Education Official launch of Complex Interviewing Training Written on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 On October 28, 2024 saw the launch of the Complex Interviewing Training at the Netherlands Police Academy’s Apeldoorn campus. Leonard Kok, Director of the Netherlands Police Academy, officially launched the training, in which students learn how to prepare, conduct and record complex interviews. The training will help them enhance their knowledge, skills and professional attitude for witness and suspect interviews, as well as interviews with vulnerable individuals. Leonard Kok gave a brief address to the students: ‘Much has changed in interviewing practice in recent years. In the past, building up the pressure was all part of conducting an interview. Nowadays the focus is more on truth-finding and having an open conversation. This new approach has been introduced both in police training and in interviewing practice. The launch of this more in-depth training is therefore a welcome development.’ Afterwards, over tea and cakes, Kok chatted with the students. He asked one of them, Judy Voort, why she had chosen to do this training. Judy: ‘Every suspect has their own story. As the interviewer, it’s up to me to figure out this story, so I can gain insight into the acts of the suspect. I enjoy being back in the classroom – practising new interviewing techniques with my colleagues and reflecting on our job. My work will definitely benefit from this.’ In-depth knowledge Patrick Backers is involved in the student selection for this training in his role as lecturer and behavioural scientist. Backers: ‘For regular interviews, what you learn during your foundational police training is enough. But if an interview is more complex – because of the type of offence or the behaviour of the interviewee, for instance – you’ll need more in-depth knowledge and skills. I’m happy that the Complex Interviewing Training allows us to offer these extra skills. To qualify for the training, students need a number of personal characteristics and competencies.’ Two assessments during the selection process Students who apply undergo a selection process in which a selection committee assesses the various selection criteria. The committee is made up of an investigative psychologist from an operational police unit, and an investigative psychologist or behavioural scientist from the Netherlands Police Academy. The latter are also involved in teaching the course. The first assessment consists of two online tests: a personality test and a critical thinking test. The results of the two tests are reviewed by the selection committee. Subsequently, the candidate is invited to a Police Academy location to complete the second assessment, consisting of two parts: first, a simulated police interview with an actor, observed by the selection committee; and second, an interview with the selection committee about the simulation and the candidate’s competencies. Explaining and reflecting on choices made During all four tests, the selection committee assesses the candidate on six competencies: stress resistance, flexibility, analytical skills, self-reflection, communicative skills, and empathy. The personality test and the critical thinking test are mainly an indication. The final result is determined above all by the interview with the selection committee and the simulated police interview. Backers: ‘You need to be able to explain why you made certain choices during the simulated interview. Let’s say you didn’t find out all the information, or you didn’t really connect well with the suspect, for some reason – none of this is a major problem, necessarily. But you do need to be able to explain your choices and reflect on them.’ Selection to increase success rate The selection process is quite extensive, and rightly so, in Backers’ view: ‘For policing on the ground, we really need well-trained investigators who are able to conduct interviews in complex cases like abduction, burglary, assault, murder and manslaughter. To improve the quality of interviews, you need careful selection and effective training. And careful selection increases the success rate, as students will have the competencies they need to complete the training successfully.’ The training The training is given several times a year. The next courses start in March and September 2025. The training consists of 31 weeks of lessons and concludes with the final exam. During the training, students attend the Netherlands Police Academy for about three days every second week. In the intervening weeks, the students can partly return to their normal duties, but will also have assignments to work on. Backers: ‘There are sixteen places for each module. If more candidates apply, we put them on the waiting list for the next cohort.’ Complex Interviewing Training Complex Interviewing Training is a new course that trains students as professional interviewers. In the past, the Netherlands Police Academy offered basic training for professional interviewing. In consultation with police officers on the ground, we have adapted and updated the previous interviewing training and made it more in-depth. Read more about the Complex Interviewing Training (in Dutch).