Communication skills taught might include how to permit persons to vent anger toward officers without the officer counterattacking, interview techniques, voice control, and how to calm a person. Each module should structure several proficiency levels for the skills taught. Possible proficiency levels are conceptual, which requires students to state the skills' purpose and circumstances in which it could be used; simple assisted performance, which requires students only to perform the skill; unassisted performance, which requires the handling of a routine call using appropriate communication skills; and advanced performance, which requires the use of a skill during an encounter having uncommon characteristics. Each model should use pass/fail competency testing. Training must use a behavioral modeling approach that describes, demonstrates, and practices the skills; provides feedback during practice; increases the skill level after the mastery of lower skill levels; and uses competition among officers to sharpen verbal skills. 9 references.