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Study targets police interrogation policies in Va.

By WTOP Staff

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A new study says some law enforcement agencies in Virginia don’t have written interrogation policies.

A survey of more than 100 agencies found that nearly a third lack written policies. Recording of interrogations is required by only a handful of agencies.

The study’s author, University of Virginia School of Law professor Brandon L. Garrett, tells the Richmond Times-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1rUZgLa ) that properly conducted and recorded police interrogations can help prevent false confessions.

Students in U.Va.’s Innocence Project Student Group contacted more than 180 law enforcement agencies and obtained 116 policies through Freedom of Information Act Requests.

Garrett says 58 agencies didn’t have written policies, including 15 sheriff’s offices without law enforcement responsibilities. Eleven others declined to provide their policies.

None of the policies provided guidance on interrogating intellectually disabled individuals.

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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.timesdispatch.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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