9 STEPS OF KANSAS POLICE INTERROGATION - REID TECHNIQUE

The last blog discussed what to expect during a Kansas police investigation. This blog will focus on the commonly used interrogation style called the "Reid Technique". Again, by the time law enforcement has decided that they need to speak with you, they believe that you have committed a crime and need only confess. They will limit your how much you speak and apply pressure to get you to admit to a crime. Here are the 9 steps:

1. Confrontation. You've probably seen this done in a movie. This is where you will be confronted with information about the crime and be told that they "know" you were involved and just need your side of the story. This is not hostile, is only a warmup of things to come, and allows for Kansas police to watch how you behave;
2. Theme development. The officers are next trained to encourage you to align with a storyline that involves your guilt. They may offer you excuses or seeming defenses, which they hope will allow you to justify (but incriminate) your actions. They can, and will, lie to you about what they know. Typically, this is the longest step in the Reid process;
3. Stopping denials. Kansas police believe that if you bought into a theme in Step 2 that you probably are guilty of the crime. However, if you continue to proclaim your innocence, they will interrupt, interject or reject all of your efforts. This will work to make you think that you have no defense and that they know the "truth";
4. Overcoming objections. If you give a reason you didn't commit a crime, after Step 3, this is considered progress to law enforcement. The Reid Technique teaches that this is only done by the guilty. They will listen to your reasons, shift away from a hostile tone, and coax you towards accepting responsibility;
5. Alignment. Here law enforcement will try to appear sincerely concerned for you, how much pressure you are under and how scared you feel. They may enter your personal space, talk you you with a caring tone, and make efforts to keep you engaged. You know. Like a friend would. Kansas law enforcement will want you to believe you can trust them and they are only there in partnership with you;
6. Sshh and Listen. By this step you are likely worn down. At least Kansas police hope so. You will raise little-to-no objections or proclamations of innocence. You will begin to look to law enforcement for relief. They want you looking deflated and keeping eye contact. If you cry. BINGO! They know you have caved;
   
7. Alternatives. Continuing to fane caring, investigator will give you a choice to pick from a terrible or less-than-evil rationale (theme) for your crime. This will likely start in the small details (which are admissions) and continue until you adapt the theme as your own. They don't care what theme you pick. Either way you've made admissions of guilty;
8. Conversation. Now that you have accepted a theme, the investigators will turn this into a conversation about the facts and details surrounding the crime. There will probably be another officer present (so that there is a witness to your admission) and you will be encouraged to talk about your theme of guilt. It is possible here that they will go back to your prior denials or objections and ask you to admit those were false; and
   
9. Confession. Now all that is left is for you to voluntarily affirm your statements of guilt. This can be done orally but, likely will be done in a written statement that you will sign. You will be taken into custody and begin the criminal prosecution process.

Remember: Anytime you are under investigation (whether it be for theft, a sex crime, etc.) you are up against trained professionals. You cannot simply outsmart or outwit them (although they are hoping you are silly enough to try). 

It is hard, but not impossible, to overcome signed or oral confessions. For that reason, anytime you have been arrested, or asked to give a statement, you should be represented. If you are in such a circumstance feel free to call Attorney T. Morton (913) 602-7288. Payment plans are available.