Unit Title
CJ201
/Interview suspects in relation to priority and volume investigations
Summary
This unit focuses on interviewing suspects in priority and volume investigations..Linked NOS units are CJ101 and CI101.
This unit covers interviews with suspects who are under arrest and those who are not under arrest, whether the interview is conducted at police premises or elsewhere. Whilst in many cases interviews are conducted by two officers, you will need to be able to carry out all of the activities described in this unit.
You must plan and prepare for the interview by developing an interview plan, assessing the suspect’s fitness for interview, and setting up an appropriate location. You must conduct the interview in accordance with legislation, policy and other guidelines using appropriate interviewing techniques and communication skills. Finally, you are expected to evaluate the interview (including your own performance) and take any necessary further action.
There are three elements:
CJ201.1 / Plan and prepare interviews with suspectsCJ201.2 / Conduct interviews with suspects
CJ201.3 / Evaluate interviews with suspects and carry out post-interview processes
Target Group
This unit is aimed at those who undertake interviews with suspects in relation to priority and volume investigations.This unit was developed by the Skills for Justice.
Skills for Justice / Page 1National Occupational Standards for Policing and Law Enforcement / Final Version May 2008
Element
CJ201.1
/Plan and prepare interviews with suspects
Performance Criteria
To meet the standard, you
1 / review all the available material relating to the incident2 / assess anyfactors affecting the suspect's fitness for interview and the necessity for appropriate people to be in attendance
3 / consult with relevant others to plan the interview
4 / establish the appropriate time, location and resources for the interview
5 / determine the extent of, and supply, appropriate pre-interview briefing to legal advisors
Range
1 / factorsa / intoxication (drink or drugs)
b / behaviour
c / age
d / physical disorder/disability
e / learning disability
f / mental health
2 / material
a / information
b / object
c / written documentation
d / audio recording
e / passive data generators
f / visual images
3 / relevant others
a / prosecutors
b / appropriate adults
c / health care professionals
d / custody officer
e / officers required for legal authorities
f / interpreters
4 / location
a / at the scene
b / police premises
c / public, private or business premises
d / healthcare facility
e / custodial establishment
f / public place
5 / resources
a / audio recording equipment
b / video recording equipment
c / appropriate documentation
d / exhibits
Element
CJ201.2
/Conduct interviews with suspects
Performance Criteria
To meet the standard, you
1 / assume responsibility for, and maintain security and welfare of, the suspect and relevant others, where applicable2 / inform all present of their rights and responsibilities in the interview process and check their understanding
3 / give the required caution and evidential/special warnings to the suspect and check their understanding
4 / record the interview using the relevant resourcesand documentation
5 / interview the suspect using appropriate interviewing techniques and communication methods
6 / deal with individuals in an ethical manner, recognising their others in respect of race, diversity and human rights
7 / where necessary, use exhibits appropriately during the interview
8 / deal with contingencies in accordance with current guidelines and codes of practice
9 / clearly inform the suspect and relevant others, where applicable, when the interview is concluded of all relevant information and the next steps
10 / complete all relevant documentation to reflect all decisions, actions, options and rationale in accordance with current policy and legislation
Range
1 / resourcesa / audio recording equipment
b / video recording equipment
c / appropriate documentation
2 / documentation
a / interview notes
b / pocket notebook
c / criminal justice statements, including victim personal statements
d / national documents
e / local documents
f / exhibits
3 / contingencies
a / medical
b / welfare
c / legal
d / abusive and aggressive behaviour
e / technical faults
f / complaints
g / environmental conditions
4 / relevant others
a / legal representatives
b / appropriate adults
c / health care professionals
d / custody officer
e / interpreters
f / colleagues
Element
CJ201.3
/Evaluate interviews conducted with suspects and carry out post-interview processes
Performance Criteria
To meet the standard, you
1 / evaluate the interview to identify the necessary further action and update relevant others2 / take or arrange the required immediate action in respect of information obtained
3 / evaluate all the available material as a result of the interview and other action
4 / evaluate your own performance in the interview and identify any learning points
Range
1 / actiona / charge a suspect
b / release a suspect
c / arrest a suspect
d / no further action
e / further lines of enquiry
2 / relevant others
a / legal representatives
b / appropriate adults
c / health care professionals
d / custody officer
e / officers required for legal authorities
f / interpreters
g / victims/witnesses
Unit
CJ201
/Interview suspects in relation to priority and volume investigations
Knowledge and Understanding
To meet the standard, you need to know and understand
Legal and organisational requirements
1 / current, relevant legislation, policies, procedures, codes of practice, doctrine and guidelines in relation conducting interviews2 / current, relevant legislation and organisational requirements in relation to race, diversity and human rights
3 / current, relevant legislation and organisational requirements in relation to health, safety and welfare
4 / how to deal with suspects and relevant others in an ethical and effective manner
5 / the rights of suspects
Interview preparation
6 / how to evaluate material and plan an interview strategy7 / how to establish the suspect’s fitness for interview
8 / the suitable timings for interviews
9 / the locations in which interviews can take place
10 / the environmental conditions which are conducive to interviews
11 / who to consult with regarding the interview strategy
12 / the points to prove for the incident(s) concerned
13 / how to deal with potential defences and reasonable explanations and motives
Interviewing suspects
14 / the roles of the relevant others in interviews15 / the procedures and reasons for assuming responsibility for suspects
16 / how to maintain the security and welfare of the suspect and others
17 / how to check the suspect's understanding of the relevant criminal justice processes
18 / how to record the interview
19 / the types of approved interviewing techniques and communication methods
20 / the types of contingencies that may arise during interview and how these should be dealt with
21 / the procedures and reasons for handing over responsibility for suspects in police detention to the Custody Officer on completion of interviews
Evaluating the interview
22 / how to evaluate the interview and your own performance in the interview23 / the types of further action which may be taken and how these should be initiated
24 / how to update relevant others and the information they will require
Documentation
25 / the relevant interview documentation and how to complete it correctly26 / the reasons why endorsements may be required
Evidence Requirements
1Simulation is not allowed for any performance evidence within this unit.
2You must practically demonstrate in your work that you have met the standard for interviewing suspects in relation to priority and volume investigations.
3Element CJ201.1 Plan and prepare interviews with suspects
From the range in element 1 you must show that you:
-have dealt with 2 types of factors *
-have used 4 types of material*
- have consulted with 4 of the relevant others*
- have set up 2 types of location*
-have used 2 types of resources*
4Element CJ201.2 Conduct interviews with suspects
From the range in element 2 you must show that you:
- have used 1 type of resources*
- have used 1 type of documentation*
- have dealt with 1 of the contingencies*
- have dealt with 3 of the relevant others*
5Element CJ201.3 Evaluate interviews with suspects and carry out post-interview processes
From the range in element 3 you must show that you:
- have taken all of the further actions
- have updated 4 of the relevant others*
* Items from the range not covered by performance evidence should be supported by knowledge evidence.
Skills for Justice / Page 1National Occupational Standards for Policing and Law Enforcement / Final Version May 2008