States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
N.J. Gov. Sherrill Announces Nomination of Paul Thomas Urbish to Lead the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
TRENTON, New Jersey, May 12 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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Governor Sherrill Announces Nomination of Paul Thomas Urbish to Lead the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
Governor Mikie Sherrill and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today announced the Governor's nomination of Paul Thomas Urbish, a director at the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC), to lead the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), as ABC prepares for events associated with upcoming World Cup matches.
An attorney who
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TRENTON, New Jersey, May 12 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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Governor Sherrill Announces Nomination of Paul Thomas Urbish to Lead the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
Governor Mikie Sherrill and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today announced the Governor's nomination of Paul Thomas Urbish, a director at the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC), to lead the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), as ABC prepares for events associated with upcoming World Cup matches.
An attorney whonow heads the CRC's Office of Compliance and Investigations, Urbish has worked in public service for approximately a decade, playing different roles in state government including at the Department of Community Affairs and ABC. He served as a deputy attorney general for ABC from 2018 to 2021, before taking a position with the CRC and rising to his present leadership role. If confirmed by the State Senate, Urbish would oversee the agency that regulates the production and sale of alcoholic beverages and enforces liquor laws.
Kirstin Krueger has been serving as Interim ABC Director since April 1, 2024. Kirstin has been in State service for seven years, first as Counsel to the Attorney General before joining ABC as Deputy Director.
"With his background in licensing, investigations, and regulating the products of New Jersey's burgeoning legal cannabis industry, and his experience with alcoholic beverage permitting and appeals, Paul understands the important balance between enabling businesses to thrive and ensuring compliance with guardrails and consumer safety," said Governor Sherrill. "His history of regulating and fostering a fledging industry will be an asset to the ABC, which similarly oversees a sector that is constantly undergoing transformation and forms a vital part of New Jersey's economy."
"As ABC continues to streamline processes and build an alcohol regulation system based in integrity, safety, and economic opportunity, we welcome Paul Urbish's exceptional leadership to balance the needs of industry while protecting residents. I look forward to him joining our leadership team at the Department of Law and Public Safety," said Attorney General Davenport. "I also want to express my deep gratitude to Kirstin Krueger for her service as Interim ABC Director. Kirstin came into the role after major legislative changes were enacted and, among other accomplishments, has ensured an effective framework for the variety of events associated with the World Cup."
"I'm grateful to Governor Sherrill for the opportunity to rejoin ABC and I'm excited to work with Attorney General Davenport and the ABC team," said Paul Urbish. "I look forward to working diligently to protect residents, ensure that local businesses are operated lawfully and responsibly, and that our businesses have the necessary flexibility to accommodate an unprecedented wave of tourism this summer."
As the director of the CRC's Office of Compliance and Investigations, Urbish oversees the regulation and investigation of cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, testing labs, and dispensaries.
Prior to joining the CRC, he was a Deputy Attorney General at ABC, where he provided legal interpretations regarding matters including appeals from municipal action, applications for permits, and municipal ordinance review.
Urbish received his bachelor of arts in history from the College of New Jersey and his juris doctor from Temple University's James E. Beasley School of Law.
ABC regulates the manufacture, distribution, sale, and transportation of all alcoholic beverages in New Jersey. ABC's statutory mission is to regulate and control the alcoholic beverage industry in order to foster moderation and responsibility in consumption of alcoholic beverages, to protect the citizens of New Jersey by assuring lawful, proper, and fair trade practices to maintain the stability of the industry, and protect the collection of state taxes imposed on alcoholic beverages.
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/governor-sherrill-announces-nomination-of-paul-thomas-urbish-to-lead-the-division-of-alcoholic-beverage-control/
N.H. Gov. Ayotte, Senator Shaheen, and USDA Announce Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest Will Remain Open
CONCORD, New Hampshire, May 12 -- Gov. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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Governor Ayotte, Senator Shaheen, and USDA Announce Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest Will Remain Open
Following conversations between Governor Kelly Ayotte, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Governor Ayotte and Senator Shaheen confirmed that the Forest Service is not closing the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. USDA will continue to evaluate plans at Bartlett Experimental Forests to ensure the continued stability
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CONCORD, New Hampshire, May 12 -- Gov. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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Governor Ayotte, Senator Shaheen, and USDA Announce Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest Will Remain Open
Following conversations between Governor Kelly Ayotte, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Governor Ayotte and Senator Shaheen confirmed that the Forest Service is not closing the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. USDA will continue to evaluate plans at Bartlett Experimental Forests to ensure the continued stabilityof these critical research sites in New Hampshire.
