Interrogation Full Circle: How FLETC Partnered with Dallas to Develop Video-Based Training

Henry David Thoreau once said, “It takes two to speak truth, one to speak and another to hear.” While the philosopher certainly was not referring to criminal interrogations, this principle very much applies when an investigator sits across from a suspect in search of the truth behind an allegation. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC’s) Behavioral Science Division (BSD) strives to equip federal, state, and local law enforcement professionals with the best training possible as they work to obtain the truth. Recently, the division partnered with the Dallas Police Department (DPD) to develop and field a groundbreaking video-based training tool, A 360-Degree Look at Criminal Interrogation. The training tool recognizes truth is found during criminal interrogations through an interaction involving two individuals with unique perspectives on a complex process and provides comprehensive analysis of the dynamics and decisions that influence the outcome of an interrogation. This article explains the development and implementation of A 360-Degree Look at Criminal Interrogation and includes the story of the collaboration from the viewpoint of DPD Senior Corporal Kevin Navarro, one of the key individuals involved in its development. It also incorporates an opinion regarding the effectiveness of A 360-Degree Look at Criminal Interrogation provided by DPD Homicide Detective John Palmer, who is featured in the training tool.