Date of Award

12-22-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. John Caputo

Second Advisor

Dr. Giovanni Caputo

Abstract

Law enforcement officers are faced with many challenges throughout their careers. Part of this challenge is preparing for the wide range of people they encounter on a daily basis, including those from various cultures and subcultures. Encounters with citizens of various cultures can be daunting because of the intricacies involved with language and rituals specific to culture. Recognition of these complexities is essential for law enforcement to be effective and avoid engaging in communication styles that are offensive or demeaning. This project utilizes in-depth interview and ethnographic research to examine the investigative interview practices of police officers working in a custodial environment and the effect an inmate’s culture has on these practices. The results of this research combined with the application of Anxiety/Uncertainty Management Theory and Uncertainty Reduction Theory, LaRay Barna’s research on cultural stumbling blocks and researched investigative interview practices are utilized to develop a best practices model for intercultural investigative interviewing in a custodial environment. The curriculum Guidelines for Intercultural Investigative Interviewing provides police officers with a pragmatic approach to custodial investigative interviews, which accounts for variations in culture during intercultural investigative interviews.

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