"New Hampshire's forests are an essential part of our economy, our environment, and our way of life," said Governor Ayotte. "I had a productive conversation with Secretary Rollins and Senator Shaheen, and I appreciate USDA's commitment to keeping these important research forests operating."
"Research from Hubbard Brook and Bartlett has guided forest stewardship across New England for the better part of a century, and we simply can't afford to lose that," added Senator Shaheen. "I'm relieved that the Administration heard New Hampshire's calls, and I appreciate Secretary Rollins' commitment to reexamine the initial proposal that would close facilities at Bartlett. It's critical that we see a meaningful change in plans. I am also grateful for Governor Ayotte's partnership in protecting these cherished places. The lab and other facilities at Bartlett must remain open in New Hampshire to continue the decades-long research projects that serve our entire country while addressing new challenges."
Secretary Rollins confirmed that there are no proposals affecting the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest or any of its associated facilities. Secretary Rollins also committed to review plans at Bartlett Experimental Forest. The Forest Service recognizes its significance to the community, the agency, and scientific partners and is currently developing a five-year research plan with the White Mountain National Forest.
The Governor and Secretary Rollins discussed the importance of New Hampshire's experimental forests, and their shared commitment for continued support of these research sites, along with New Hampshire's forestry and timber industries across the state.
Additionally, the Governor and the Secretary also reviewed opportunities for USDA to invest in improvements to facilities at the Bartlett Experimental Forest, including current repairs to the onsite bunkhouse. Senator Shaheen and Governor Ayotte additionally requested increased staffing support for the forests and agreed to further conversations about the topic. As a senior member of
the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Shaheen helped secure increased funding for research and language directing the Forest Service to fill vacancies at experimental forests in the northeast.
The Hubbard Brook and Bartlett Experimental Forests are nationally recognized research sites that contribute to forest management, environmental science, and economic activity in New Hampshire and across the region.
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Original text here: https://www.governor.nh.gov/news/governor-ayotte-senator-shaheen-and-usda-announce-hubbard-brook-experimental-forest-will
N.H. Gov. Ayotte Highlights Rural Health Transformation Efforts During CMS Visit
CONCORD, New Hampshire, May 12 -- Gov. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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Governor Ayotte Highlights Rural Health Transformation Efforts During CMS Visit
Governor Kelly Ayotte last week welcomed officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to New Hampshire to highlight the State's approach to implementing the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) - a historic federal investment with more than $204 million funding for the first year to make healthcare more affordable and accessible across New Hampshire's rural communities.
New
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CONCORD, New Hampshire, May 12 -- Gov. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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Governor Ayotte Highlights Rural Health Transformation Efforts During CMS Visit
Governor Kelly Ayotte last week welcomed officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to New Hampshire to highlight the State's approach to implementing the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) - a historic federal investment with more than $204 million funding for the first year to make healthcare more affordable and accessible across New Hampshire's rural communities.
NewHampshire, which received the largest grant award in New England, is one of the first states selected by CMS for an in-person visit.
"Our GO-NORTH team and partners across New Hampshire's rural health care system are hard at work implementing our plan to help every Granite Stater access high-quality, affordable care closer to home," said Governor Ayotte. "I was glad to welcome CMS officials to our state to get a closer look at the great work we're doing to make sure this effort is successful and sustainable well into the future."
Governor Ayotte emphasized her administration's commitment to the success of the program, including the creation of GO-NORTH (the Governor's Office of New Opportunities for Rural Health Transformation) to coordinate implementation across state government, health care providers, and community partners.
During the visit, CMS officials met with state leaders in Concord to review New Hampshire's implementation strategy, designed to be nimble, coordinated, and locally driven.
