1. An examination of police recruits’ planning and interviewing practices
Adrian J. Scott, Jane Tudor-Owen, Pamela Henry (Edith Cowan University)
Ray Bull (University of Derby; Edith Cowan University)

2. Introduction
The PEACE model of investigative interviewing was introduced in Western Australia in 2009 as part of a statewide investigative interviewing training regime
The mnemonic outlines five stages of the interview process:
Planning and preparation
Engage and explain
Account, clarification and challenge (Account)
Closure
Evaluation
Present research examines the planning and interviewing practices of Western Australia police recruits with regard to the Engage and explain, Account and Closure stages

3. Introduction
Focus on the stages of PEACE internal to interviews: Engage and explain, Account and Closure
Relative neglect of the stages of PEACE external to interviews: Preparation and planning and Evaluation
Planning is considered an important aspect of investigative interviewing by police officers (Soukara et al., 2002)
Use of written plans for investigative interviews has been recommended (Clarke & Milne, 2001)
Research suggests a positive relationship between planning and interviewing practices (Clarke & Milne, 2001; Walsh & Bull, 2010)
But planning has been assessed on the basis of the interviews rather than the plans themselves

4. Introduction
Aims
To examine the influence of training on planning and interviewing practices
Recruits at the Western Australia Police Academy: Week 2 vs. Week 12/15
14 composite interview components
To examine the relationship between planning and interviewing practices
Recruits at the Western Australia Police Academy: Week 12/15
75 individual interview components
Understanding the influence of training on, and the relationship between, planning and interviewing practices has implications for training

5. Method Design Participants Repeated measures Week 2: Untrained
Week 9: Post-legal and procedural training
Weeks 12/15: Post-interview training
Weeks 22/23: Fully trained
Participants
37 recruits (70% male, 30% female), average 27 years of age
Week 2: 37 witnesses (30% male, 70% female), average 24 years of age
Week 12/15: 37 witnesses (19% Male, 81% female), average 31 years of age

6. Method Materials and procedure
Mock crimes filmed at the Western Australia Police Academy from the perspective of the witness:
Week 2 = Assault
Week 12/15 = Theft from a vehicle
Recruits given 10 minutes to plan for the interviews
Witnesses watched mock crimes
Both directed to interview rooms
Recruits conducted interviews without time restrictions

7. Method
Coding
The coding schedule contained 75 key interview components for interviews with witnesses as identified using previous coding schedules (Clarke & Milne, 2001; Walsh & Milne, 2008; Scott et al., 2015; WA Police training materials)
24 Engage and explain
40 Account
11 Closure
E.g.,
Introduces self
Explains the purpose of interview
Asks for uninterrupted account
Summarises interview
Thanks witness for time

8. Method
Coding
68 of the 75 key interview components were collapsed to form 14 composite interview components
5 Engage and explain
6 Account
3 Closure
E.g.,
Introduction Interview structure
- Introduces self - Asks for uninterrupted account
- Provides date - Does not interrupt
- Provides time - Shows evidence of topic boxes
- Place of work - Appropriate structure
- Keeps to relevant topics

9. Results

10. Results

11. Results

12. Results

13. Discussion
The influence of training on planning and interviewing practices
Greatest focus on Account followed by Engage and explain and Closure in plans
Proportionately more key interview components in plans post-interview training
Exceptions...
Witness demographics and Person details
Greatest focus on Account followed by Closure and Engage and explain during interviews
Proportionately more key interview components covered during interviews post-interview training
Witness demographics, Offence details and Confirm account

14. Discussion
The relationship between planning and interviewing practices
Majority of key interview components Planned/Covered or Not planned/Not covered
More key interview components Not planned/Covered than Planned/Not covered
Relationship between planning and interviewing practices stronger for key interview components…
Requiring specialist knowledge (Account)
Relating to specific instructions (Engage and explain and Closure)

15. Discussion Proforma Plans Development of a more balanced proforma
Emphasis where relationship between planning and interviewing practices evident
Plans
Training regarding how to use plans during interviews
Strategic plans may be set for a period of time with regular reviews
Intermittent assessments of the utility of plans are common
Recruits should feel comfortable assessing their plans during interviews in order to ascertain their progress
Effectiveness of planning diminished if recruits do not consult their plans during interviews

16. Email j.tudorowen@ecu.edu.au
‘Written plans and self-evaluations in investigative interviews with witnesses’ Available at
The authors would like to thank the Western Australia Police Academy for its support during the development of this research and highlight that the views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent the policies or views of the Western Australia Police