How to Build Rapport with Anyone: 3 Powerful Law Enforcement Secrets!

If you work in law enforcement, you most likely know that one officer that’s a smooth operator. When interviewing subjects, they just know what to say, when to say it and like nothing the subjects willingly confesses. You have probably wonder how does this person do it. Well, it’s not a special ability but rather a skill they developed over time. Following our series on the 4 parts of the interview, let’s dive deeper and cover the first part—Introduction.

The Importance of Rapport in Law Enforcement

In the introduction, you establish the purpose of the interview, but the most important aspect is the creation of rapport. Rapport is defined as a relationship in which the people concerned understand each other feelings or perspective and communicate well. The reason that smooth officer is able to get the subject to confess is because they feel understood based on the rapport the officer established. Let’s look at a few ways we can create rapport.

Techniques for Building Rapport

Officer Presence: The First Impression

Starting off the list with a simple but often overlooked technique—officer presence. In the Force Continuum, this is the lowest level of police action, which is basically how you present yourself to the world. Let’s compare the following examples for effect: an officer with a wrinkle uniform, with pants too long, shirt with some stains or discolored, a few pounds overweight and his gear old and dirty; or, an officer that seems physically fit, with his uniform press and clean and his gear ready for action. The answer is obvious because the second officer’s presence says “I look capable and I am capable.” Start creating more rapport by ensuring your uniform, gear and your fitness level are above average.

The Art of Meaningful Compliments

The second technique is giving compliments. Have you ever noticed that you tend to like people that give you compliments? The reason is that compliments make us feel good and we associate that good feeling with the initiator of the compliment. Still, the key is to give meaningful compliments not just the superficial “you look nice today.” Meaningful compliments are praises about something the person feels proud of or praising the effort of an ongoing challenge. Say you observe the person wearing a pin or a tattoo about an organization: You could say “wow, I admire you for being part of that organization because it takes a lot of skills to be a member.” In a challenge, say you observe a person that is studying for a difficult exam, say “am sure that if you apply yourself, you will reach your goals.” They will feel understood and start lowering their defenses.

Establishing Shared Connections for Trust

The most powerful way to create rapport is through a shared connection. Taking from the example above, if the pin or the tattoo is of an organization that both of you belong that is instant rapport. Since you both shared the same trials or triumphs, it signals that you are the same so they can trust you. That is the reason why you can be a complete stranger in a foreign land but if you see someone with the hat or shirt of your home team, you have an instant connection and more likely to trust that person. Other obvious examples are military organizations, schools, or traumatic experiences. This is a powerful technique because you can influence them by pointing out they violate the principles or beliefs of the organization you shared by continuing to conceal or lie. More on this technique on later blogs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, establishing rapport is one of the most crucial aspects of the introduction. Check out the next blog where we will continue our series and cover the assessment phase. Plus, don’t forget to check out our store where you can find a very powerful tactical knife and many other tactical gear specially designed for the dedicated officers protecting our borders from illegal narcotics.