The delegation then traveled north to see how these efforts are taking shape in rural communities, beginning in Warren at the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC); Ammonoosuc Community Health Services' Mount Moosilauke Health Center, where officials learned how the federally qualified health center is sustaining rural primary care services from a restored historic train depot. In Whitefield, CMS officials visited another FQHC Ammonoosuc Community Health Services location to learn how the organization is expanding food access, community programming, and preventive health supports to improve community health outcomes.
On the second day, CMS officials visited Littleton Regional Hospital, where local leaders discussed how earlier investments helped build a regional system of care connecting EMS, primary care, and hospital services. Local EMS leaders emphasized the improved outcomes for rural communities when local coordination is prioritized, and investments are made at a local level.
The visit also included a stop at White Mountains Community College, where CMS officials met with students and partners working to expand New Hampshire's rural healthcare workforce through training programs, career pathways, clinical simulation and new incentives to work in rural communities.
The visit concluded in Plymouth at Little Antlers Center, a childcare facility operated by the FQHC, Mid-State Health Center, highlighting the connection between healthcare workforce, childcare access, and community well-being.
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Original text here: https://www.governor.nh.gov/news/governor-ayotte-highlights-rural-health-transformation-efforts-during-cms-visit
Innovation on the Mall: More Than 40 N.C. Community Colleges Showcase Future-Ready Workforce
RALEIGH, North Carolina, May 12 -- North Carolina Community College System issued the following news:
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Innovation on the Mall: More than 40 NC Community Colleges Showcase Future-Ready Workforce
Last Wednesday, the heart of Raleigh was transformed into a hands-on laboratory for North Carolina's workforce development future. More than 40 of the state's 58 community colleges took over Halifax Mall for Community College Day, providing legislators with a front-row seat to the high-tech training programs fueling the state's top-ranked business climate.
From the coast to the mountains, campuses
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, May 12 -- North Carolina Community College System issued the following news:
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Innovation on the Mall: More than 40 NC Community Colleges Showcase Future-Ready Workforce
Last Wednesday, the heart of Raleigh was transformed into a hands-on laboratory for North Carolina's workforce development future. More than 40 of the state's 58 community colleges took over Halifax Mall for Community College Day, providing legislators with a front-row seat to the high-tech training programs fueling the state's top-ranked business climate.
From the coast to the mountains, campusesbrought interactive exhibits that showcased the unique ways they are shaping the future workforce. Legislators and visitors navigated a corridor of innovation, engaging with displays ranging from advanced manufacturing and skilled trades to healthcare simulations and cybersecurity hubs.
"What we saw today was partnership, bringing cutting edge innovation to our legislative leaders in Raleigh," said Alex Fagg, Vice President of Government and External Relations at the System. "We change lives for our students and families, providing them with a direct connection to programs that meet business and industry demands. Our Community College System will continue to deliver and do our part to keep North Carolina the top state for business and workforce."
The event offered more than just static displays; it served as a live demonstration of how the Propel NC business model is being put into practice. By focusing on high-demand, high-wage sectors, the System is ensuring that North Carolinians are equipped with the exact skills required by modern industry.
Lawmakers had the opportunity to speak directly with students and faculty about the tangible impact of these programs. These conversations highlighted how community colleges serve as the state's primary engine for workforce development, opportunity, and innovation; rapidly adapting to the "speed of business" to keep North Carolina competitive on a national stage.
The event served as a powerful reminder that when community colleges and industry leaders collaborate, the entire state prospers.
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Original text here: https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/news/innovation-on-the-mall-more-than-40-nc-community-colleges-showcase-future-ready-workforce/
Ga. Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Lowering Taxes and Supporting Economic Growth
ATLANTA, Georgia, May 12 -- Gov. Brian P. Kemp, R-Georgia, issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Lowering Taxes and Supporting Economic Growth
Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, Office of Planning and Budget Director Rick Dunn, Georgia Department of Revenue Commissioner David Burge, members of the General Assembly, and other economic and business partners, signed multiple bills into law today supporting the state's economy and reducing the tax burden on hardworking Georgians.
