The Hidden Key to Truth After Use of Force: Why the Cognitive Interview Is Essential

In law enforcement, few moments carry more weight than a Use of Force incident. Whether it involves hands-on control, less-lethal tools, or lethal force, the aftermath is a high-stakes environment. Emotions are elevated. Timelines blur. Witnesses are shaken. Officers are under pressure.

But what happens next is just as critical as the incident itself—the investigation.

Agencies rely on policy reviews, body cam footage, and officer statements. But the one tool that consistently delivers deeper, more reliable information is often missing from the process is the Cognitive Interview.

Why Traditional Interviews Fall Short

In high-stress incidents, memory does not behave the way most people expect. Adrenaline clouds detail. Officers may remember how something felt more than what was seen. Witnesses focus on fragments rather than the whole story.

Yet investigators often push forward using standard questions, procedural forms, or confrontational styles that miss the mark. These methods fail to access the kind of accurate, nuanced information that matters most in the aftermath of a Use of Force event.

This is where the Cognitive Interview becomes a game-changer.

What the Cognitive Interview Really Does

The Cognitive Interview is a structured, research-driven method designed to enhance memory recall. It works by creating the conditions necessary for people to access stored memories, especially from chaotic or traumatic situations.

It uses strategies like context reinstatement, open-ended prompts, and focused retrieval. It helps people reconstruct what happened instead of being steered by suggestion or pressure.

The result is a richer, more reliable account. Whether it’s from a civilian witness, a fellow officer, or a victim.

Why It’s Vital After Use of Force Incidents

Stress affects memory 

When people experience high-stress events, their ability to recall facts is compromised. The Cognitive Interview helps them slow down, rebuild the scene in their mind, and surface key details they might not even know they remembered.

It prevents false assumptions 

Poorly conducted interviews leave gaps. Those gaps get filled by assumptions, rumors, or media narratives. The Cognitive Interview gives the subject time and space to reflect, making it more likely you get the truth early, before misinformation spreads.

It strengthens your investigation 

Using this method sends a message that your agency is committed to professionalism, integrity, and doing things the right way. Prosecutors notice. Juries notice. The community notices.

It protects officers and their mental clarity 

After a Use of Force event, officers are often overwhelmed. The Cognitive Interview allows them to tell their story in a structured way that feels more like a debriefing and less like an interrogation. That reduces internal stress and increases investigative accuracy.

Every Agency Needs This Training

If your department is not using the Cognitive Interview, you are leaving valuable information on the table. Traditional interviews are easy. But they are not enough. Inconsistent statements, missing facts, and emotional confusion cost time, trust, and credibility.

At Proactive Leadership, we train departments nationwide to use this technique. It becomes part of your culture. Not just for big cases, but for every investigative contact that matters.

We teach your personnel to:

• Extract truthful information without leading

• Maximize memory through strategic questioning

• Protect the integrity of high-stress investigations

• Build trust during even the most sensitive conversations

Next Steps

If you are serious about improving how your agency handles Use of Force investigations, you need the right tools. That starts with how you ask questions. The Cognitive Interview is not about being soft. It is about being smart.

Let’s talk about bringing this training to your department.

📍 Visit www.ProactiveLeader.com 

📍 Or connect directly at www.JustinWAtherton.com

Truth is not discovered through pressure. It’s revealed through precision. And it all begins with how you ask the question.