Nevada Agencies that Record Interrogations

Transcription

1 Nevada Agencies that Record Interrogations Former U.S. and his associates at Jenner and Block surveyed law enforcement agencies in Nevada about their of interrogations practices. They received responses from 26 of the 39 agencies that were contacted (67% response rate). All respondents reported interrogations in some form. However, there was no uniform practice. Only 5 agencies reported having written policies on interrogations. Crime categories that warranted varied by agency and some agencies allowed at the discretion of the officer. Agency Source of Information Has equipment to record When is required? 1 Las Vegas Metro Police Clark County Public Defender & Report by former U.S. Attorney Thomas Sullivan 2003 Video and audio. Has interrogation rooms wired to video record interviews. Almost all homicide, sexual assault, robbery and kidnapping investigations; interrogations relating to other crimes are made at the discretion of the interrogating officer. 2 Douglas County Sheriff's 2003 Audio, sometimes video (audio s made in 90% of custodial interrogations, video s in somewhat fewer cases.) A Sergeant in investigations for 12 years stated: We have recorded in custody interrogations of felony suspects for 12 years, in two rooms equipped with audio and video. They have found that video s are good for watching suspects mannerisms. We love it. He cannot think of an instance in which a hurt the prosecution. Prosecutors want s. 3 Reno Police 2003; Video and audio. Has interrogation rooms wired to video record interviews. Yes All crimes. Miranda end In, the Public Information r with 12 years tenure stated "Recordings have absolutely resulted in fewer motions to suppress, an increased number of guilty pleas, and fewer complaints of officer misconduct. "

2 When is required? 4 Elko PD Audio is used in most cases, and video is added in special investigations. Major crimes. A detective with 24 years tenure, 12 as a detective, stated: "He is a big believer in the use of s. If you do your job right you have nothing to worry about. I can t imagine why any investigator wouldn t record. 5 Lander County Sheriff's 6 Nevada of Public Safety Video and audio. Major crimes. Audio Not sure. "Recordings are successfully completed between 70 and 80% of the time; the failures are due to technical difficulties or suspects refusals to be recorded. Miranda warning 7 North Las Vegas Police Video and audio. Major felonies. 8 Wells Police Video and audio Felonies.

3 When is required? 9 Yerington Police Video and audio Felonies, and serious misdemeanors. Miranda warning 10 Henderson Police 11 Elko County Sheriff's 12 Boulder City Police. ; Video and audio. There are two police stations, each with interview rooms equipped with digital video and audio equipment. Yes. Written Violent crimes against persons. regulations govern procedures. Audio, sometimes video. Not sure. Major felonies. Miranda end. Video and audio (dual-camera system) A detective with five years tenure: For at least the past 12 years, the department has recorded all custodial interrogations in major felony investigations from the Miranda warnings on, using primarily digital audio and also some video 13 Carlin Police ; 14 Fallon Police 15 Humbolt County Sheriff's 16 Lovelock Police Video and audio Yes Most major felonies (NCIC crimes Part 1) Video and audio. The department has an interrogation room equipped with audio and dual camera video Audio. The results are provided on CD/DVDs to the District Attorney. Miranda warning Video and audio. The decision to record is discretionary. Miranda end Chief stated in "Recordings are helpful in protecting my officers and serves as an aid in determining who is telling the truth when allegations of wrongful conduct are made. "

4 When is required? 17 Nye County Sheriff's 18 Pershing County Sheriff's 19 Storey County Sheriff's Video and audio. At discretion of officer. Encouraged to record for all major crime investigations. Audio Miranda end Audio No All crimes. Miranda warning A Detective-Sergeant, supervisor of the detective units, with ten years tenure in the Southern Command Area, stated: "I believe absolutely that s result in a greater number of guilty pleas and fewer charges of police misconduct. Recordings protect both the suspects and the police. " 20 College of Southern Nevada PD Video and audio. No At the discretion of officer Miranda warning A law requiring s of interrogations would be good, provided adequate financial provisions are made. 21 Sparks Police 22 Washoe County Sheriff's Video and audio. Recordings are made in seven interview rooms wired for videotaping. Video and audio. There are six interview rooms each equipped with two cameras, and a central control room. At discretion of officer, but records almost all interviews. Miranda warning All crimes. From the time the suspect is brought into the interrogation room In, a Sergeant with 22 years tenure, and a supervisor of the 25 to 30-officer Detective Division, stated "The cost of the equipment is cheaper than fighting and scrapping to get every confession through a suppression hearing. Recordings serve to more quickly get to the bottom of complaints against officers. r behavior tends to be better because they know they are being recorded."

5 When is required? 23 Lincoln County Sheriff's 24 Lyon County Sheriff's Video and audio. The interview room is equipped with video equipment supplemented by an audio system. Recordings are stored on a computer, and if needed three copies are made, one each for the District Attorney and defense lawyer, and one for use Yes All custodial interrogations, excluding misdemeanors. Video and audio. Yes All crimes. Miranda warning 25 Euerka County Sheriff's 26 Nevada Highway Patrol Washoe County Public Defender 1 Carson City Sheriff's 2 Churchill County Sheriff's 3 Ely Police 4 Esmeralda County Sheriff's 5 Mesquite Police 6 Mineral County Sheriff's 7 Tonopah Police department 8 Truckee Meadows Community College Police Video and audio. Audio tape recorder and a body-worn camera. Copies of DVDs and CDs are given to the District Attorney and defense lawyers. Yes, has interrogation rooms wired to video record interviews. All crimes. Beginning to end. Not sure. Agencies that Did Not Respond

6 When is required? 9 University of Nevada Las Vegas Police 10 University of Nevada, Reno Police 11 West Wendover Police 12 White Pine Sheriff's (Nevada Division of Investigation conducts interrogations). 13 Winnemucca Police