Local detectives get interrogation training

Clark County

Discussion

August 9, 2009

Prosecutor: Art of interrogation often overlooked

By MATT THACKER The News and Tribune Sun Aug 09, 2009, 08:43 AM EDT

Local detectives received “world-class” training in the art of interrogation and interviewing this week at Ivy Tech Community College in Sellersburg.

The weeklong seminar — which teaches investigators how to evaluate verbal and nonverbal behavior and various techniques for obtaining information through asking questions — was sponsored by the Floyd County Prosecutor’s office and hosted by Ivy Tech’s criminal justice program.

Prosecutor Keith Henderson said resources have been poured into forensic sciences as new technology develops, but interviews and interrogations are still equally as important to an investigation.

“One of the most undertrained areas is the art of the interview,” Henderson said. “Many crime scenes don’t have a lot of physical evidence. ... Even though forensics are important and we’ll continue to put resources toward them, it’s equally as important to develop officers’ ability to interrogate.”

John E. Reid & Associates Inc., based in Chicago, provided the seminar. Sergio Parisi, who taught the classes, said they began in 1947 and have trained law enforcement agencies around the world. He said they train federal agents and local detectives and are open to new and experienced interrogators.

Leonard Gardenour, chair of Ivy Tech’s criminal justice program, said they have an advisory board made up of several law enforcement agencies in the area and were honored to host a Reid & Associates seminar.

“We certainly want to maintain a close relationship with local police departments,” he said.

Henderson said it was important to bring the seminar to Southern Indiana to help minimize the cost of travel on smaller police departments and help local detectives from different departments to network.

Eight agencies were represented at the seminar, and 29 detectives went through the training. They included Jeffersonville, Charlestown, New Albany, Clark County, Floyd County and Indiana State Police officers. Others came from as far away as Lexington, Ky. Agents with the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also attended.

Wayne Kessinger, an investigator with the prosecutor’s office and teacher at Ivy Tech, went through the training.

“It’s a tremendous tool for detectives,” he said. “Detectives develop their own style and techniques. Everyone’s different, but this gives them a base from where to begin.”