LEARNING FROM POLICE INVESTIGATIONS

LEARNING FROM POLICE INVESTIGATIONS

• Be Professional

• Follow the Law – Don’t deviate

• You are in the spotlight

• Expect to be challenged

• You are in charge!

LEARNING FROM POLICE INVESTIGATIONS cont…

• Personal safety

• Be aware of your surroundings

• Don’t take risks

• Never “Assume” anything

• Stick to the script

LEARNING FROM POLICE INVESTIGATIONS cont…

•Note taking

•Gathering Evidence

•Disclosure

Notes can be anywhere

The role of the Investigator

• Unbiased gatherer of relevant information, working on behalf of the Complaints/Investigation Committee;

• Working on behalf of the regulator;• Determine the facts;• Identify the available information;• Determine how to obtain it• Must stay within the scope of the complaint!• It is not your job to determine if the information is

relevant

And now for the Interview…

Location is KeyYou as the interviewer set the location

– Private– Comfortable for the parties– Properly equipped (audio / video if required)– No distractions or interruptions such as

telephones or electronic devices– If you allow the subject to control the interview

date and location, you allow them to control the interview!

Tips to a successful interview

• Establish rapport• Listen actively…• Encourage spontaneous recall• Ask open-ended Q’s• Pause after each response• Avoid interrupting• Request detailed descriptions• Encourage intense concentration• Encourage the use of imagery• Adopt the subjects perspective• Ask compatible questions

Focus on the facts not Personalities!

• Keep an open mind• You are a professional• Be non-judgemental• Do not become their best friend• Show respect• Demonstrate care and interest• Be calm and reasonable• Never assume that the individual has the time to

or wants to speak with you

Conducting Interviews with and without a Lawyer

present• Cooperative relationship

• Encourage dialogue

• Safe environment

• Lawyer may restrict the dialogue

• You are in control

Conducting Interviews with and without a Lawyer

present• Set out and explain the ground rules to

the Lawyer

• Silent participant

• Police Facility – No entry

Conducting Interviews with and without a Lawyer

present cont…

• Record everything – In the room and on the way to the room

• Protect your integrity and the integrity of your investigation

Interview Notes vs Audio Recording

Interview notes Audio recording

Quick reference, often not detailed enough

Allows for a detailed accurate record of the interview

Open to criticism and interpretation Eliminates any accusations of bias

Need to provide opportunity for the party to review and verify

When to Caution Once you form the opinion that an offence has

been committed and you are questioning the person as a suspect, you must caution the person.

You can’t hide behind wordsYour job is not to “get around this”OK to stop, caution and start all over again

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Direction or

Advice

DISCUSSION?

Contact Information

Chris Buck – Senior Investigator Investigations and Hearings Department

Ontario College of Teachers101 Bloor Street WestToronto ON M5S 0A1 Canada(416) 961-8800 Ext. 406cbuck@oct.ca