PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "People deserve to be treated fairly and humanely by police officers and should not fear having their rights trampled,” Dodd said in a statement. “My bill would ensure officers are properly trained and the public isn’t subjected to demeaning or coercive tactics that can result in false confessions.” The Reid Technique, one interview method that’s been used in law enforcement for the past 75 years, psychologically coerces subjects to admit to a crime by developing a high-pressure environment in the interrogation room. Over the past few years, law enforcement agencies across the world have denounced this method as largely ineffective and subject to false confessions. One 2006 analysis concluded that this method can accurately detect deception or guilt about 54 percent of the time."
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PASSAGE TWO OF THE DAY: (From the release): "In response to the highly publicized post-9/11 interrogation tactics the United States used on terrorist suspects, the Obama administration in 2009 began creating new standards for science-based interviewing and communication that have since been adopted by many police agencies. Senate Bill 494 would require the California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training to create and integrate officer training on interview techniques that are more ethical and effective at getting accurate information while avoiding false confessions. Further, it would require training to ensure everyday interactions with the public are civil. SB 494 is supported by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office and the civil rights advocates."
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GIST: "Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced a new piece of legislation on Thursday to push for more ethical interrogation practices in California law enforcement training.
If passed, Senate Bill 494 would require the California Commission on Police Officer Standards to integrate science-based methods to prevent false confessions.
“People deserve to be treated fairly and humanely by police officers and should not fear having their rights trampled,” Dodd said in a statement. “My bill would ensure officers are properly trained and the public isn’t subjected to demeaning or coercive tactics that can result in false confessions.”
The Reid Technique, one interview method that’s been used in law enforcement for the past 75 years, psychologically coerces subjects to admit to a crime by developing a high-pressure environment in the interrogation room. Over the past few years, law enforcement agencies across the world have denounced this method as largely ineffective and subject to false confessions.
One 2006 analysis concluded that this method can accurately detect deception or guilt about 54 percent of the time.
The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office and civil rights groups have drawn in support for the bill thus far. Vern Pierson, district attorney for El Dorado County, says law enforcement officers can better serve the community when they use ethical communication strategies backed by science.
“I am grateful to Sen. Dodd for sponsoring legislation that will improve the interaction between law enforcement and the people they serve and puts us on a path to a more thoughtful criminal justice system,” Pierson said."
The entire story can be read at:
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/05/21/sb494-police-interrogation-methods-ethical-practices-sen-bill-dodd/
“People deserve to be treated fairly and humanely by police officers and should not fear having their rights trampled,” said Sen. Dodd. “My bill will ensure officers are properly trained and the public isn’t subjected to demeaning or coercive tactics that can result in false confessions.”
Over the past 75 years, police have relied on a criminal interrogation strategy known as the Reid Technique, which relies heavily on assuming guilt, assessing behavioral clues of deception and administering psychological manipulation. However, studies have raised questions about the validity of the technique. A 2006 meta-analysis found the aptitude to correctly detect deception averaged only 54%.
In response to the highly publicized post-9/11 interrogation tactics the United States used on terrorist suspects, the Obama administration in 2009 began creating new standards for science-based interviewing and communication that have since been adopted by many police agencies.
Senate Bill 494 would require the California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training to create and integrate officer training on interview techniques that are more ethical and effective at getting accurate information while avoiding false confessions. Further, it would require training to ensure everyday interactions with the public are civil.
SB 494 is supported by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office and the civil rights advocates.
“Research has shown our law enforcement officers can better serve their communities when they are trained in science-based ethical human engagement strategies,” said Vern Pierson, El Dorado County district attorney. “I am grateful to Sen. Dodd for sponsoring legislation that will improve the interaction between law enforcement and the people they serve and puts us on a path to a more thoughtful criminal justice system.”
