Unit title
CJ501
Conduct interviews of persons suspected of committing an offence
Summary
This standard is about interviewing persons where there are grounds for suspicion regarding
their validity for travel, and/or where a potential offence may have been committed. It
includes preparing for the interview, and then conducting the interview using approved and
recognised interview techniques. Upon completion, it includes evaluating the outcomes and
determining any further actions required.
There are two elements:
1
Prepare to interview persons
2
Interview persons from whom further information is required
This standard was developed by Skills for Justice.
Skills for Justice
Final version approved September 2009
National Occupational Standards for the UK Border Agency
Page 1
Element
1
Prepare to interview persons
Performance Criteria
To meet the standard, you
1
identify and review all available information regarding the person to be interviewed,
including details regarding their identity, nationality, mode and route of travel, and the
circumstances necessitating the interview
2
identify and assess any factors affecting the person’s fitness for interview, and where
required, take the appropriate steps to address these
3
determine the appropriate time, location and resources for the interview and take the
necessary actions to arrange these
4
identify correctly where other parties need to be involved, including legal
representation, and ensure that appropriate arrangements are made, in line with the
traveller’s rights and your organisation’s procedures
5
arrange for the appropriate actions to ensure an accurate record of the interview
6
prepare and agree an interview plan which identifies clear aims and objectives, and is
designed to fulfil the needs of the investigation
7
maintain accurate and up-to-date records in line with your organisation’s procedures
Skills for Justice
Final version approved September 2009
National Occupational Standards for the UK Border Agency
Page 2
Element
2
Interview persons from whom further information is required
Performance Criteria
To meet the standard, you
1
inform all present of the interview structure and the reason for the interview
2
ensure that all necessary paperwork is served correctly
3
ensure that the interviewee and any others present are aware of their rights, roles and
responsibilities
4
seek the interviewee’s consent, for the interview to be recorded, where appropriate,
and progress the interview accordingly
5
record the interview, where appropriate, using the appropriate equipment correctly, in
line with your organisation’s procedures
6
engage with the interviewee appropriately, according to their behaviour and using
relevant interview techniques and communication methods
7
conduct the interview in accordance with the interview plan, whilst maintaining
flexibility in response to the interviewee’s behaviour and attitude
8
challenge correctly any inconsistencies in the interviewee’s responses to the
questioning and in the information provided
9
ensure that breaks are provided during the interview in line with your organisation’s
procedures
10
address interviewee in an ethical manner, respecting their needs with regard to race,
diversity and human rights
11
maintain the security and welfare of the interviewee, yourself and others present
during the interview
12
deal with inappropriate behaviour promptly and correctly
13
summarise the points arising from the interview and clarify whether the interviewee
has anything further to add prior to closing the interview
14
evaluate the outcomes and identify the way forward
15
inform the interviewee, and all further relevant parties of the way forward, including
where relevant, any legal processes
16
issue any necessary documentation, explaining clearly to the person its purpose and
the reason for its issue
17
document fully all decisions, actions, options and outcomes in line with your
organisation’s procedures
Skills for Justice
Final version approved September 2009
National Occupational Standards for the UK Border Agency
Page 3
18
hand over responsibility for the interviewee correctly to the relevant person where they
are to remain in detention, providing the person with necessary information regarding
the interviewee’s welfare and further action
Skills for Justice
Final version approved September 2009
National Occupational Standards for the UK Border Agency
Page 4
Unit
CJ501
Conduct interviews of persons suspected of committing an offence
Knowledge and Understanding
To meet the standard, you need to know and understand
1
the legal and organisational requirements relating to the interviewing of persons at UK
borders where there are grounds for suspicion regarding their credibility, or where a
potential offence may have been committed, and their impact for your area of operations
2
the legislation, policies and procedures relating to data protection, health and safety,
diversity and their impact for your area of operations
3
the role of your organisation in maintaining and enhancing the security of the UK, and
the principal areas of activity undertaken
4
how to deal with people being interviewed and relevant others in an ethical manner
5
the rights, roles and responsibilities of people being interviewed and others who may be
present in the interview
6
screening procedures relating to persons at UK borders, the information required and
how to undertake a risk assessment of those travelling through the borders
7
the indicators of potential risk and how to assess these
8
the nature of those persons who are subject to control and the actions to take in
addressing such travellers
9
the types of forgery applied to travel documentation and associated developing trends,
and the signs that such documentation may not be legitimate
10
the papers to be served before and as a result of the outcomes of interviews, and the
procedures for ensuring that this occurs
Interview preparation
11
how to establish the interviewee’s fitness for interview
12
the suitable timings for interviews
13
the locations in which interviews can take place
14
how to plan an interview and develop an interview plan
15
circumstances where it is appropriate for legal representatives or others to attend the
interview, and how to determine and provide pre-interview briefings to legal
representatives
16
the rules of evidence and disclosure
17
what to do when departures from normal practices are required
Skills for Justice
Final version approved September 2009
National Occupational Standards for the UK Border Agency
Page 5
Unit
CJ501
Conduct interviews of travellers
Knowledge and Understanding (continued)
Conducting interviews
18
procedures and reasons for assuming responsibility for persons in detention
19
how to maintain the security and welfare of yourself, interviewees and others during
interviews
20
the procedures and reasons for informing the traveller and relevant others of their rights,
roles and responsibilities
21
the cautions, warnings and statements to be given to persons being interviewed,
including those in detention and those not under arrest
22
circumstances where an interview might be recorded, and where necessary, how to
record interviews using recording equipment
23
approved interviewing techniques and communication methods for interviews
24
possible barriers to communication, their causes and methods for overcoming these
25
procedures and reasons for handing over responsibility for persons in detention to the
relevant authority upon completion of interviews
26
how to deal with potential defences and reasonable explanations
27
the types of further action which may be taken and how these should be initiated
28
the importance of notifying all relevant personnel of the outcomes of your interview and
how to do this
29
the importance of maintaining full, accurate and up-to-date records of interviews and
how to do this
30
your own role and responsibilities and from whom assistance and advice can be sought
where necessary
Skills for Justice
Final version approved September 2009
National Occupational Standards for the UK Border Agency
Page 6