Intro to Science-Based Interviewing

Become confident in interviewing suspects, informants, victims and witnesses.

Learn modern, research-based interviewing techniques

Intro to Science-Based Interviewing

(8 to 24 Hours)

California POST Certified: #1345-31453 – Plan N/A

Need certification for your state?
All of our courses are California POST certified because we are based in California. However, we present courses all over the United States and we’re happy to work with you to obtain certification in your particular state. Contact us to start a discussion about getting the process started.
This is a modern, science-based interviewing course specifically designed for busy patrol officers and detectives like you. You’ll learn the new science-based interviewing techniques that you can use to get to the truth. You’ll leave this course with the confidence to interview any suspect, victim, witness or informant.
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If getting suspects to talk to you was all you got out of this training … it would be worth it.

Icon - Evidence

If learning science-based techniques was all you got out of this training … it would be worth it.

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If finally mastering Miranda law was all you got out of this training … it would be worth it.

But you are not going to just learn one of these things, you are going to learn ALL of these things.

In addition, you are going to leave this training with the confidence to interview any suspect, victim, witness or informant.

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Registration is restricted to sworn law enforcement staff.

Upcoming Presentations:

Quick Facts

Target Audience:

Sworn law enforcement officer or public safety affiliated employee

Course Length:

24 hours (3 days)

Course Certifications:

California POST Certified. Need certification for your state?
All of our courses are California POST certified because we are based in California. However, we present courses all over the United States and we’re happy to work with you to obtain certification in your particular state.

Investment:

$595

Can your agency host this course?

YES

Attend this course and learn the new science-based interviewing techniques that are becoming mandated by state law such as the  AB 2644 Custodial Interrogation law in California and new interrogation laws in Delaware, Illinois, Oregon, Utah and more.

Interviewing suspects doesn’t have to be hard and you shouldn’t have to wait until you’re a seasoned detective to learn how to do it. In our course, there’s no multi-step procedure to learn. Instead we’ll show you how to cut through the confusion of conducting interviews with practical concepts you can begin using immediately. You’re going to be amazed at how much confidence you have after this training!

What are students are saying:

"I supervise our major crimes detectives and recently sent three detectives to your Intro to Science Based Interviewing. Having attended several Savage Training Group trainings myself, I had confidence the training and instructors would be top notch. You did not disappoint. All three of the detectives came away excited to try the new techniques they learned. Not only did I hear about the material presented, but I also heard how outstanding the instructors were. Whenever you can send three detectives to a three-day class and have them come back saying, “That is the best training I have ever attended”, I know I got my money's worth."

— Sgt J. Phipps, California Highway Patrol

“Take this course if you want to get better at getting to the truth.”

— Detective Girmscheid, Lake County SO (IL)

"Before this training I was frustrated because I had little to no plan when I was going into interviews. This course solved that! Now I have legitimate tools to use and a plan."

— Ofc. J. Janowczyk, Healdsburg PD (CA)

"My favorite part of the course was the student interaction that kept everyone engaged. I'm excited to get to work to try these techniques and teach others."

— Ofc. Lupita Figueroa, Rohnert Park Dept. of Public Safety (CA)

“My favorite part of the course was the real interview videos and the final interview exercise.”

— Roselle PD Sergeant (IL)

“Excellent course and excellent instructors. This course should be mandatory.”

— Ofc. Elmore Spencer, Union City PD (CA)

“Must attend. Great class.”

— Deputy Javier Acosta, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office (CA)

“I had no experience with interviews. This made me much more confident.”

— Deputy Aubrey Phillips, Alameda County Sheriff's Office (CA)

“Learning T.E.D.S. and conversation launchers was great because now I have more tools to help me get the facts.”

— Officer Damien Wyrick, San Francisco Police Department (CA)

“Before this course I was feeling insufficient as an investigator but in this course I learned about T.E.D.S, the question funnel and conversation launchers and now I feel more confident to interview suspects and witnesses.”

— Deputy M.D., San Mateo County Sheriff's Office (CA)

If you are like most officers, you can’t stand those courses where a dry instructor clicks through a PowerPoint. Rest assured, there is no “Death by PowerPoint” here! We only use instructors who are not only experts in conducting interviews but also expert instructors. While we’re incredibly lucky to have them as instructors, this course isn’t about the instructor, it’s about you. We’re here to build your skills and your career. You are the hero in this story. Our instructors will be your guides.

Your Instructors

Max Garces
Max Garces is currently an Investigator assigned to the Homicide Division of the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office in Fresno County, California. As a working law enforcement officer in one of California’s toughest areas, Max understands the challenges today’s officers face. He’s ready to share everything he knows about interviews and interrogations. You’ll benefit from a highly experienced instructor who has “been there and done that”, but remains humbly committed to helping you do the same.

More about Max 

Joe Preciado
Joe Preciado is a Sergeant with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and graduate of basic and advanced Science-Based Interviewing training courses. Joe’s detective experience includes General Felony investigator, Major Crimes Investigator working Sexual Assault and Child Crimes, and assignment to LAPD’S Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

More about Joe 

Joe and Max will guide you through everything you need to become an unstoppable interviewer.

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Here’s Why You Need This Course

Before Taking the Course

  • “Suspects don’t want to talk to me.”
  • “I don’t have time to do a long interview.”
  • “Miranda, Beheler and all the rules are confusing.”
  • “Other I&I classes aren’t relevant for my day to day work.”

After Taking the Course

  • You’ll learn the practical and legal ways to convince a suspect to talk to you.
  • You’ll learn an efficient way even patrol officers can perform a great interview.
  • You’ll leave this course completely confident about the intricacies of law.
  • This course is a new, modern course specifically designed for both patrol officers and detectives.
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This is a comprehensive and modern interviewing course for law enforcement officers

This course includes skill development in the following domains:

  • Suspect, Victim, Witness and Informant Interviews
  • Science-Based Interviewing
  • Patrol vs. Investigations Settings
  • Beheler / Miranda
  • Apology Letters
  • Deception Detection: Myth vs. Reality
  • Conversation Management
  • Rapport Building

To register you must be a sworn law enforcement officer or public safety-affiliated employee.

Register Today

How Is This Course Different?

This Science-Based Interviewing course is based on the latest research into techniques that are not only ethical but also highly effective. Our course is the culmination of years of research and development. Our course designers worked with subject-matter experts both in and outside of the United States as well as justice advocates and researchers. The result is a new type of training course that builds on the proven techniques of the past while avoiding those implicated in causing false confessions. Instead of complicated multi-step techniques, we teach simple to understand, highly practical concepts that out students can begin using immediately. Instead, of “Death by Power Point”, our presentation is highly active and engaging. The result is a well-researched, modern, and fun training course for today’s professional law enforcement officers.

Legal Considerations
You Need to Know:

Some antiquated interviewing techniques have been implicated as being coercive and potentially causing false confessions. Using those outdated techniques can be disastrous for not only an innocent person but for you and your agency. In the U.S., new laws such as California’s AB 2644 will require law enforcement officers to be trained in techniques that avoid “psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics”. Our interview courses have always and will continue to avoid teaching such tactics (that’s not something our competitors can claim.) If you are ready to learn modern techniques that are not only legal but also highly effective, get registered today.

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