NCJ Number
171196
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 21 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1997) Pages: 54-55
Date Published
1997
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article outlines 13 points for police officers to remember in providing effective courtroom testimony.
Abstract
Although there is no guaranteed method or technique for ensuring that a police officer's court testimony will produce a conviction, there are some ways for an officer to increase the chances that this will occur. First, officers must be thoroughly familiar with the case about which they are testifying. Second, the prosecuting attorney and the officer-witness must converse so that the prosecutor has complete knowledge of all facts that may arise from the testimony. Third, officer-witnesses must be truthful and professional; and fourth, officers must look professional in their dress while on the stand. Fifth, an officer should document his/her specialized training, experience, and expertise. Other principles of testifying are to communicate to the jury, use demonstrative evidence, keep the jury interested, enhance credibility, force the defense attorney to prove his/her case, control the testimony, maintain a professional composure, and testify in a professional manner.