Understanding police officers’ experiences of post-shooting interviews: factors influencing account-giving

Purpose This study aims to understand the factors that are perceived to influence the completeness and accuracy of officers’ accounts of an officer-involved shooting (OIS). Design/methodology/approach Research interviews were conducted with 13 Australian police officers who had been involved in a shooting and subsequently undergone an investigative interview by their agency’s internal investigators. The authors integrated the officers' experiences of, and perspectives on, these investigative interviews using inductive thematic analysis. Findings Officers’ accounts of a shooting relied not just on their memory but their engagement and ability to provide their account. This was influenced by their psychological state as well as the interview process. Interview timing was relevant. However, it was not necessarily the length of time to wait, but the treatment experienced during that time that had the most impact, not only on officers’ satisfaction with the process but also on the quality of information provided. Officers felt they performed best when supported, and demonstrations of procedural and informational justice were key. Practical implications Knowledge of the factors that affect officers’ ability to provide accounts of stressful events can contribute to policies that recognise individual-level needs and ensure fair treatment of subject officers. Originality/value While prior research has recognised OISs as traumatic events with long-term impacts on officer wellbeing, far less is known about the immediate aftermath of a shooting with respect to the needs of the officer and how this might impact the interview process. By drawing on the insights of officers with direct experience, this study adds to the evidence for best-practice interviewing of officers after a shooting.