NCJ Number
69505
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS POLICE TRAINING FILM REVIEWS THE BASIC STEPS FOR A POLICE OFFICER WHEN INTERVIEWING WITNESSES AND OTHER RELEVANT PERSONS DURING INVESTIGATIONS.
Abstract
THE FIRST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN INTERVIEWING IS THE TIMING. THE INTERVIEW SHOULD BE HELD AS SOON AFTER THE INCIDENT AS POSSIBLE. THE OFFICER SHOULD ALSO GET THE PERSON MENTALLY PREPARED FOR THE INTERVIEW. THE SETTING SHOULD BE FAMILIAR, COMFORTABLE, PRIVATE, AND WITHOUT DISTRACTION. THE INTERVIEWER SHOULD BE PREPARED BY LEARNING ABOUT THE SUBJECT BEFORE THE INTERVIEW. BARRIERS SUCH AS DESKS SHOULD BE ELIMINATED. THE INTERVIEWER SHOULD DEVELOP RAPPORT WITH SUBJECTS BY NOT LOOKING OR TALKING DOWN TO THEM AND BY MAINTAINING THE PROPER ATTITUDE AND INTEREST. THE INTERVIEWER SHOULD ALSO MOTIVATE THE SUBJECT AND KEEP THE SUBJECT TALKING TO ELMINATE THE BARRIER OF FEAR. THIS CAN BE DONE BY ASKING OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS AND AVOIDING YES-NO AND LEADING QUESTIONS. THE INTERVIEWER SHOULD DEVELOP AN INDIVIDUAL STYLE, BUT THE BASICS SHOULD BE THE SAME FOR ALL INTERVIEWS. THE INTERVIEW SHOULD NOT END ABRUPTLY, AND THE OFFICER SHOULD LET SUBJECTS KNOW THAT THEIR HELP IS APPRECIATED. AN INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE IS INCLUDED.