How to Conduct a Field Interview
Overview
The job of a police officer is not just learning from experience, but also following your intuition. Many times a situation will require a field interview, which is the immediate, on the spot questioning of a witness or possible suspect in a semi-informal session. The goal is to acquire as much fresh information as possible, with a successful field interview leading to an arrest or directional change in the investigation. Field interviews may pose a significant danger since they take the focus off the surroundings and onto the subject.
Step 1
Follow your department's field interview protocol. Watch the streets for individuals matching your department's profiling protocols for stopping potential suspects. Ask suspicious individuals to stop what they are doing and show you ID.
Step 2
Be respectful at all times when questioning a subject. Do not make unfounded accusations. Never come right out and tell the subject your suspicions.
Step 3
Ask your questions in a way that will lead a guilty suspect to slip up and confirm your suspicions. Once the suspect has confessed to wrongdoing then you will have reason to further investigate.
Step 4
Remember that a suspect is not required to answer your questions. Stay civil and calm. Pay attention to the mannerisms and body language of the suspect as well as the words and phrasing that they choose to use throughout your conversation.
Step 5
Stay on point throughout your questioning of the suspect. Do not stray from the topic of your concerns. Clarify the situation, return the suspect's ID and let them be on their way as soon as possible unless you are going to detain them for further investigation due to probable cause.
Warnings
Violating a suspect's civil rights leaves you open to administrative, civil and criminal penalties.
Always be aware of your surroundings. The suspect, their companions and other individuals on the streets pose a danger to the police officer who is not paying attention. Call for back up if there is a situation that seems to be uncontrollable.
Reference
Georgia State DCA; S.O.P. 9-4 Field Interviews and Pat-Down Searches
The job of a police officer is not just learning from experience, but also following your intuition. Many times a situation will require a field interview, which is the immediate, on the spot questioning of a witness or possible suspect in a semi-informal session. The goal is to acquire as much fresh information as possible, with a successful field interview leading to an arrest or directional change in the investigation. Field interviews may pose a significant danger since they take the focus off the surroundings and onto the subject.
Step 1
Follow your department's field interview protocol. Watch the streets for individuals matching your department's profiling protocols for stopping potential suspects. Ask suspicious individuals to stop what they are doing and show you ID.
Step 2
Be respectful at all times when questioning a subject. Do not make unfounded accusations. Never come right out and tell the subject your suspicions.
Step 3
Ask your questions in a way that will lead a guilty suspect to slip up and confirm your suspicions. Once the suspect has confessed to wrongdoing then you will have reason to further investigate.
Step 4
Remember that a suspect is not required to answer your questions. Stay civil and calm. Pay attention to the mannerisms and body language of the suspect as well as the words and phrasing that they choose to use throughout your conversation.
Step 5
Stay on point throughout your questioning of the suspect. Do not stray from the topic of your concerns. Clarify the situation, return the suspect's ID and let them be on their way as soon as possible unless you are going to detain them for further investigation due to probable cause.
Warnings
Violating a suspect's civil rights leaves you open to administrative, civil and criminal penalties.
Always be aware of your surroundings. The suspect, their companions and other individuals on the streets pose a danger to the police officer who is not paying attention. Call for back up if there is a situation that seems to be uncontrollable.
Reference
Georgia State DCA; S.O.P. 9-4 Field Interviews and Pat-Down Searches
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