[psych-hr] Re: How to train an interrogation officer?

Hello friends,

As remarkable as this may sound, the Asylum Division of the International
Affairs office of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
has developed training manuals for Asylum Officers that are sensitive to
the effects of trauma on the respondent's ability to communicate during
interrogation.  Joyce A. Stadnick, head of the Asylum Division sought
consultation from human rights lawyers and psychologists in preparing the
revisions of their training materials in 1997.  I reviewed their
materials, made a great many suggestions, and ALL of my suggestions were
adopted.  The lessons on Interviewing, particularly Interviewing
Survivors, may contain many good pieces that can be adapted to the Turkish
interview.  Ms. Stadnick will probably be glad to supply copies if you
request them.  She deserves a lot of credit for working within the INS to
improve a process that has historically been biased, self-serving, and
oftentimes ruthlessly cruel. She takes seriously the fact that she works
for the JUSTICE department of the USA.

I hope this lead proves fruitful.  Joyce Stadnick can be reached at tel:
(202)-305-2663; fax: (202)-305-2918.  Mail: U.S. Dept. of Justice; INS,
Office of International Affairs, Asylum Division; 425 I Street, N.W.;
ULLICO Bldg. 3rd Floor; Washington, DC 20536.

I would advise against using any materials borrowed from police/law
enforcement; e.g., the Academy of Justice, San Diego, California--used for
training police officers.  While this sort of manual represents "the
book," as in "doing it by the book," the emphasis is on getting
confessions, not getting at the truth.  Thus, even the "good" manuals are
apt to give tacit approval to aggressive methods and to make light of human
rights violations.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance with your quest.  I
might be able to turn up more resources. Good luck.  And thank you for
what you're doing!

Adrianne Aron
aron@igc.org