PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The following article, published by 'Law Officer,' indicates that the decision by Wicklander- Zulawski to stop training detectives in The Reid Technique because of the risk of false confessions "has shaken the profession." This is not about a passing controversy that can be contained by a damage control press release issued by Reid and Associates - but is rather about a powerful police tool far too open to abuse and wrongful convictions, which has been in use since 1984. All the more reason for media to exercise their watchdog function by reporting on local police forces and police commissions (and prosecution agencies) to see if they intend to continue using the much-maligned approach - and whether they are exploring less-confrontational (and thereby less risky) interrogations methods. (And judges in trial and appeal courts - and jurors - should be extra vigilant when statements taken through application of the Reid method are introduced into their courtrooms.)
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;
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STORY: "The Reid Technique Is Under Attack For Eliciting False Confessions," published by 'Law Officer. ('Law Officer' describes itself as: (T)
ARTICLE: "The Reid Technique Is Under Attack For Eliciting False Confessions," published by 'Law Officer' on March 11, 2017.
GIST: "The Reid Technique, long considered to be the “go to” training for detectives is in a battle for their reputation and name after Wicklander-Zulawski and Associates, a consulting group that has worked with law enforcement for decades, said that it will stop training detectives in the Reid Technique, which has been taught since 1984. “Confrontation is not an effective way of getting truthful information,” said Shane Sturman, the company’s president and CEO. “This was a big move for us, but it’s a decision that’s been coming for quite some time. More and more of our law enforcement clients have asked us to remove it from their training based on all the academic research showing other interrogation styles to be much less risky.” While the Reid Technique has been the enemy of defense attorneys for some time, this admission by such a large player in law enforcement has shaken the profession." Over the past 50 years, several hundred thousand law enforcement officers have taken the course. It is regarded by the law enforcement community as the gold standard in interviewing and interrogating suspects in criminal investigations and Reid has responded. We have placed their comments below..."
The entire article can be found at:
http://lawofficer.com/investigations/the-reid-technique-is-under-attack-for-eliciting-false-confessions/
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/
