PACE Suspect Interview
Course Overview
This practical course is designed for both new and experienced investigators, as well as those leading or directing criminal investigations. It focuses on developing a clear understanding of the requirements of PACE, specifically Codes C (detention, treatment, questioning) and Code E (audio‑recorded interviews).
Moving beyond theory, this training focuses on the practical application of the PEACE framework and the critical decisions that ensure your PACE suspect interview is fully admissible in court (Form MG15 – Record of Interview (ROTI)).
You will develop confident mastery of interview planning and preparation, fair and balanced pre‑disclosure strategies, and the ability to judge exactly how much information to provide to solicitors in order to maintain control while meeting all legal obligations.
You will learn how to challenge effectively with expert support, using PACE‑compliant suspect‑interview techniques that avoid oppressive tactics while encouraging meaningful disclosure. You will also develop robust strategies for managing “no comment” interviews and building cases capable of supporting adverse inference where appropriate.
By the end of the programme, you will be able to lead the interview room with confidence, managing both legal representatives and uncooperative suspects with clarity, control and professionalism.
Course details
Duration: 1 Day
Audience: New | Experienced Investigators
CPD: 6 hrs
Delivery: Virtual | face-to-face
(in-house)
Fees: £275 pp | One-Day Course Prices
Course Code: 26PACE1
Additional Focus
This programme is delivered as a practical, scenario‑based training, giving participants structured preparation for real PACE‑compliant interviews. Delegates work through PACE crib sheet, engaging and practicable exercises, case‑based planning tasks, the room and audio‑recording set‑ups, and simulated solicitor interactions to build confidence and operational readiness.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Explain and apply key PACE and Codes principles in the context of strategic suspect interview planning.
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Identify who to interview in corporate and organisational cases
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Make defensible decisions about pre‑interview disclosure, including what to disclose, what not to disclose, and how to record the rationale.
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Assess when written submissions and interview‑by‑letter requests are appropriate or risky in a given case.
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Work constructively with solicitors while maintaining control of the interview process and understanding their professional role and limits.
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Use the PEACE model as a live, flexible tool rather than a tick‑box checklist during real interviews.
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Apply practical techniques such as the “five‑second rule” and structured challenge to manage “no comment” interviews and difficult dynamics.
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Factor potential Out of Court Resolutions (disposals), including considerations for Simple Cautions for adult offenders, into overall interview and case strategy without undermining evidential integrity or proportionality.
Resources
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
PACE’s nine (9) Codes of Practice set clear limits on police (investigators) powers and ensure the protection of public rights (last update, early-2026):
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Code A 2023 Exercise by police officers of statutory powers to search a person or a vehicle without first making an arrest and the need for a police officer to make a record of a stop or encounter
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Code B 2023 Police powers to search premises and to seize and retain property found on premises and persons
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Code C 2023 Requirements for the detention, treatment and questioning of suspects not related to terrorism in police custody by police officers. Includes the requirement to explain a person’s rights while detained and the requirement to explain the rights of a person who has not been arrested (voluntary interview) that apply to a voluntary interview.
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Code D 2023 Main methods used by the police to identify people in connection with the investigation of offences and the keeping of accurate and reliable criminal records
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Code E 2018 Audio recording of interviews with suspects in the police station
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Code F 2018 Visual recording with sound of interviews with suspects - there is no statutory requirement on police officers to visually record interviews, but the contents of this code should be considered if an interviewing officer decides to make a visual recording with sound of an interview with a suspect
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Code G 2012 Powers of arrest under section 24 the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 as amended by section 110 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005
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Code H 2023 Requirements for the detention, treatment and questioning of suspects related to terrorism in police custody by police officers. Includes the requirement to explain a person’s rights while detained in connection with terrorism
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Code I 2023 Detention, treatment and questioning by police of persons in detention under section 27 of, and Schedule 6 to, the National Security Act 2023
Read previous consultations which contributed to the development of revised codes.
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