"We've
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ATLANTA, Georgia, May 12 -- Gov. Brian P. Kemp, R-Georgia, issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Lowering Taxes and Supporting Economic Growth
Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, Office of Planning and Budget Director Rick Dunn, Georgia Department of Revenue Commissioner David Burge, members of the General Assembly, and other economic and business partners, signed multiple bills into law today supporting the state's economy and reducing the tax burden on hardworking Georgians.
"We'veremained the No. 1 state for business for a historic 12 consecutive years because of our commitment to growing opportunity and budgeting conservatively," said Governor Brian Kemp. "That approach has allowed us to return billions of dollars to taxpayers, and the legislation I signed today will keep that momentum going as we further lower our state income tax rate, deliver on meaningful property tax relief, and ensure job creators have the opportunity to grow and thrive in the Peach State."
"I am proud that we have cut taxes every year I've been Lt. Governor, and I want to thank Governor Kemp for leading the charge," said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. "The bills being signed into law today help every family and business in Georgia. We are also supporting school choice and parents who want to decide on what's best for their child's educational needs by expanding the GOAL scholarship tax credit. This is a great day for Georgians."
"When Georgians across the state made clear that affordability was the number one issue they faced, Republican leadership delivered real, meaningful relief that allows hardworking taxpayers to keep more of their money where it belongs - in their pockets," said Speaker of the House Jon Burns. "From another historic income tax rebate and rate reduction to property tax relief and lower costs at the pump, the Georgia House was proud to champion measures delivering results when and where they were needed most."
Governor Kemp signed nine pieces of legislation, included below:
HB 1129, sponsored by Representative Devan Seabaugh, was a legislative priority of Governor Kemp. It creates guardrails for state-designated enterprise zones.
HB 1185, sponsored by Representative Chuck Efstration, was another priority for the Kemp Administration. It modernizes complex corporate litigation policies and revises some standards around the Georgia Statewide Business Court.
SB 33 was a priority of Speaker Jon Burns. It enacts broad property tax reform by establishing a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) aimed at providing homeowner tax relief and improving local fiscal management.
SB 111 was supported by Representative Angie O'Steen and expands the eligibility criteria for rural hospital organizations to include rural freestanding emergency departments and lowers indigent care thresholds, ultimately broadening access to tax-credit-eligible contributions for rural healthcare providers in Georgia.
HB 328, sponsored by Representative Kasey Carpenter, increases the tax credit for student scholarship organizations (SSO), expands student eligibility, and increases accountability measures for program providers.
HB 445, sponsored by Representative Chuck Martin, expands the right of business owners in Georgia to appeal tax reassessments of certain high-value tangible personal property to a hearing officer, and establishes new qualifications and procedures for officers handling appeals.
HB 463 lowers Georgia's state income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99%, beginning January 1, 2026. It includes provisions for further annual reductions of the state income tax rate as well as increases of the standard deduction. It raises the retirement income exclusion to $70,000 beginning in 2027 and introduces temporary tax exclusions for qualified overtime compensation and cash tips through 2028. It also repeals some tax credits and sales and use tax exemptions. This legislation fulfills Governor Kemp's promise to accelerate the largest state income tax cut in state history, reaching a rate below 5% three years ahead of schedule.
HB 987, sponsored by Representative Todd Jones, codifies a voluntary framework for independent contractors to receive portable benefits through dedicated accounts, allowing contributions without affecting their employment classification.
HB 1209, sponsored by Representative Ron Stephens, establishes a limited sales and use tax exemption for construction materials used in specific developments near certain state-owned convention facilities.
Governor Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp are grateful for all those who contributed to the legislation signed today.
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Original text here: https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-05-11/gov-kemp-signs-legislation-lowering-taxes-and-supporting-economic-growth
Calif. Gov. Newsom's Steve Jobs Innovation Coin Goes Into Circulation Tomorrow
SACRAMENTO, California, May 12 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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Governor Gavin Newsom's Steve Jobs innovation coin goes into circulation tomorrow
Governor Gavin Newsom today celebrated the public release of California's American Innovation Coin honoring Steve Jobs -- the visionary entrepreneur and inventor selected by Governor Newsom to represent the Golden State in the U.S. Mint's American Innovation Coin Program. The coin will be available to the public beginning tomorrow.
