Career Development

Whose Side Are You On?

Change.  A scary word, and a difficult concept to grasp for many.  Scarier and more troubling are the following reactions we often hear to a suggestion of change: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” “But that’s the way we’ve always done it” “I’ve been doing this for (X) amount of years” I’m sure we have all heard some of the above, and probably have even caught ourselves saying...

I’m WZ Trained – What’s Next?

One of the most common questions we get at our training seminars on Interview & Interrogation Techniques is: “What’s next?” This is a great question considering attendees just sat through at least a 16 hour program packed with an enormous amount of content. This highly educational information certainly increased the knowledge of those attending, but did little to increase their actual skills. I can read countless Golf Digest magazines,...

4th Quarter Playbook

While a football game can take only 60 minutes of actual playing time, the preparation for such a game takes 12 months of hard work.  There are a lot of similarities between a game and life.  Just like in the game, we are committed to winning. Not just you, but your organization’s goal is focused on winning as well. One of the things I always tell my children is...

Tools of the Trade: Mastering Each Method

When it comes to home improvement or fixing a car we all are well aware that multiple tools are needed to get the job done efficiently and effectively.  Using the wrong tool may delay the process or result in even further damage.  This same rule applies to interviewing methods, an important toolbox for any investigator.  It is essential that investigators are aware there are many tools at their disposal...

Top 10 Reasons for Becoming an IAI Member

As the International Association of Interviewers (IAI) enters its 5th successful year, I find myself reflecting upon the many questions I have been asked about the IAI, and the value it brings. Said differently, over the years several interview and interrogation professionals had asked me what value an IAI membership would bring to them. The answers, of course, came easily. However, I can’t help but think there must be...

Law Enforcement is a Profession, Change is Constant, and People Fear Change

In January of 1977 this author reported to the Chicago Police Academy as a recruit and in June of 2006 he retired as a Detective. In May of 2008, this same author was hired by the Cook County State Attorney’s Office, spending the next six years as an investigator. Having survived just under thirty-six years in law-enforcement, the author now has the ability to look back and draw the...