Good cop/bad cop

Under Good cop, bad cop (English good cop, bad cop ) refers to a psychological tactic that is used as needed by the police for an interrogation. The technique is known in the U.S. and received in exaggerated form as a film cliché in popular culture. In an actual survey, it will only be used subtly and is unknown in a formal interrogation by German interrogation technique. However, it can also be used in private negotiations.

Procedure

Two policemen take turns when interviewing a suspect or witness. In general, it is aimed to create a sympathy for the "good cops " so that it can be passed as a kind of " confessor ".

The " bad cop " makes seemingly unjustified, but secretly intended personal attacks against the interrogators to provoke them and at the same time intimidate or even to threaten him. This is the basis for the appearance of the "good cops ". This affects understanding, supportive, and gently to the interrogators. He tries to establish a personal bond loose. He makes the front to interrogators to be able to hardly protect him from the attacks of the " bad cop ". By offering a cup of coffee, a cigarette or the like may be trying to create a positive attitude towards the good cops. He can also try the accused be granted certain privileges, or to justify any acts morally. Often the appearance of the "good cops " not in the actual examination, but only then, in the hallway or a separate lounge area, with a kind of " informal interrogation " takes place. There are Statements made but also to exploit as those of the actual interrogation.

Through the change of provocation and empathy alleged offender is to be brought to confess or to make certain statements. The " bad cop " puts the suspect in an emotionally turbulent state, the " good cop " sold him the statements as a way out of a threatening situation.

Practice

The technique can be rapidly identified by informed people, but it remains effective, especially against young, anxious or emotionally naive respondents. If the suspect realize the tactic he often feels snubbed, and the risk that he completely refused to testify. Experienced police officers appreciate the interrogation from the level of education and knowledge of the potential to be interviewed, where appropriate, to select a different survey method.

The technique is used mainly in the U.S. and received there in the popular culture. So there is in film and television numerous exaggerated representations of this interrogation method. As a result, it is widely known. In practice it is much more subtle applied, as it is shown in the filmic adaptation to avoid a recognition and a resultant refusal to testify. This is all the more censured than some of these tactics just for inexperienced respondents in court as suggestive survey and the results are discarded.

In Germany this interrogation technique is not recognized. The actual result of a formal hearing should be reflected in a protocol, both the accused at a survey as witnesses. Unlike the U.S., where deception is partly allowed in a hearing, this is explicitly prohibited by German Code of Criminal Procedure - here the principle is:

" The liberty of a voluntary decision and self-determination of the accused must not be adversely affected by abuse, fatigue, physical interference, administration of medication ( mind- clouding ) means, cruelty, deception or hypnosis. "

Comments

• Criminology
• Police Action