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By John Reid & Associates As a general guideline, an investigator should not address consequences during an interrogation. In fact, the investigator goes to great length to avoid discussing any possible consequences the suspect faces if he or she decides to tell the truth. After all, it is precisely because of those consequences that the suspect is lying. However, there are occasions where it may be appropriate or even necessary to discuss possible consequences with a suspect. Obviously the focus of this discussion should not be on the severity of consequences, but rather on the possible benefits of consequences.
So what possible benefits can the investigator offer a suspect who is facing a fifteen year prison sentence or the loss of a $120,000 annual salary? Pat McCarthy, who teaches a three day course on street crime investigations, is a master at making a lengthy prison sentence sound like a stay in a five star hotel. His tactic at selling the benefits of prison resembles the following:
"Tim, I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that you're going to walk on this one. If you are found guilty you're probably going to end up doing some time. But some good can come from this. For one thing, you can get your GED and other technical training so you'll be able to get a decent job, maybe pulling down $60 or $70 grand a year. Then you won't even be tempted to fool around with selling drugs or gang activity anymore. You'll get free dental and health care so you can get your teeth fixed and get regular checkups so you can stay healthy. You won't have any monthly bills to pay; you won't have to shop for food, cook meals or even do dishes. Plus, you'll get free cable and internet!
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by Olivia N. Johnson, DM*
Diseases of the soul are more dangerous and more numerous than those of the body.
~Cicero
For additional information reference Dr. Johnson's training programs, please visit
www.pg-ti.com or call 847-875-3620.
The National Institute of Mental Health (2009) estimated at any given time, one-quarter of American adults (over 18) experienced at least one psychological disorder. In fact, research suggests the United States is on the verge of becoming the global leader of mental disorders (Weiss, 2005). One of the most common and concerning mental disorders in the U.S. is depression.
Depression is "a medical illness that involves the mind and body... it affects how you feel, think, and behave" (Mayo Clinic, 2011, p. 1). Described by bouts of sadness, numbness, sleep disturbances, weight loss or gain, altered moods, feelings of emptiness, irritability, fatigue, worthlessness, anxiety, hopelessness, helplessness, and an overall loss of interest in once pleasurable activities; this often debilitating illness is categorized by levels of severity ranging from mild to severe.
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I realize that this is a great deal of information to learn. However, it is the foundation on which ethical decision are made. A firm ethical foundation, on which one can build a personal ethical system, for making decisions and explaining those decisions to administrators or in court, is absolutely necessary.
In addition, law enforcement agencies normally delineate a code of ethical behavior to guide their officers. This should be compared to the IACP code and if there are any differences an officer's supervisor should be able to explain the lack of congruity.
Officers will have the laws, statues and regulations that apply in their jurisdiction. Updates are supplied if these change. Constitutional law, which is relatively stable, is taught at all training academies.
All of this information is essential in forming the underpinning of one's decision making process.
Here is an example of an ethical dilemma. What will you do, quick, time is passing...
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 Top Ten Worst Tactics: - Using "big clown feet" to trip fleeing suspects.
- Hiding behind "heavier" officers.
- Pleading, "Stop, I'm a good person" when being hit by a suspect.
- Using any kind of nuclear device.
- Hand buzzers.
- Utilizing moves you learned watching WWF on TV.
- Skipping during traffic stops.
- Wearing a mask when responding to a bank robbery.
- Pulling the trigger on your shotgun to see if the safety is on.
- Forming a perimeter by holding hands with a group of officers.
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