Sociolinguistic Research

Abstract

A Linguistically Informed Approach to Police Interviewing 225If we take impact to mean the demonstrable outcomes of the application of social research to social problems, it is a fairly straightforward matter to categorise the activity described here as achieving impact. However, it is worth keeping in mind that many definitions of what constitutes a "social problem" are guided by political and governmental objectives (Willig 1999), rather than genuine concern for human wellbeing. In our original research projects on which this activity is based (Haworth 2009; MacLeod 2010) we were both firmly guided by a commitment to instigating the raising of awareness of sociolinguistic issues among legal and police practitioners, and, in turn, positive change in professional practices. The production of meaningful outcomes for police IRs, in turn leading to improved conditions for individuals who encounter the police, has thus been high on the agenda from the outset.Through engaging with police officers and allowing the research to be guided and adapted according to their professional requirements, our activity represents, we hope, the best method for attempts at securing human wellbeing.It should be noted that the relationship between critical analysis and progressive practice is fraught with difficulties. As highlighted by Willig (1999), even scientific observations cannot be detached and uninvolved, and having originally taken a distinctively Critical Discourse Analytical approach to the research, it was necessary for us to adapt this approach in order to engage in a meaningful two-way process with practitioners. Thus, the approach we take here is in line with Roberts (2003), who argues that applied linguists can and should intervene, but that "we need to do it collaboratively and reflexively working with other professionals from the initial design stage through to mutual critique and evaluation" (Roberts 2003: 147).In this chapter we discuss the relevance of various theories of language and communication to the police interview context, but more importantly the application and impact of this knowledge within the context of collaboratively designed IR training materials.We collected feedback from all our participants, and this forms an integral part of the activities.