Suspects and Witnesses

Interviewing SUSPECTS

  • Suspect interviews offer the greatest challenge for the security officer. Suspects can range from uncooperative to totally cooperative with many increments in between.
  • Interviews require the utmost control by the officer to avoid the suspect taking control of the interview or providing worthless information not relevant to the questions being asked.
  • Avoid questions with an open answer. These questions usually have the words, “is it possible”, “What do you think”, or “Could it be that”. These questions are not specific and anything is possible.
  • Ask questions that are specific and direct. These questions require a yes or no answer. Suspects are the last to be interviewed as the officer needs to know as much about the case prior to talking with the suspect. Information can help overcome a suspect’s answer to a question the officer already knows to be true.
  • If possible, record the interview for accuracy and will prevent the suspect from changing information at a later date.
  • Make no deals with the suspect as this can be used against the officer by the suspect claiming he provided information based on an agreement not based on the truth.

 

Interviewing Considerations

  • The interview location must be private and free from distractions.
  • Information must be kept confidential, shared only with those that have a need to know.
  • Interviewer must be professional at all times, treating all people with dignity and respect regardless of their relationship to the case at hand.
  • If possible, record the interviews. Recording devices should already be in the interview room so as not to create a surprise to the person being interviewed.
  • Keep the number of persons conducting the interview to the very minimum. One or two interviewers at the most.
  • Attempt to schedule interviews at the convenience of the person being interviewed. This is appreciated by them and can have some positive effects on their cooperation.
  • The officer needs to dress in professional attire or if in uniform, it must present a positive image.

 

Interviewing WITNESSES

  • Determine if the witness is related or friends with any involved parties. A relationship with any party can result in bias information of support for one party over the other.
  • Interview witnesses as soon as possible to obtain fresh information and hopefully before witness can be influenced by involved parties.
  • Some witnesses may not want to become involved based on having to testify in court or being subject to some form of retaliation.
  • The security officer may have to explain the criminal justice process the witness may face. This requires knowledge of the system to be informative and correct in the information they provide.

 

Interviewing INFORMANTS

  • Informants are usually the least resistive persons with information as they usually come forward and identify themselves.
  • Informants can provide information that is biased or prejudiced and verification of information is very important.
  • Consider the motive for an informant to provide info. Often it is for reward, praise, dislike of suspect or perhaps just being a good citizen.
  • Informant’s information can often be considered “hearsay” or “rumors” and should be verified as to the validity or actual truth before proceeding on this information.