Boca Raton Police Department Interview and Interview Rooms SOP PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 42.04 INTERVIEWS AND INTERVIEW ROOMS Revised: new I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to set guidelines for law enforcement officers (LEOs) conducting interviews and for the use of interview/polygraph r...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 42.04 INTERVIEWS AND INTERVIEW ROOMS Revised: new I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to set guidelines for law enforcement officers (LEOs) conducting interviews and for the use of interview/polygraph rooms. II. PROCEDURE: A. INTERVIEWS: 15.06 1. An interview may involve a victim, witness, or suspect. All interviews shall be conducted in a professional manner consistent with constitutional guarantees afforded the interviewee in all cases. 2. Persons found to have knowledge pertaining to an investigation shall not be subject to coercion, threats, or physical abuse. 3. Interviews of a juvenile shall be conducted in accordance with applicable directives. A juvenile's rights regarding to legal counsel and notification of parents or guardians shall be reviewed by LEOs when interviewing a juvenile. See Departmental Standards Directive 44.100 Juvenile Delinquency, Prevention, Control and Commitment for further information. 16.04 4. If the interview involves victims or witnesses of a particularly sensitive case, e.g., sexual assault or child abuse, the LEOs will contact one of the following outside agencies before the interview. B. a. Sexual Assault Counselor b. Department of Children and Families c. Child Protection Team INTERVIEW AND POLYGRAPH ROOMS: 1. During interviews and/or polygraphs there is routinely one LEO present. Certain situations may warrant the presence of two LEOs, e.g. LEO safety or security, the type of case, or the number of LEOs involved in the case. Only in rare or extreme circumstances will there be more than two LEOs present. Effective: July 7, 2020 Revised: Interviews and Interview Rooms SOP No. 42.04 Page 1 of 3 2. The interview and polygraph rooms have been equipped with video and audio recording equipment and are available for documenting interviews. Only LEOs who are properly trained with this equipment may operate it. 3. It will be the responsibility of the LEOs conducting the interview to ensure the safety, humane treatment and security of victims, witnesses, suspects, detainees or prisoners being interviewed. 4. The interviewing LEOs will ensure that such persons are provided access to water, restrooms and other necessities. 5. The interviewing LEOs will adhere to the following guidelines when using the interview or polygraph rooms for interviews of victims, witnesses, suspects, detainees, and prisoners: a. Search the room for any weapons or contraband before and after the interview. b. Search for and remove any objects that may be considered a safety hazard. c. Search detainees and prisoners for weapons and contraband before placement in a room. d. The interviewing LEOs controls access to the room. Any person, other than Department employees, allowed access to the room may be subject to a “pat down” for weapons and contraband. 6. The decision to have the detainee handcuffed while in the room shall be at the discretion of the interviewing LEOs. Investigating LEOs will not handcuff any person to any object in the room. 7. LEOs may enter interview or polygraph rooms, with the exception of those in the Temporary Detention and Processing Facility, with securely holstered weapons. If weapons are not securely holstered, LEOs shall secure their weapons in designated lock boxes. 8. If males, females and/or juveniles are interviewed at the same time, they shall be separated from each other by both sight and normal sound. 9. When a detainee is in the interview or polygraph room, he/she will be under continuous visual observation. This can be accomplished by the LEOs being present in the room or the detainee being monitored by video at the interview control station. 10. In the event of an evacuation, the interviewing LEOs shall handcuff the detainee and escort him/her to the nearest evacuation point. 11. Signs indicating evacuation routes shall be placed in conspicuous places indicating the nearest exits. Effective: July 7, 2020 Revised: Interviews and Interview Rooms SOP No. 42.04 Page 2 of 3 12. Fire extinguishers are located near the interview and polygraph rooms. 13. No lighters, matches or combustible items are permitted inside the interview or polygraph rooms. 14. To ensure that an interviewee in need of medical assistance will receive prompt emergency assistance, the following will be adhered to: a. All LEOs will have at their disposal, some form of communication (e.g. portable radio, cell phone, etc.) to be used should an emergency arise. b. All LEOs will be familiar with the location and contents of the first aid kits located near the interview or polygraph room. c. All LEOs will know the proper procedure for initiating Fire Rescue Services response. Approved: Michele Miuccio Chief of Police Effective: July 7, 2020 Revised: Date: Interviews and Interview Rooms SOP No. 42.04 Page 3 of 3