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"The innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Steve
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SACRAMENTO, California, May 12 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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Governor Gavin Newsom's Steve Jobs innovation coin goes into circulation tomorrow
Governor Gavin Newsom today celebrated the public release of California's American Innovation Coin honoring Steve Jobs -- the visionary entrepreneur and inventor selected by Governor Newsom to represent the Golden State in the U.S. Mint's American Innovation Coin Program. The coin will be available to the public beginning tomorrow.
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"The innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of SteveJobs embodied the best of California, creating the future we all know today. His tenacity and fearless pursuit of the California Dream made so many American dreams possible. May we all attempt to fill his shoes as we seek our own California Dreams."
- Governor Gavin Newsom
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The American Innovation $1 Coin Program, launched by the U.S. Mint in 2018, honors groundbreaking innovations and innovators from every U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia.
Governor Newsom selected Jobs to represent California in recognition of his extraordinary impact on technology, storytelling, communication, and modern life. Jobs co-founded Apple and helped pioneer products that fundamentally changed personal computing and mobile technology, including the Apple II, Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. He also served as co-founder and CEO of Pixar Animation Studios, helping launch the world's first fully computer-animated feature film, "Toy Story."
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About the coin
The coin shows a young Steve Jobs sitting in front of a quintessentially Northern California landscape of oak-covered rolling hills. Captured in a moment of reflection, his posture and expression reflect how this environment inspired his vision to transform complex technology into something as intuitive and organic as nature itself. According to the Steve Jobs Archive, who championed this design with support from the Governor, Jobs felt a deep sense of connection to and gratitude for California's natural beauty.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/05/11/american-innovation-coin/
N.M. Public Safety Dept.: Finding the Truth - P.E.A.C.E. Investigator Interview Course at Academy Emphasizes Gathering Accurate Information Using Non-Coercive Techniques
SANTA FE, New Mexico, May 12 -- The New Mexico Department of Public Safety issued the following news release:
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Finding the truth: P.E.A.C.E. Investigator Interview Course at academy emphasizes gathering accurate information using non-coercive techniques
The Department of Public Safety's New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy recently hosted a 'game-changing' class for 12 law enforcement professionals.
The class - a 5-day P.E.A.C.E (Preparation and Planning; Engage and Explain; Account, Clarification, Challenge; Closure; and Evaluation), Investigator Interview Course managed by Forensic Interview
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SANTA FE, New Mexico, May 12 -- The New Mexico Department of Public Safety issued the following news release:
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Finding the truth: P.E.A.C.E. Investigator Interview Course at academy emphasizes gathering accurate information using non-coercive techniques
The Department of Public Safety's New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy recently hosted a 'game-changing' class for 12 law enforcement professionals.
The class - a 5-day P.E.A.C.E (Preparation and Planning; Engage and Explain; Account, Clarification, Challenge; Closure; and Evaluation), Investigator Interview Course managed by Forensic InterviewSolutions took place May 4-8, 2026 at the academy in Santa Fe.
The P.E.A.C.E. model, originally developed in the United Kingdom during the 1980s, emphasizes information gathering rather than confession-seeking. Instructor Gary Patzer, a former Colorado law enforcement officer with 33 years of experience, said many older law enforcement interviewing methods focused heavily on obtaining confessions from suspects, sometimes at the expense of gathering accurate and complete information.
"Our goal is gathering information to find out what actually occurred," Patzer said. "What's the truth? We allow people to tell their story first. And then we break it down."
He explained that the training separates interviews into two major frameworks. The first is the cognitive interview, designed for cooperative victims and witnesses. That approach uses scientifically supported memory retrieval techniques and "memory-compatible" questions intended to help people recall events more accurately and in greater detail.
The second framework, called conversation management, is used for reluctant or uncooperative interviewees. That could include suspects, but also hesitant witnesses or victims. Rather than relying on intimidation or psychological pressure, instructors teach investigators how to use evidence strategically and ask structured questions to uncover inconsistencies.
