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Lynne Doucette

Sgt. Lynne D. Doucette is a patrol supervisor and defensive tactics trainer with the Brunswick (Maine) PD. Prior to being the first female promoted at BPD, she worked as an undercover detective assigned to the state narcotics task force.
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Patricia Teinert

Patricia F. Teinert is currently an investigator with the Texas Chief Disciplinary Counsel, an agency that administers attorney grievances. Teinert has been a deputy with the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable and officer with the Rosenberg and Stafford PDs.
Women in Law Enforcement
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December 01, 2009

Defusing Volatile People

Communication skill can bring a touchy situation to a peaceful end.

by Diana Drummey - Also by this author


Photo via Anie* (Flickr.com).

Women are good talkers and I believe are less likely to get involved in a physical fight.

I do believe we can calm a situation such as with children, persons who are despondent and possibly suicidal. Our voices are naturally at a lower tone and can be calming.

I had a female suicide subject on the bridge in the town I work in. She wanted to kill herself and actually showed me a list of why she was so upset. As a woman I was able to empathize with her and talk about some better ways of resolving the issue beyond killing herself.

It has been shown that men and women do well in all aspects of this job — SWAT, motor officers, negotiator, etc. During a physical fight with a larger person, men can definitely have a stronger position. Women can train to take on someone in a physical fight, but men more often than not are just physically stronger.

I also think as young boys they fight or get into physical confrontations more than girls tend to. Yes, I know that may sound like a stereotype, but sometimes it is true.

Tags: Mentally Ill Suspects, Verbal Communication

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