Sunday, March 12, 2017

The Reid Technique: (Part 7): 'Law Officer', a publication which describes itself as "the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement" says, "While the Reid Technique has been the enemy of defense attorneys for some time, this admission by such a large player in law enforcement has shaken the profession," in an unattributed article headed, "The Reid Technique Is Under Attack For Eliciting False Confessions.


PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The following article, published by 'Law Officer,'  indicates that the decision by Wicklander- Zulawski  to stop training detectives  in The Reid Technique  because of the risk of false confessions "has shaken the profession." This is not  about a passing controversy that can be contained by a damage control press release issued by Reid and Associates - but is rather  about a powerful police tool far too open to abuse and wrongful convictions, which has been in use since 1984. All the more reason  for media to exercise their watchdog function by reporting on local police forces and police commissions (and prosecution agencies)   to see if they intend to continue using the much-maligned approach - and whether they are exploring less-confrontational (and thereby less risky) interrogations methods. (And judges in trial and appeal courts - and jurors -  should be extra vigilant when statements taken through application of the Reid method are introduced into their courtrooms.)

Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;

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STORY: "The Reid Technique Is Under Attack For Eliciting False Confessions," published by 'Law Officer. ('Law Officer' describes itself as: (T)he only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company but is a true advocate for the profession.);

ARTICLE: "The Reid Technique Is Under Attack For Eliciting False Confessions," published by 'Law Officer' on March 11, 2017.

GIST: "The Reid Technique, long considered to be the “go to” training for detectives is in a battle for their reputation and name after Wicklander-Zulawski  and Associates, a consulting group that has worked with law enforcement for decades, said that it will stop training detectives in the Reid Technique, which has been taught since 1984. “Confrontation is not an effective way of getting truthful information,” said Shane Sturman, the company’s president and CEO. “This was a big move for us, but it’s a decision that’s been coming for quite some time. More and more of our law enforcement clients have asked us to remove it from their training based on all the academic research showing other interrogation styles to be much less risky.” While the Reid Technique has been the enemy of defense attorneys for some time, this admission by such a large player in law enforcement has shaken the profession." Over the past 50 years, several hundred thousand law enforcement officers have taken the course.  It is regarded by the law enforcement community as the gold standard in interviewing and interrogating suspects in criminal investigations and Reid has responded.  We have placed their comments below..."

The entire article can be  found at:

 http://lawofficer.com/investigations/the-reid-technique-is-under-attack-for-eliciting-false-confessions/

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy; Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog;