Would the support of a local organisation, police staff association or trade union assist?
B151. A witness may initially be reluctant, but with support from local organisations or from police associations, he or she may come forward later. Making sure that the witness understands the police complaints systempolice complaints system and how it works could help him or her to feel confident about coming forward. B152. Reluctance to give evidence if there are particular sensitivities or confidential information may have a significant detrimental impact on the complaint process. Interviewing officers or police staff members B153. Where a decision is made to interview an officer or police staff member and if the allegation is at the more serious end of the spectrum, then the considerations set out in ACPO’s strategy on Investigative Interviewing Techniques may be required. This strategy covers video interviewing, cognitive interviewing and interviewing vulnerable and significant witnesses. Only investigators who have received the appropriate training should undertake such intervie
