Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (04/29/2024 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: USE OF INTERVIEW AND POLYGRAPH ROOMS
Index as: Continuous Supervision Interrogation of Detainee Interview ing
Detainee Interview Rooms Polygraph Rooms
Detainee , Interviewing Interview of Detainees Polygraph of Detainee
Accreditation Standards: 42.2. 8, CFA 31.01
Cross Reference: G.O. III -10, Transporting and Booking Detainees
G.O. III -25, Search of Persons
USB SOP II -16, DUI Arrests
Replaces : G.O. III -28 Use of Interview and Polygraph Rooms ( August 28, 2017 )
CAPP SOP I II-04, In -Custody Interviews (April 2017)
This Order consists of the following sections :
I. Policy
II. Definitions
III. Designated Interview Rooms
IV. Weapons Control
V. Security and Control of Detainee
VI. Emergency Procedures
VII. Interview Room Equipment
VIII. Access to Restrooms, Water or Comfort Breaks
IX. Electronic Monitoring
I. POLICY
A. The Depa rtment has designated room s for conducting interviews, interrogations and/or conducting polygraph
testing of persons who presently are in custody, or who are likely to be placed in custody, and unable to leave
Police Headquarters , and other off -site facilities, of their own free wi ll. This policy does not affect the interview or
polygraph testing of persons who are not, nor are they likely to be, placed in custody.
B. The Department has no rooms or areas that are specifically designated for unattended detention of anyone in
custody. It is the intent of the Department to always have continuous supervision of anyone detained.
C. It is recognized that a cooperative subject may quickly become uncooperative and create a dangerous situation.
Specific procedures which address the cust ody and control of detained persons help ensure the safety of officer s,
other employees and the person(s) in custody.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Continuous Supervision – Presence by a sworn officer with the authority and responsibility to exercise control over
the detainee and who can immediately intervene for security and safety reasons, if necessary.
B. Detainee – A person in custody whose freedom of movement is at the will of Department personnel. DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
August 2017 Immediately III-28
Distribution: All Employees
General Order III -28
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (04/29/2024 ) C. Interviewing – As used in this Order, means interviewing, interrogating or conducting a polygraph or similar testing
process.
III. DESIGNATED INTERVIEW ROOMS
A. Authorized detainee interview rooms are:
1. Polygraph Room s Training Division ;
2. Interview Room s, Investigative Services Bureau (ISB)
B. Detainees will not be interviewed in any room not authorized for this purpose, without the permission of a supervisor
based on the need to conduct a timely interview.
C. Polygraph interview rooms are used for both criminal and background examinations. Polygraph operators may be
either an officer or a civilian employee. If a criminal suspect is being examined by a civilian employee, a sworn
officer will remain immediately outside the polygraph room to provide assistance , if needed.
IV. WEAPONS CONTROL
A. Firearms may be worn and secured in a proper holster by sworn personnel engaged in the interview of a detainee.
1. If not worn, officer s will secure their firearm in an investigator’s locked desk, a cruiser trunk, or in some other
secure manner away from the interview area.
2. If a single officer is present with the detainee during an interview, a second armed officer must be outside the
room and able to intervene in an emergency.
B. Less -lethal weapons normally carried by sworn personnel may be retained during an interview, if desired.
V. SECURITY AND CONTROL OF DETAINEE
A. In-custody detainees:
1. May be kept secured in handcuffs and/or similar devices to prevent escape and to protect the officer (s) and the
detainee from injury .
a. At the interviewing officer’s discretion, a detainee may be secured to the fixed bracket attached to the top
of the inter view room tables in the ISB interview rooms, which have been installed for this purpose.
Detainees may not be secured to any other object.
b. Should the officer choose to conduct the interview with the prisoner unhandcuffed, they will ensure that
they have ad equate back up officers available in case the prisoner becomes a threat or attempts to escape.
At no time should a single officer or detective be left alone with an unhandcuffed prisoner.
2. Will be under continuous supervision as the designated interview rooms are not secure.
B. When the interview or testing has been completed the detainee will be transported to the Pinellas County Jail,
released, or other arrangements made, as soon as possible.
C. When a detainee is brought to Police Headquarters to be turned over to another officer for an interview, the arresting
or transporting officer will remain with the detainee unless verbally relieved by a receiving officer .
1. The officer receiving the detainee will clearly accept the responsibility for the control of the detainee and their
property from the arresting/transporting officer , if sufficient personnel are available to do so.
2. The receiving officer