Interpreted investigative interviews under the PEACE interview model: police interviewers’ perceptions of challenges and suggested solutions

ABSTRACT

Investigative interviewing is a crucial but complex aspect of police work. Although research has demonstrated that the PEACE interview model is effective with victims, witnesses, and suspects, the challenges can be intensified in interpreter-assisted interviews. This article reports police interviewers’ perceptions of interpreted investigative interviews in two Australian jurisdictions. Participants (N = 19) in semi-structured interviews included experienced police interviewers (NSW, n = 9; Tasmania, n = 7) and specialist advisors (NSW, n = 1; Tasmania, n = 2). Interview transcripts were analysed thematically and according to the phases of the PEACE model. Findings suggest a need for further guidance on rapport development in interpreter-assisted interviews and greater use of certain phases of the model. Challenges for police interviewers included a lack of certified interpreters in necessary languages and training-to-practice gaps in working with interpreters. This article documents innovative solutions to challenges reportedly used in practice and proposes a research agenda to develop evidence-based approaches that address identified challenges.

KEYWORDS:

• PEACE interview model
• investigative interviews
• interpreters
• policing policy and practice guidelines

Acknowledgments

I thank the research committees and contact people of New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) and Tasmania Police, as well as the Migrant Resource Centre (Tasmania) for facilitating the research. Sincere thanks to the participants for sharing their experiences and insights. Thank you to Professor Roberta Julian for her mentorship, Ms Kesherie Gurung for research assistance, and Ms Leanne Wisbey for interview transcription. Thank you to NSWPF and Tasmania Police for providing feedback on an earlier draft and to two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Tasmania [Research Enhancement Grant Scheme].

Notes on contributors

Loene M. Howes

Loene M. Howes, is a lecturer in Criminology in the School of Social Sciences, and a researcher with the Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES) at the University of Tasmania. Her research aims to foster increased effectiveness of communication in the criminal justice system. It explores topics such as the relational dynamics of police investigative interviews and inter-professional communication about forensic scientific evidence.