Critical discourse analysis approach to questioning strategies of police interrogations at the Central Regional Police Command, Cape Coast

Abstract

One of the goals of the police interrogation is to produce a record that reflects what was talked about during the interrogation, as much as possible in the words of the suspect. At the same time, it appears the institution does not allow the suspect to participate in reaching this goal. Therefore, the police interrogation setting is not only potentially contradictory for the suspect, but also for the police officer. Each service provided by police officers requires the execution of a critical document. However, police reports are often viewed as of low quality. If a report is badly prepared, it may jeopardize the investigation and, as a result, the officer's credibility. Unlike ordinary conversations, the structure of discourse between the police and complainants or suspects or witnesses differs. This study aimed at ascertaining the questioning strategies in police interrogations at the Central Regional Police Command, Cape Coast. Rooted in qualitative research design, the study was based on 10 police interrogation transcripts obtained from the Police Headquarters in Cape Coast. The study was hinged on the theory of critical discourse analysis (CDA). A multi-method data analysis, which involved the application of Conversational Analysis, and CDA were employed in this study. The findings revealed that interrogation of suspects is viewed, inside and outside police circles, as being at the heart of the police role. The study also revealed that the police used elicitation as a linguistic act form to secure information from the accused person and the latter in turn used reply/informative linguistic act to supply the information requested throughout the interrogation. It was recommended that A discourse-based training programme could be devised to help police officers effectively interview suspects since most of the interviewing/interrogation skills are borne out of the Police Manual. The study also recommended that the police should roll out a statutory requirement for video recorded evidence-in-chief.