Book excerpt: This book is intended for police officers who want to improve their communication skills in the context of implementing the goals and objectives of community policing. The first chapter discusses basic communication principles that explain how a message is sent and received. It examines the content and relational message components, communication context, verbal and nonverbal codes, channel, and feedback. Chapter 2 is designed to improve an officer's interpersonal communication, as community policing increases the number of interactions between an officer and the community. Chapter 3 considers the dynamics of work groups. Step-by-step instructions are provided for planning and leading a small, task-oriented group meeting. Chapter 4 focuses on public speaking, as it teaches officers how to prepare and deliver a talk before a group; and Chapter 5 instructs officers in how to prepare for and lead a community meeting. Topics cover selecting a presentation format, planning the details of your meeting, and dealing with a hostile audience. Remaining chapters focus on creative problem-solving techniques, ways to convince others to support a creative solution and become involved in an action plan for change, and ways to publicize a program through the media and other means.