To the editor: The claim by Fontana police officers that their interrogation techniques are acceptable because they’ve been used nationwide for the past 80 years is quite concerning. It’s unsettling to think that these methods, deemed effective by American officers, are seen as torture in other true democracies. The article “Cops lie to suspects during interrogations. Should detectives stick to the truth?” published on December 24, highlights this troubling issue.
When officers are convinced of a suspect’s guilt, they should present concrete evidence in court rather than resorting to lengthy, coercive, and dishonest interrogations. These tactics often lead to increased suspicion of false confessions, made simply to end what feels like torture.
We must also consider how frequently those subjected to such harsh interrogation methods are individuals of color, young, and possibly unaware of their rights to an attorney.
Marcy Bregman, Agoura Hills
