Personal Attention.
Aggressive Defense.

Photo of Thomas C. Mooney

3 lies police officers may tell during an investigation

On Behalf of | Oct 5, 2024 | Criminal Defense

Police officers are technically agents of the state. They are subject to numerous restrictions on how they behave themselves. Police officers have to advise people of their rights before questioning them. They have to limit the amount of force they use when taking someone into custody.

However, there are also many liberties that police officers can take when interacting with someone they suspect of criminal activity. Contrary to what people sometimes think, police officers can lie to them without complicating the state’s case later.

What are some of the most common lies that police officers tell people during criminal investigations?

Lies about state evidence

Sometimes, police officers want to pressure a suspect into a confession. They may achieve that goal by giving them a false sense of urgency about their situation. Telling someone that there is direct evidence tying them to a crime may lead to a confession or at least to the party providing more information to the police officer questioning them. Officers may lie about fingerprints, witnesses genetic materials or even confessions from co-conspirators.

Lies about their authority

Trying to convince an individual to confess to a crime can be very challenging. Police officers often apply intense pressure while attempting to convince someone to act against their own best interests. They might attempt to convince a defendant that they can limit the penalties they face or obtain lesser charges by confessing quickly. Police officers do not have the authority to limit penalties or change the charges brought by the prosecutor. However, they may be able to convince people to confess by telling them otherwise.

Lies about themselves

One of the most common manipulation tactics involves creating a false sense of camaraderie with the subject of an investigation. Police officers attempt to convince people that they understand them or have had similar experiences. They may outright lie about their personal values and prior experiences as a way of convincing an individual that they understand their perspective and want what is best for them. All of these attempts at manipulation ultimately have the same goal.

The whole purpose is to secure a confession or statements that implicate the defendant. Proving that a police officer lied during an investigation usually does not result in the courts setting aside evidence the way that proving a search was illegal could. The unfortunate reality is that defendants need to know and assert their rights while in state custody or run the risk of a poor outcome.

Talking to a criminal defense attorney immediately after arrest for a drug offense or other crime can help people navigate police questioning more effectively. Defendants who have attorneys present can more effectively avoid making mistakes, such as believing the lies police officers tell during an investigation.