Constructing Truth: the FBI's (non)recording policy

Forbes ^ | 27 July, 2011 | Harvey Silverglate

[marktwain]

This is a 2011 article on the FBI policy of not recording interviews.

One of the reasons given for the policy: Recorded interviews might lead jurors to believe the FBI was coercive or misleading.

[Blood of Tyrants]

If the FBI ever asks to interview you, just tell them you’ll be recording the whole thing.

[marktwain]

In my personal experience with an FBI interview, I was told exactly that.

I wanted to record it. They said if I did, there would be no interview.

[raiderboy]

total lies, They record EVERYTHING!! Ask Martha Stewart!! This is such BS!!

[raiderboy]

total lies, They record EVERYTHING!! Ask Martha Stewart!! This is such BS!!

[marktwain]

total lies, They record EVERYTHING!! Ask Martha Stewart!! This is such BS!!

Quite a bit of difference between surreptitious recording and recording interviews.

[HiTech RedNeck]

That’s a good way at least to kibosh the interview....

[riverrunner]

Yes the best way to shut a FBI agent down is to have a recorder.

[fhayek]

Uh, they didn’t record Hillary...

[Fungi]

Nonsense. This policy is only in place to give the FBI maximum latitude to frame anyone for anything they feel is appropriate. They can spend million on a phony dossier, but cannot record interviews? Nonsense. This agency is antiquated and should be uprooted, washed inside out, and replaced. Unfortunately, the new one will be no better than the previous one.

[Manuel OKelley]

Most leo agencies dont want to be recorded ...not just fbi

IRS often wont talk to you either if you insist on recording them

I know there are plenty of good cops but the system in general is generally f*cked and geared at success via intimidation ...if for one year every single person charged with a crime demanded and went to trial the syatem would completely collapse...which leads me to the conclusion we have far too many laws.

[Rurudyne]

I would want my own recorder and my own recording, truth be told.

[marktwain]

Nonsense. This policy is only in place to give the FBI maximum latitude to frame anyone for anything they feel is appropriate. They can spend million on a phony dossier, but cannot record interviews? Nonsense. This agency is antiquated and should be uprooted, washed inside out, and replaced. Unfortunately, the new one will be no better than the previous one.

A lot of truth in your post.

The policy gives the FBI control over what is remembered and how it is remembered. It is an extremely powerful tool that puts most of the cards in the FBI's pockets.

But if the new agency will be just as bad, there is no reason to change, is there?

How about we require the FBI to record interviews, maybe wear body cameras?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

They said if I did, there would be no interview.

So did you tell them you still wanted to record it?

[Roccus]

What happens if, failing to have a recording device, one refuses to talk to agents?

[marktwain]

No.

I wanted to give them some information after 9/11.

So I did not insist on a recording.

Could of done it surreptitiously, of course.

[marktwain]

What happens if, failing to have a recording device, one refuses to talk to agents?

You tell them no. They go away.

[Roccus]

Thank you.

[raiderboy]

What a joke” they don’t record” my ass. They only one they did’nt record IN HISTORY was hillary!! Because they obstructed justice!! And those that fixed that felon’s case should spend life in prison.

[TexasGator]

“Tape recordings are almost never done because such recordation is – believe it or not – against formal written FBI policy. “

Apparently they didn’t read their link FBI policy memo they referenced and linked.