It will be important to see what role they will play, if any in the provision of services to conference participants. This is equally the case with community groups and other local representative bodies. I have come across a wealth of talented, intelligent, articulate innovative and intellectually sound officers in my 27 years of policing. This has not been rank specific and has pervaded all departments and policing areas. Police officers regularly have to deal with conflict and harm at the time or shortly after it has occurred.
Tempers are still frayed and the situation is still volatile and explosive.
Officers quickly learn to use good communication skills, tact and diplomacy to resolve such situations. They necessarily develop the ability to negotiate, reason and assist parties in resolving conflict through giving appropriate advice and offering solutions to the affected parties. Advocacy - which aims to speak on behalf of one party. Arbitration - facilitators do not prescribe solutions or options for agreement. There is a real danger of services using a process they call restorative justice when in fact it is a behavioural change program.