Educing Information: Interrogation - National Intelligence University

Good Cop/Bad Cop
One interrogation technique stands apart in the public consciousness as the
prototypical approach to interrogations and so merits brief discussion here: the
so-called good cop/bad cop technique (“GC/BC”). While there are few published
studies of specific techniques, GC/BC has generated unique interest. Rafaeli et al.
interviewed criminal interrogators and bill collectors, identifying five variations
on GC/BC (the formal term they use is “emotional contrast strategies”) that they
use to convey “a mix of expressed positive and negative emotions in order to
wield influence over target persons.” 528
1. Sequential good cop, bad cop
The suspect is first exposed to an interrogator who “consistently
displays either positive or negative emotion,” and then to a
second interrogator who displays a “contrasting demeanor.” 529
Anecdotal evidence suggests that beginning with a display of
negative emotions accentuates the suspect’s appreciation of the
subsequent, more civilized approach. 530
2. Simultaneous good cop, bad cop
The suspect is exposed to two interrogators, each displaying
either positive or negative emotions. 531 Interrogators may “not
only present different demeanors to the suspect, but also create
perceptual contrast by arguing with each other in front” of the
suspect about what type of treatment he deserved. 532
3. One person playing both roles
A single interrogator “vividly displays” both emotions to a target
person, alternating “between displaying a harsh, demanding
demeanor and a pleasant, friendly demeanor.” 533 The difficulty
with this approach is that each demeanor “must appear genuine
if the interrogator wishes to wield influence.” 534
4. Good cop in contrast to hypothetical bad cop
The interrogator “playing the good cop role communicates to
the [suspect] that if he or she does not comply with the good
528
Anat Rafaeli et al., “Emotional Contrast Strategies as Means of Social Influence: Lessons
from Criminal Interrogators and Bill Collectors,” The Academy of Management Journal 34, no. 4
(December 1991), 749-775, 752; in each variation, “good cop” refers to roles conveying positive and
supportive feelings such as warmth, friendliness, approval, respect, empathy, and sympathy, while
“bad cop” refers to conveying negative and unsupportive emotions such as coldness, disapproval, lack
of respect, and hostility (758).
529
Id., p. 761.
530
Id.
531
Id., p. 762.
532
Id.
533
Id., p. 762.
534
Id., p. 762-763.
195