Police Officers’ Interrogation Expertise and Major Objectives in Police Service and Training: A Comprehensive Overview of the Literature

Abstract

Interrogation is a core task of practical police work. The outcomes of interrogation often provide crucial evidence for solving criminal cases. The success of interrogation depends on interactions between police officers and citizens. Based on a comprehensive literature overview, we propose a three-factor typology for interrogations by police officers. First, the competencies of police officers refer to the application of personal, professional, social, and methodological capabilities. The underlying concept of interrogation refers to the application of both explicit and implicit experience-based interrogation models. Communication refers to the goal-directed application of communication tactics and techniques. According to this typology, we discuss the major objectives of police interrogation in police service and training from police officers’ perspectives. The present study provides guidance for practical police services and training by offering an evidence-based interrogation standard.

Commentary: Problems With Police Reports as Data Sources: A Researchers' Perspective

“…Police reports are initially the outcome of behavioral observations, forensics, and interviews or interrogations conducted by the police officers themselves. Here, the competencies, work experience and even word choice of police officers performing investigative interviews and interrogations might affect the data collection, which forms the basis of the subsequent police reports (e.g., Loftus and Palmer, 1974 ; Loftus, 1975 ; Shaw and Porter, 2015 ; Thielgen et al, 2022 ). Secondly, the written product is predominantly a memory report with a time delay, at least to some extent.…”