As we know assistant principals wear many hats. In particular at a
high school you sometimes have to play detective, like those Law and Order
guys. My favorite is Detective Robert Goren (Criminal Intent). He has a way of
playing the interviewees emotions and staying ahead of the answer he is
looking for, using mind tricks to manipulate and more importantly understanding
human nature.
In interviewing a
student in an alleged drug issue, theft, fight, etc. can be quite be tricky. You
want to allow due process, but at the same time you want to find the guilty
party, and it can turn into a game of cat and mouse.
In the beginning
of the investigation you have to be patient. It is important to interview
suspects and/or parties in the matter, and get exact details from them. It is a
good strategy to take notes. When interviewing you want to get them to be
specific about their location, the time, their specific actions, what they
might have said, their motives, and any communication by phone. If you are
unsure about something they said, then ask again but in a different manner,
here is the point your gut instincts might kick in, and you might catch them in
a lie.
I honestly believe
young people and their communication skills have a difficult time keeping a lie
on track, to their parents or to administrators. Especially if you keep
pressing. The key though is patience. Another key element is interviewing all
the parties, and then using information from one to another student, and trying
to tie up loose ends in their story. As a police officer or a trial
lawyer might say, they don't ask any question they may know the answer to
already. The trick is having the right information.
Students can make
15 minutes look like an hour or 2 minutes. They speak in generalities in their
story telling. Be specific in your questioning, and you will get success in
catching a culprit and protecting your campus culture, climate and
safety.
Joe
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