement agencies

Abstract

Relevance. Investigative work involves creating contact between representatives of law enforcement agencies and persons of interest. It builds extremely complex system based on functional and psychological actions. This complexity embraces constant changes in society, which makes the study relevant. The shift in the mind-set of criminal offenders changes attitude of law enforcement agencies in carrying out investigative actions.Purpose. The aim of the paper was to establish the psychological approaches, which would enable effective communication between the criminal subject and the representative of the law enforcement authority.Methodology. The authors used the method of analysis and synthesis, comparison, deduction, formal and legal method and generalisation method. They concluded that a law enforcement officer faces a number of problems and challenges that require a high level of psychological skill development when carrying out investigative activities.Results. The researchers confirmed that the successful work of a law enforcement official directly depends on the integrity of the socio-psychological and physiological profile. The enforcement officers seek high motivation to achieve the desired outcome, self-confidence, positive self-esteem, strive for self-development, self-determination and high degree of adaptation to external factors and stimuli. The authors determined that communication with potential perpetrators requires special approaches on the part of law enforcement officials, notably psychological tools to obtain the necessary information and to establish a quality contact.Conclusions. The results obtained during the work can be applicable to develop training materials for law enforcement officers to raise their skills, as well as for further scientific research on the topic.