Essex Police detectives who will shortly be piloting video interviews are being told not to wear cartoon character neckties in case jurors get the wrong impression.
Popular ties featuring Homer Simpson and Mickey Mouse could leave them open to riducule, according to guideliness issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the National Police Training body.
CID officers are also advised to avoid negative body language such as scratching their noses or looking bored.
Essex Police are poised to purchase video equipment later this year enabling them to film interviews with suspects later this year in a pilot scheme with four other forces.
An Essex police spokeswoman said: "We have no hard and fast rules relating to neckties, however, as in any other working environment there are instances where wearing a Mickey Mouse tie would give out the wrong signals, and clearly video interviews is a case in point."
Published Friday, March 22, 2002
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