(AMB 4166) Interviewing for LEO's

Question 1

AMB 4166

What are the two basic types of interviews that law enforcement officers use?

Answer 1

1. ) Field Interview

2. ) Formal Interview

Question 2

AMB 4166

Field Interview are typically thought of as what type of interview?

Answer 2

Spontaneous

Ex. On the street, at a residence, or at a car

Question 3

AMB 4166

What is the definition of a “Formal Interview”?

Answer 3

Formal interviews are those interviews which are planned in advance by the law enforcement officer.

Question 4

AMB 4166

Define “Interview”.

Answer 4

A controlled conversation for the purpose of obtaining accurate information.

Question 5

AMB 4166

Define “Interrogation”.

Answer 5

A demand for information, or information sought, from an unwilling person.

Question 6

AMB 4166

Define “Statement”.

Answer 6

Verbal or written accounting of an event.

Question 7

AMB 4166

Define “Admission”.

Answer 7

Voluntary statement acknowledging involvement.

Question 8

AMB 4166

Define “Confession”.

Answer 8

Voluntary statement admitting guilt.

Question 9

AMB 4166

For a Friendly Witness/Victim how should you setup the interview?

Answer 9

At a TIME & PLACE that is convenient to them. Their house possibly.

(THEIRS/NEUTRAL)

Question 10

AMB 4166

For a Hostile Witness/Victim how should you setup the interview?

Answer 10

At a neutral site, government office, or interview room.

(OURS)

*Interviewing hostile witnesses in an official setting (“ours”) allows the officer to have the psychological advantage. In addition, interruptions and distractions can be better controlled.

(OURS/NEUTRAL)

Question 11

AMB 4166

For a Suspect how should you setup the interview?

Answer 11

1. ) In a government office, or interview room.

2. ) interview them last (after victims and witnesses)

Question 12

AMB 4166

When conducting interviews what is one thing an officers should always be aware of and eliminate?

Answer 12

Barriers such as desks, crossed arms/legs, personal items, etc.

Question 13

AMB 4166

When conducting a field interview what are some important rules to follow during the interview?

Answer 13

1. ) Separate & Turn the witness/victim/suspect away from the scene.
2. ) for hostile victims or suspects face them so they can not see each other.
3. ) Always have the officers within view of each other.

Question 14

AMB 4166

Identify the appropriate control measures to ensure scene safety and integrity.

Answer 14

1. ) Determine the Background of the crime
2. ) Determine the OBJECTIVE or PURPOSE for the interview.

3.) Determine potential for Miranda.
(Cops, Custody, and Questions)

Question 15

AMB 4166

What is the correct order to interview people involved in a crime?

Answer 15

1st: Victims
2nd: All Witnesses
3rd: Suspects

Question 16

AMB 4166

Identify the 5 steps of the Law Enforcement Interview.

Answer 16

1. ) Introduction
2. ) Rapport
3. ) Questions
4. ) Summary
5. ) Close

Question 17

AMB 4166

Whenever possible, how many officers should be used to conduct an interview?

Answer 17

2 officers

Question 18

AMB 4166

Explain the role of the “Contact Officer” during an interview.

Answer 18

Contact Officer:

1. ) Primary point of contact during the interview
2. ) Establishes control of the interview
3. ) Is primarily responsible for OBSERVING the interviewee during the interview.

Question 19

AMB 4166

During the “Introduction” portion of the interview, what should be stated to the victim/witness?

Answer 19

1. ) Introduction(s)

2. ) State the purpose

Question 20

AMB 4166

During the “Questions” portion of the interview, what is the most important thing the officer should not do?

Answer 20

never INTERRUPT the interviewee!

Question 21

AMB 4166

What is the purpose of the “Summary” portion of an interview?

Answer 21

1. ) Verify the information

2. ) Clarify any questions the officer has

Question 22

AMB 4166

Explain the role of the “Cover Officer” during an interview.

Answer 22

1. ) Assumes the passive role during the interview
2. ) Unobtrusively observes interviewee
3. ) Maintains scene security
4. ) handle all radio traffic

Question 23

AMB 4166

The contact officer and cover officer should never what when in an interview?

Answer 23

never interrupt each other.

Question 24

AMB 4166

What are the types of questions an officer should avoid asking during an interview?

