Professional policing Human rights The challenge to respect human rights At all stages of an investigation, it is essential that you adhere to the highest professional standards of policing and a total commitment to protecting and defending human rights, including those of the suspect. It is essential that you appreciate that this relationship between professional policing and upholding human rights is a perfect balance, where one cannot exist without the other. You must therefore demonstrate respect and integrity in the face of every challenge and frustration, even where these may arise as a result of the behaviour of the suspect, or because of your own sense of urgency, or that of your superiors or the public, to resolve the case. There will be occasions when you may feel that time is critical to saving human lives, perhaps in the case of a kidnapping or where terrorists are planning an outrage against innocent victims. This has happened with other police officers in the past. However, even the threat of violence to a suspect with no intention of carrying it out cannot be justified in these circumstances. Such unlawful behaviour has led to the punishment of officers and the potential for any evidence obtained to be deemed inadmissible by the courts. Equally important, as you will learn in the course of this guide, is that human rights compliant interviewing techniques are more productive and powerful than coercion, intimidation or manipulation. They have consistently been shown to be more effective in resolving crime than using methods that abuse or ill-treat suspects. This has been demonstrated and acknowledged even in dealing with the most difficult of suspects and the most serious of crimes. Upholding the law – A police officer’s duty In addition to the requirements and safeguards provided by domestic law, you are required to have specific regard to the international legal framework that Page 10 ► A brief introduction to investigative interviewing