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Let’s Return to Embracing the Soft Skills as Criminal Justice Professionals

US$27 Regular Price

US$0 GIFR Member Price


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CE Credits: 0 Credits
Length: 2 Hours
Level: Introductory
CE Eligibility: Not eligible for CE credits
Training Style: Video
Category: Officer Training Series
Intended Audience: Police Officers, First Responders, Correctional Professionals

Training Description
As criminal justice professionals, we place a great deal of emphasis on the “hard skills,” which are quantifiable, measurable, task-specific skills needed to perform the basic responsibilities of the job such as defensive tactics, critical incident response techniques, and threat analysis. The “hard skills” require specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that can be measured through a multitude of quantifiable assessments. However, of equal importance are the “soft skills.” Unfortunately, soft skills are largely lacking and overlooked within the criminal justice profession, particularly within law enforcement and corrections. Soft skills encompass personal characteristics such as interpersonal communication skills and personality traits. They are the intangible skills, which are challenging to quantify and measure. Soft skills are not intended to replace or mitigate the value of hard skills, but rather to enhance and improve the quality and performance of our job responsibilities and duties. They provide the balance that we want to see in our criminal justice professionals and have been shown to assist with conflict resolution.
Trainer Biography
Dr. Michael Pittaro is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice with American Military University and an adjunct professor of criminal justice with East Stroudsburg University and Northampton Community College. Before pursuing a career in higher education, Dr. Pittaro worked in corrections administration; has served as the Executive Director of an outpatient drug and alcohol facility; and as Executive Director of a drug and alcohol prevention agency. He has been teaching for the past 18 years while also serving internationally as an author, editor, and subject matter expert. Dr. Pittaro holds a BS in Criminal Justice (Who’s Who Among University Students – 1989); an MPA in Public Administration (Summa Cum Laude); and a PhD in criminal justice (Summa Cum Laude). He is a single father who resides in Nazareth, Pennsylvania with his two sons (Dakota and Darrian).
He can be reached at: [email protected]
Learning Objectives
At the end of this training you will be able to…
    1. Differentiate between hard skills and soft skills
    2. Explain the advantages of soft skills for criminal justice professionals
    3. Describe Emotional Intelligence
    4. Apply soft skills to improve job performance
    5. Create a workable plan for the “work / life” balance dichotomy
    6. Understand how the soft skills can reduce unnecessary physical force complaints

1 Sponsorship: The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc is approved by the American Psychological Association, National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, and Canadian Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education trainings. Global Institute of Forensic Research (GIFR) has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education provider, ACEP No. 6711. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. GIFR is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. The American Nurses Credentialing Center accepts Continuing Education Credit sponsored by the American Psychological Association. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc (provider #1371) is also approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ACE provider approval period: 6/8/2022-6/8/2025. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.
2 Refund/Cancellation Policy: If you wish to request a refund on account of technical difficulties, please contact [email protected].
3 Commercial Supports: The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc reports no conflicts of interest in the development and sponsorship of this training. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc receives no commercial support for its Continuing Education programs or from its presenters.

Note 1: The CPA's approval of an individual, group, or organization as a CE Sponsor or Provider is restricted to the activities described in the approved application or annual report form. The CPA's approval does not extend to any other CE activity the Sponsor or Provider might offer. In granting its approval, the CPA assumes no legal or financial obligations to Sponsors, Providers, or to those individuals who might participate in a Sponsor or Provider's CE activities or programs. Further, responsibility for the content, provision, and delivery of any CE activity approved by the CPA remains that of the CE Sponsor or Provider. The CPA disclaims all legal liability associated with the content, provision, and delivery of the approved CE activity.

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