Police Order on Ethical Interrogation Techniques
Question
First, make any edits necessary based on the feedback from your instructor.
Amend the general order to include caution, techniques, and skills authorized for use in obtaining statements from special populations (e.g., children, elderly, and the mentally challenged).
What special training, demeanor, and other conditions should be considered by the police department interviewers?
Do not forget about proposing possible themes on how to approach certain populations when seeking their information.
Read the literature, and do some scholarly research to develop your addendum to the earlier general order.
Your assignment should be submitted as a memorandum from the chief of police to the entire department as a supplement to the original general order. Your memorandum should include sections for the following special populations (at a minimum):
Children
The elderly
The mentally challenged
The high performer might also suggest other special populations to consider, if any.


Solution
Memo
To: Chief of Police
From:
Date:
Subject: Police Order on
Ethical Interrogation Techniques
The order addresses the issues involving
detectives’ interrogation techniques in the police department. Moreover, it
will enhance the media’s understanding of the ethical operating procedures in
the interrogation process. We would like to inform the media how the detectives
conduct interrogations and interviews. We would explore the Miranda warnings,
how the detectives take notes, use video and audio equipment, develop plans and
acquire knowledge of the incidents and suspects.
The Miranda warning is the information that
detectives or officers avail to suspects. It highlights how the suspect has the
right to remain silent, and anything they communicate can be used in a court of
law (Dixon 430). Also, suspects are asked to seek the services of a lawyer in
the interrogation process. If one cannot afford the services of a lawyer, he is
given one to represent him or her at the time of interviewing. Therefore.
Detectives or law officers need to read Miranda warnings to suspects because
they have a right to it.
Also, note-taking is crucial in acquiring the
main aspects of the suspect’s behavior during a response. Notes that entail a
suspect’s responses should not be recorded because only answers are accompanied
by crucial behavior symptoms (Karppi 2). In addition, future interview
references should highlight the suspect’s non-verbal and verbal responses,
especially the cases that entail multiple suspects.
Furthermore, video and audio equipment are
essential in the interrogation process because it enables detectives to record
evidence presented by suspects, effectively used in testimonies and court cases
(Luke 266). However, the recording must be accompanied by the Miranda warning,
express accuracy, and display intact voices and unaltered information. Also,
oral responses are not acceptable in court unless an electronic recording is
developed, and the audio or videotape should be kept until the adjudication of
a case.
Nevertheless, detectives develop plans to help
them in the interrogation process (Dixon 432). Before an interview or
interrogation occurs, the detective should create an interrogation plan to
effectively look at the suspect’s profile, previous interrogations, criminal
records and realize the offense aspects required or approved according to law.
Ultimately, detectives should have first-hand
information on the suspect and relevant incidents before interrogation
commences. This will enhance effective questioning and responses depending on
elements highlighted from an offense or crime. The detectives have an ethical
obligation to know the suspects and the relevant incidents they are involved
with from previous records.
During the interviews, there is a likelihood
that the officers will interact with people of special disabilities, the old
and even children. Therefore, when interviewing special populations, they
should remember that they are not always aware of their surroundings and thus
may be more susceptible to coercion. To avoid coercive techniques, officers
must be respectful, patient and understanding. Additionally, officers must use proper oral communication
skills when obtaining statements from special populations. Such skills include
active listening asking questions.
There are some special training and conditions
that the police unit is supposed to consider in interviews. The police department
interviewers should receive training in the following areas:
Interviewing skills and techniques include asking open-ended
questions, clarifying responses, and summarizing.
·
Verbal and nonverbal communication.
·
Legal issues surround custodial and noncustodial interrogations.
·
Ethical issues surrounding custodial and noncustodial
interrogations.
The interviewers should also consider their
demeanor when interviewing suspects. They should remain calm and professional
at all times during the interview. They should remember that they are under
observation by the suspect; therefore, they should keep their composure even if
they become angry or frustrated with the suspect’s answers during the interview
process.
Moreover, some special themes would be
essential when dealing with some populations like children, the elderly, and
the mentally challenged. First, they should ensure that the elderly and
children are well prepared for questioning. For example, ask short questions
and give time for a response before asking another question. For the children,
it would be noble to explain to the child what is happening, why it is
happening, and what will happen after the interview (Dixon, 435). Lastly, it is
also significant to be patient with mentally challenged individuals as they may
take longer to respond to questions than others.
Works Cited
Dixon, David. “Questioning
suspects: A comparative perspective.” Journal
of Contemporary Criminal Justice 26.4 (2010): 426-440. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1043986210377107
Karppi, Tero. “The computer
said so”: On the ethics, effectiveness, and cultural techniques of predictive
policing.” Social media+ society 4.2
(2018): 2056305118768296. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2056305118768296
Luke, Timothy J., and
Fabiana Alceste. “The mechanisms of minimization: How interrogation tactics
suggest lenient sentencing through pragmatic implication.” Law and Human Behavior 44.4 (2020):
266. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-45076-001




About Author
Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Essay Writers!
We have subject matter experts ready 24/7 to tackle your specific tasks and deliver them ON TIME, ready to hand in. Our writers have advanced degrees, and they know exactly what’s required to get you the best possible grade.
Find the right expert among 500+
We hire Gradewriters writers from different fields, thoroughly check their credentials, and put them through trials.
View all writers