Reader TS had some concerns about my story today on two researchers who have come up with an innovative way of sniffing out deception. The researchers will begin training SDPD detectives in their methods this summer. TS wasn’t impressed.
What a waste of money — any cop worth their salt has been doing this for eons (just ask them). Granted there are many who aren’t worth their salt, but that is a management problem, but wait, cut that pay and those benefits, then the requirements and hold on, the cops will have to be interviewing each other.
That begs a clarification: The researchers won’t be charging the Police Department for their training. Lt. Chris Ellis of the department’s Training Division told me the SDPD’s going to hear what the researchers have to say, but stressed that the department won’t be paying them unless and until it’s agreed that the training is useful and worthwhile.
The researchers can apply for certification by the Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training, Ellis said. At that point, the department can decide whether or not the training’s worth investing in.
As for the fact that police officers have been using the methods taught by the researchers for years, that’s the first I’ve heard about that. I know quite a few police officers read this blog, so let me ask you: What do you think? Police officers, is this an innovative technique, or is this old hat? Let me know: will.carless@voiceofsandiego.org.