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Police officers talk with suspects on a regular basis. During such encounters officers use what is commonly referred to as an "interview stance." These stances vary from officer to officer based on their training and personal style. However, an officer safety stance should provide the interviewing officer with an image of control and confidence, the proper reaction distance from the suspect if the encounter becomes violent and the ability to escalate the use of force continuum.
Officers should critique their interview stances and interview procedures with their colleagues regularly. The interview stance establishes the officer's first line of defense. It is a simple technique often taken for granted. The critiquing officers should check for the following in a proper stance: hands held above the waist, chin tucked to protect jaw, knees slightly bent (do not stand flat footed), legs shoulder width apart in a bladed stance with weapon side to the rear (never square up on a suspect) and the ability to easily move side to side, front and back, and at a 450 angle. Officers must also be able to easily elevate their use of force by going to pepper spray, baton or holstered handgun.
An officer must also be able determine the limits of his or her personal space, which is an arm's length distance between the officer and the suspect. The officer needs to be able to operate within his space by being able to transition from his normal interview stance to a...