Please help with my research about police!

Question

I'm writing something, and I really need help with a few questions about police, and the way they work. If anyone could help, no matter how small the information you give is, it would be really, really appreciated. Here's what I need to know.

If someone that is under-aged and needs to be taken in for questioning, does a parent need to be present? If not, do they have to give permission or something?

Also, before someone is interrogated, are any preliminary questions or steps taken? Like, finger printing, or photos, or even just asking general questions like what's your birthday so they know they have the right person?

Also, is the questioning done at the police station? Or do they have a certain place for that?

And lastly, if a cop is taking someone to the police station, even if they are innocent and just need to be questions, they're still placed in the back seat right? And all the cop cars' back doors can only be opened from the outside, correct?

Answer 1

There are procedural differences depending on your jurisdiction. So I will try to answer in general terms and from my own law enforcement experience.

If I arrest a juvenile (for shop lifting for examplee ) I will contact theiaren'tnt or guardian anadvisese them that their child is in custody and make arrangements for the child to be returned home. The parents are contacted at a later date to arrange an appointment for interviewing the child in their presence.

When speaking to a person for any official reason or execise of authority I must identify myself and produce my badge and ID (the badge and ID are a requirement for plain clothes officers). I then ask for the details of the person I am speaking to (be they witnessess, complainants or suspects). I would ask for name, DOB, address and phone.

Fingerprinting and photographs can be taken prior to charging but only in certain circumstances and with authorisation of a senior  officer. They are usually taken during the charging process.

Questioning can occur anywhere so long as the questioning is electronically recorded. This is usually most conveniently done at the police station where facilities for this are provided (eg. video and audio recorders)

When a suspect is placed into the rear of a police vehicle it is the usual practice in the QLD police service that the suspect is placed behind the passenger seat and an officer is seated beside them behind the driver (done for officer safety). Not really neccessary in the police vans or in cars with perspex screens installed.

So far as the doors are concerned we activate the child locks so yes they can only be opened from the outside.

I hope this helps

Answer 2

If I question someone underage I don't need anyone there, parent or not. And no, I do not need to ask the parents permission.

Interrogation: it can occur before or after booking so I

don't need to take prints and such. I do want ID to know who I am talking to. State drivers license is fine.

Questioning is usually done in a special room wired for sound and video.  But it can occur anywhere I might feel its useful, the crime scene, hospital, bathroom...anywhere.

If I am giving a ride to someone, many times I clear out the front seat and have them ride up front.  And yes, the doors can only be opened from outside.  

Answer 3

if the person in question is under-age the police have to ask permision from the parent. and questioning is done that the police station.

yes because normaly there two police that sit at the front