Police agree with ‘principle’ of taping

Press, 24 August 1988, Page 11

Police agree with ‘principle’ of taping

The “broad principle” of taping interviews of suspects is supported by the police, according to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr John Jamieson. He was commenting on the release of a decision by the president of the Court of Appeal, Sir Robin Cooke, who said it was the widely held view of judges that recordings, whether by tape or video, should be set up as soon as possible. The Minister of Justice, Mr Palmer, earlier set up an inquiry, led by Sir David Beattie, into the possible use of tapes and video recordings. Mr Jamieson said yesterday there were several issues relating to taped interviews that needed to be consid-

ered. Those were expected to be covered in some detail in Sir David’s report to the Government, expected on November 30. “There are several issues to be worked

through such as resources, training and the logistics of taped interviews,” . he said. The issue of detaining people for interview is also being addressed, he said. “For example, what would happen if you had 20 people to interview and facilities to tape only four at a time?” Detective Superintendent Colin Wilson, who is head of C. 1.8. support and intelligence at Police National Headquarters in Wellington, went with Sir David to London this year to research taped interviews. “The results of that research will be carefully considered,” Mr Jamieson said.