Answer 24

1. ) Leading ?’s
2. ) Negative ?’s
3. ) Compound ?’s
4. ) Complex ?’s

Question 25

AMB 4166

What is the definition of a “Leading Question”?

Answer 25

They are questions which suggest an answer.

Question 26

AMB 4166

What is the definition of a “Negative Question”?

Answer 26

They are questions that suggest the answer is “No”.

Question 27

AMB 4166

What is the definition of a “Compound Question”?

Answer 27

More than one question that has been asked at a time.

*This includes “Either/Or” questions.

Question 28

AMB 4166

What is the definition of a “Complex Question”?

Answer 28

A question that is too difficult to understand, either because of vocabulary or sentence structure.

Question 29

AMB 4166

During the “Free Narrative” what type of questions should an officer use?

Answer 29

Open-ended ?’s

Question 30

AMB 4166

During the “Direct Examination” what type of a questions should an officer use?

Answer 30

1. ) Closed-ended ?’s
2. ) Specific ?’s

*This is designed to answer WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, and HOW

Question 31

AMB 4166

What is the “Cross-examination” useful for?

Answer 31

it is useful when the information received is inconsistent or contradictory.

*Avoid the 3rd degree. Don’t be antagonistic, argumentative, belligerent or threatening.

Question 32

AMB 4166

Name some of the habits that happen when an interviewee is lying

Answer 32

1. ) Attempts to evade
2. ) Vagueness
3. ) Conflicts with other statements or evidence
4. ) Inconsistencies within the statement
5. ) Falsehoods
6. ) Suspicious actions
7. ) Missing information

Question 33

AMB 4166

When trying to elicit information from a reluctant individual an officer must remember what?

Answer 33

Be FLEXIBLE in your approach and the techniques you use.

*Keep in mind: a reluctant or hostile witness or suspect will not give up information to an officer he/she does not like or respect.

Question 34

AMB 4166

During an victim/witness interview, one of the goals of the officer is to relieve the victim’s _______ and ________?

Answer 34

Stress and Anxiety

Question 35

AMB 4166

During a suspect interview, one of the goals of the officer is to create _______?

Answer 35

Stress for the suspect.

*Often the suspect has prepared and rehearsed for this interview, and by creating stress can possibly throw the suspect off guard and break their story down to the truth.

Question 36

AMB 4166

Name a tactic that an officer can use during the interview to confuse the suspect and throw them off guard.

Answer 36

The officer can try to build a Friendly Rapport.

Question 37

AMB 4166

When does the officer deliver his monolog to the suspect.

Answer 37

During the “Questing” portion of the suspect’s interview.

Question 38

AMB 4166

If the suspect gets defensive or deceptive during the officer’s monolog, what must the officer do?

Answer 38

STOP the suspect’s actions immediately and retain the control of the interview.

Question 39

AMB 4166

Once an officer is finished presenting the evidence, he should immediately present a theme of _____,_____, and _____ that lessens the suspect’s moral responsibility for the crime.

Answer 39

Rationalization, Projection, and Minimization (RPM)

*This theme represents the suspect’s lifeline - a way to be seen as a good person despite bad or undesirable actions.

Question 40

AMB 4166

When the officer feels that a suspect is ready to make an admission, the officer can then invite the suspect to make the admission by posing a _____.

Answer 40

Choice question

*Choice questions are usually asked by emphasizing the desired choice by repeating the it in multiple ways.

(Ex: “Did you need the money to pay for drugs, or did you need it to pay your bills? I don’t think you’re on drugs. You’re not on drugs are you? This wasn’t for drugs, was it?”)

Question 41

AMB 4166

Describe the proper order of giving a suspect interview.

Answer 41

1. ) Introduction
2. ) Rapport
3. ) Questing
   
   • Present the case
   • Overcome Resistance
   • Present Themes
   • Present a Coice Question - Get Admission
   • Move from Admission to Confession
   • Obtain a Written Statement
4. ) Summary
5. ) Close

Question 42

AMB 4166

What are some Common Mistakes officers make while giving a suspect interview.

Answer 42

1. ) Allowing the suspect into the the monologue
2. ) Failure to stop direct denials
3. ) Wrong Theme / RPM
4. ) Choice question presented to early
5. ) Displaying lack of conviction in your evidence & suspects guilt.