Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
5.2 Criminal Investigations: Operations
5.2.13 Field Interview/Interrogation (Revised: 6/22/22 )
A. Properly conducted and documented field interviews may provide information needed by
other officers and detectives or provide information beneficial to future investigations.
B. Field interviews should be used only when an officer can articulate a reason able
suspicion that an individual has been or is currently involved in criminal conduct.
Officers should be aware of any current state or federal case law that further defines the
use of the field interview.
C. Interviews of victims and/or witnesses will be recorded by officers using their body -worn
audio /video camera, with certain exceptions as outlined in General Order 4.7.15 “Body
Worn Audio/Video Systems.”
D. The approval for audio or video recording of an arrestee interrogation is not necessary. If
in custody, the individual should receive the Miranda admonishment . The advisement of
rights or admonishments shall be documented in the body of the follow -up report.
1. The interview shall be conducted using the cognitive interview technique.
2. Questions that are asked during the interview should be based on the case( s) being
investigated.
3. The interview/interrogation should take place in a setting without outside
interference.
4. The interview or interrogation will be conducted with no more than two persons
present.