When being cross-examined, how can an officer enhance his or her credibility in the eyes of the jury? Briefly outline some behaviors to avoid as well as some behaviors to display
What will be an ideal response?
Posttrial interviews of jurors reveal some body language or behaviors that can weaken
a witness's credibility:
• appears ill at ease or nervous
• uses a defensive or evasive tone of voice
• avoids eye contact
• crosses arms defensively across chest
• quibbles over common terms
• sits stiffly
• looks to attorney for assistance during crossexamination
• cracks jokes inappropriately
• uses lots of "ah's" or "uh's"
In contrast, jurors have noted that several behaviors enhance credibility:
• displays an even temperament on direct and cross
• doesn't become angry or defensive when pressed
• appears relaxed and at ease
• is likeable and polite
• maintains eye contact with attorney and jury
• is not affected by interruptions or objections
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Raymond Fosdick suggested that for a sound police administrative organization to develop all of the following must be met except
a. the relationship between supervision and work must be well balanced b. the different parts of the mechanism must be adjusted to each other c. the leadership should be close to the community d. the whole machine must be adapted to its task
The Special Activities Division is a group of paramilitary officers within the
a. CIA b. FBI c. DHS d. Army
In 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the federal Megan’s Law and an amendment to the Jacob Wetterling Act and those two laws together became a federal requirement for states to pass statues for ______.
a. holding judges accountable for sentencing of sex offenders and enforced removal of sex offenders in certain neighborhoods b. publicly showing sex-offender pictures and community notifications c. holding judges accountable for sentencing of sex offenders and requiring community meetings for notification d. sex-offender registration and community notification
Without probable cause, the evidence will be thrown out of court
a. True b. False Indicate whether the statement is true or false