Knowledge of interviewing suspects in relation to priority and volume investigations — SFJ Awards End-Point Assessment Public Services Revision
This element covers the legislative frameworks, professional standards, and practical skills required for interviewing suspects in both priority and volume
Topic Synopsis
This element covers the legislative frameworks, professional standards, and practical skills required for interviewing suspects in both priority and volume investigations. It focuses on planning, conducting, and evaluating interviews in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and associated Codes of Practice, ensuring the integrity of evidence and adherence to ethical guidelines.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Police Service Structure: Understanding the hierarchy and roles within police forces, including the rank structure (Constable to Chief Constable), the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), and the difference between territorial and specialist units like the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police.
- Powers of Arrest and Detention: Knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) codes, including the conditions for lawful arrest (necessity criteria), the rights of detainees (e.g., right to legal advice), and the procedures for custody and detention times.
- Criminal Law and Offences: Familiarity with key criminal offences such as theft (Theft Act 1968), assault (Offences Against the Person Act 1861), and public order offences (Public Order Act 1986), including the elements of actus reus and mens rea.
- Evidence and Investigation: Understanding the rules of evidence, including the admissibility of hearsay, the chain of custody, and the role of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA) in disclosure and case file preparation.
- Ethics and Professional Standards: The principles of the Code of Ethics for policing, including integrity, fairness, and accountability, and how these apply to decision-making, use of force, and interactions with the public.
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- When answering knowledge questions, always reference the specific Code of Practice (e.g., 'According to Code C, paragraph 10.1...') to demonstrate depth.
- For scenario-based tasks, use a structured approach: Caution, Rights, Explanation of process, Interview (using PEACE), then Close properly.
- Practice writing interview plans for different crime types (e.g., theft, assault) to speed up real-time planning.
- In role-play assessments, actively listen to the suspect’s responses and adapt your questioning accordingly rather than sticking rigidly to a script.
- Review the PEACE model’s ‘Engage and Explain’ phase thoroughly; many fail to establish ground rules effectively.
- For evaluation tasks, refer to the National Investigators’ Examination (NIE) syllabus and the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) for performance criteria.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to tailor interview plans to specific offence types instead of using generic templates.
- Not refreshing the caution memory or misquoting it during the interview.
- Using leading questions, especially when challenging a suspect's account, which can render evidence inadmissible.
- Neglecting to maintain a professional rapport, leading to the suspect becoming uncooperative or shutting down.
- Forgetting to complete or accurately timestamp post-interview paperwork, jeopardising chain of evidence.
- Assuming that the PEACE model is only for complex cases; it applies to all interviews including brief roadside encounters.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for demonstrating knowledge of the specific sections of PACE 1984 relevant to detention and interview (e.g., s.76, s.78).
- Look for evidence of planning: identifying points to prove, potential defences, and interview objectives.
- Marks for correctly stating and applying the caution and explaining its significance (e.g., right to silence, adverse inferences).
- Award credit for describing the PEACE model stages and applying them in context.
- For practical assessments, observe the use of appropriate questioning: open questions to gather information, closed to confirm details, and probing to challenge inconsistencies.
- Credit for demonstrating knowledge of post-interview responsibilities: sealing master tapes, completing custody record, and ensuring suspect is returned to custody.
- Evidence of self-evaluation showing awareness of strengths and weaknesses with reference to the National Competency Framework.
- Marks for identifying when a suspect is vulnerable and applying appropriate safeguards (e.g., appropriate adult, interpreter).