Law Enforcement Patrol and Field Interviews

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting a field interview?

To establish probable cause for an arrest

To interrogate a suspect for an extended period of time

To read a suspect their Miranda rights

To gather more information about a person or situation (correct)

What is required for a police officer to justify a temporary detention for a field interview?

Probable cause for an arrest

A search warrant

A witness statement

A rational suspicion of criminal activity (correct)

What is the consequence of refusing to identify oneself as a witness?

A felony

A Class C misdemeanor (correct)

A Class A misdemeanor

No criminal charge

Why are verbal communications from other officers or citizens important?

Because they can provide reasonable suspicion for a field interview Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended safety precaution when conducting a field interview?

Standing at an oblique angle to the subject Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to observe a person before approaching them?

To gather more information about the person or situation Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended distance to maintain from a subject during a field interview?

Six to ten feet Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of MISSOURI REVISED STATUTES 575.190?

To facilitate police investigations and encourage cooperation from witnesses Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances can a person be required to provide identification?

When on private property without permission Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a field interview and a formal interrogation?

The level of formality and record-keeping Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary motivation for a patrol officer to stop an individual during a field interview?

Suspicion Signup and view all the answers

What is considered 'ordinary' in a field interview context?

The place and habits of the local people Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a field interview report (F.I.R.)?

To record the details of a field interview Signup and view all the answers

What is the constitutional requirement for obtaining information from non-suspects?

No specific requirement Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of 'suspicious' behavior during a field interview?

A person staggering or weaving while walking Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the two-hour lecture in this lesson plan?

Constitutional and tactical perspectives on field interviews Signup and view all the answers

What is the objective of a patrol officer during a field interview?

To build reasonable suspicion Signup and view all the answers

What is the duration of the practical exercise in this lesson plan?

2 hours Signup and view all the answers

When approaching a vehicle where the subject is seated, what is the recommended strategy?

Try to approach the vehicle without being seen, coming up low behind the right rear fender Signup and view all the answers

What should be the primary focus of an officer when conducting a field interrogation?

Controlling the subject's hands Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Field Interview Report (FIR)?

To record pedigree information and basic facts learned during a brief interview Signup and view all the answers

What information is required to complete a Field Interview Report (FIR)?

Date, time, and location of the stop, as well as subject's personal information Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the instructor's demonstration of a Field Interview Report (FIR)?

To role-play a scenario in front of the class Signup and view all the answers

What is the scenario for the recruit's demonstration of a Field Interview Report (FIR)?

A person who attended a loud party and parked their car blocking a driveway Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the role-play exercise in the Field Interview Report (FIR) training?

To practice conducting a field interview Signup and view all the answers

What information is required for a juvenile subject during a Field Interview Report (FIR)?

Either employer, parent, guardian, or school Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Field Interviews and Patrol Management

Field interviews are a crucial part of patrol duties, and officers must develop their interviewing and observation skills to justify reasonable suspicion and complete Field Interview Reports (FIRs).

Justifying the Stop

A person exhibiting suspicious behavior may:
- Hide or change direction upon seeing the officer
- Drop or conceal themselves upon approach
- Carry unusual objects
- Stagger or weave while walking
A good peace officer is always on the alert for anything that appears out of the ordinary, considering factors like place, time of day, and local habits.

Field Interview Defined

A field interview is a brief, informal interview conducted away from the police station, with or without record-keeping.
General grounds for a temporary detention for a field interview include:
- Rational suspicion by the police officer that some activity out of the ordinary is occurring or has taken place
- Indication connecting the person under suspicion with the unusual activity
- Suggestion that the activity is related to crime
- Person fitting the description of a wanted person
- Verbal comment or statement from an officer or citizen causing reasonable suspicion

Questioning Witnesses

Verbal communications from other officers or citizens can be grounds for reasonable suspicion.
When obtaining information from a non-suspect or witness, there is no Miranda requirement.
Refusing to identify oneself as a witness can lead to a Class C misdemeanor charge.

Proper Tactics for Conducting a Field Interview

When conducting a field interview, officers should:
- Stand at an oblique angle to the subject, protecting their face, eyes, groin, and knee cap
- Position themselves with cover between them and the subject, or nearby
- Maintain a distance of at least six to ten feet (safety zone or reactionary gap)
- Keep the subject in sight, never turning their back or permitting them to move out of sight
- Control the subject's hands before beginning the interview

Field Interview Report (FIR)

A FIR is a one-page, fill-in-the-blank report form used to record pedigree information and basic facts learned in the interview.
Information required to complete a FIR includes:
- Date, time, and address of the stop
- Full name, nickname, and home address
- Full description of the subject and vehicle
- Social security number, operator license number, and clothing worn
- Circumstances surrounding the stop and accompanying subjects

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Description

Learn about field interviews during patrol duties from a constitutional and tactical perspective. Develop interviewing and observation skills through simulated conditions and complete field interview reports.