Patzer stressed that many common assumptions about detecting deception are not supported by science.
"You can't tell if somebody's lying by which direction they're looking, or fidgeting," he said. "Scientifically, that's been debunked for years."
The course also addresses false confessions, a growing concern in criminal justice systems nationwide. Patzer referenced research comparing P.E.A.C.E.-style interviewing to more aggressive interrogation techniques. While some confession-based models produced higher confession rates overall, many of those confessions were later determined to be false. According to Patzer, P.E.A.C.E.-generated confessions occurred without the same level of false admissions because the method avoids coercive tactics.
The P.E.A.C.E. framework was developed collaboratively by law enforcement officials, legal professionals, judges, attorneys, and psychologists in the UK. Their goal was to create a non-coercive interviewing methodology that would stand up in court while still producing reliable information and legitimate confessions when appropriate.
Patzer said the course also aims to improve trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. A major component of the training focuses on avoiding confirmation bias and tunnel vision - situations where investigators become fixated on one theory or suspect and ignore contradictory evidence.
"We teach the exact opposite of that," Patzer said. "And our techniques do not rely on psychological pressure, intimidation, or coercion."
One principle taught throughout the course is summarized with the acronym "ABC": Assume nothing, believe nothing, check everything.
The training also includes extensive practical exercises. Participants are divided into groups where they rotate through roles as interviewer, interview subject, and evaluator. Patzer said this hands-on approach is what separates the program from lecture-based instruction.
"People don't fully understand the method until they put it into practice, applying the techniques in realistic scenarios which we do in the class," he said.
Students practice conducting interviews in realistic but fictional scenarios so they can apply the concepts immediately. Patzer emphasized that every participant is actively involved at all times, either conducting interviews, role-playing, or evaluating others' techniques.
The structure of the P.E.A.C.E. method itself is another major focus of the course. Patzer said investigators are taught to explain the interview process clearly to participants and establish rapport before asking substantive questions.
Rapport-building can be especially important for patrol officers interacting with people in the field. Even small adjustments - such as moving someone away from a chaotic scene or briefly explaining how the conversation will proceed - can improve communication and increase the amount of information gathered.
The techniques are designed to work across a broad range of settings, not just criminal investigations. Patzer said Forensic Interview Solutions trains professionals in both the public and private sectors, including human resources investigators, threat assessment teams, auditors, and federal agencies such as the FAA. The organization has also worked internationally and is exploring training opportunities with major corporations.
Patzer noted that adapting to the P.E.A.C.E. model can be difficult for some veteran investigators who were trained under confession-focused systems.
"I had a boss at one time tell me, 'Go in that room and don't come out until you get a confession,'" he recalled.
However, he said many newer and mid-career officers are more receptive to science-based interviewing approaches because they provide structure while reducing the risk of coercion and wrongful accusations.
The course also encourages investigators to consider cultural, language, and gender dynamics during the planning phase of interviews. Patzer said interviewers should think carefully about whether interpreters are needed, whether cultural norms may affect communication, or whether another interviewer might be more appropriate in certain situations.
Although smaller agencies may have fewer resources to accommodate those considerations, Patzer said awareness alone can help investigators create more effective interview environments.
Patzer shared one example from his own investigative career where the approach proved particularly effective. During a lengthy witness interview conducted in a comfortable (on a couch), non-threatening setting, the witness eventually remarked that the conversation "felt more like a therapy session than an interview." According to Patzer, the witness was surprised by how much information they were able to remember once they felt relaxed and supported rather than pressured.
He believes that environment, structure, and rapport are central to obtaining reliable information.
By the end of the course, Patzer said the goal is simple: officers should leave as better interviewers than when they arrived.
"The only goal in our methodology is the truth," he said. "A lot of people observe what they see on TV, and that's what they assume is going to occur in any interview with law enforcement. We don't want that to be the case."
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Story by New Mexico Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer John Heil.
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Original text here: https://www.dps.nm.gov/blog/2026/05/11/13597/
