Personnel Assessment
Subject: Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan Supervisor Interview – Transcript
Interview Subject: DI Josh Derwent
Interviewer: Mary Green
Time: 10.30am
Date: 2 April 2012
Interviewer's note:
There were some issues with sound quality caused by the subject refusing to sit down and speak clearly. Where this occurred it is indicated in the transcript. I have chosen to edit instances of inappropriate language. It is otherwise a full record of the conversation.
MG: Could you state your name and rank, please?
JD: Detective Inspector Josh Derwent.
MG: And what is your role in relation to DC Maeve Kerrigan?
JD: I work with her.
MG: In what capacity?
JD: What do you mean, 'in what capacity?' I'm her boss. We investigate murders. Which is what I should be doing now.
MG: Please sit down. This won't take long.
JD: [inaudible]
MG: Can you sit down and speak up? This won't pick up what you're saying if you move around.
JD: Then you need a better recorder.
MG: Thank you for your advice.
JD: Is this going to take long?
MG: I just have a few questions about
essay formatting.
JD: I ask questions for a living. I know what that means.
MG: What do you think it means?
JD: That I'm here for as long as you feel like keeping me here. [inaudible]
MG: What did you say?
JD: You don't want me to repeat it, believe me.
MG: Getting back to DC Kerrigan –
JD: Yeah, that's actually what I'd like to do before I grow old.
MG: Are you working on a case with her at the moment?
JD: Several. One in particular which is chafing my nuts.
MG: I'll just remind you a transcript of this interview is going into DC Kerrigan's permanent personnel file.
JD: Yeah, I know. I'll mind my manners.
MG: How would you describe DC Kerrigan?
JD: Female, IC1. Tall. I mean that – she's got legs that go on for miles. Good figure. I won't comment on her chest because it wouldn't be professional but – [The subject concluded this sentence by making a crude gesture]. Bit of a looker but she doesn't make the most of it, which I see as a mistake. Got to use what God gave you to catch baddies and a bit of the old come-hither never hurts. Where was I? Grey eyes. Curly hair. No scars, tattoos or markings that I'm aware of.
MG: I meant as a colleague. How would you
buy research paper online cheap?
JD: Purely decorative.
MG: Really?
JD: Of course not. She's got to pull her weight or she wouldn't be on the murder squad. Godley doesn't have room for anyone who isn't going to take it seriously. And neither do I.
MG: She works hard?
JD: All hours.
MG: Does she mind?
JD: She cares about getting a result. Too much, sometimes. She puts herself in harm's way without thinking about it.
MG: Are you referring to the incident where she was attacked and almost killed last year?
JD: That was before I joined the team. I wouldn't have let her within a million miles of that situation. I'd have told her to keep out of it.
MG: Does she follow your orders?
JD: Yeah, or she ends up on the naughty step. I just wish I could get away with spanking her. [pause] Actually, can you leave that last bit out?
MG: It's a transcript. I'm going to write down what you said.
JD: You're not a f—ing robot, woman. You can cut out a bit if you like.
MG: Moving on. There are references to discipline problems in DC Kerrigan's file – anger issues, disagreements with colleagues. Have you seen any behaviour that would give you concerns about her?
JD: She's got a temper but she keeps a lid on it when I'm around. Despite my best efforts.
MG: Remarkable self-control.
JD: Pardon me?
MG: What about her background?
JD: What about it? She's a Paddy.
MG: Her extended family in Ireland see themselves as nationalists. They believe in a united Ireland. Has she ever talked to you about that?
JD: If she did I wasn't listening.
MG: Does it ever cause you problems, given your own history in the Army? You served in Northern Ireland, didn't you?
JD: A long time ago. And no. No problems. She gets a bit of hassle now and then, but she's good at brushing it off.
MG: And sexist remarks?
JD: Those too. [Subject began to walk around the room] She's got to expect that kind of thing though. It comes with the territory.
MG: The territory?
JD: Investigating murders is hard work. It's a boys' club. She's an honorary member but she doesn't fit in.
MG: Why not?
JD: Because half the squad want to kill her and the other half want to shag her.
MG: Start with the ones who want to kill her. Why?
JD: She gets the big cases. And solves them, which hurts if you don't rate her. I take it the shagging bit is self-explanatory.
MG: Please move away. You're crowding me.
JD: Don't flatter yourself, love. Are you finished?
MG: Almost. [Shuffles papers] There was a reference here to a secret relationship with a colleague. Is that –
JD: Not me.
MG: I didn't think –
JD: Not that I wouldn't. Well, I wouldn't, but I've thought about it. Not thought about it. That's wrong. But I spend a lot of time with her. And she's all right. Is this going in the transcript?
MG: As I explained, everything you say will be in the transcript.
JD: F—.
MG: I was asking about an affair with a colleague.
JD: Look, what does it matter? You want to know if she's good at her job. Yes. Is she popular? Yeah, she is. Is she good to work with? Yes. Does she work too hard? Probably. Does she mind? I doubt it. She's not got the experience yet but she's getting there. What I'm saying is she's a bloody good copper. And that's what counts. What time is it? [Inaudible]
MG: I wasn't finished.
JD: I am. I've got work to do. Happy typing.
[Subject left the room]
MG: Interview ends.