- 19 21. In sum, from the evidence gathered by the delegation through interviews with detained persons in different police and prison establishments, it appears that infliction of ill-treatment particularly against foreign nationals, including for the purpose of obtaining confessions, continues to be a frequent practice. This indicates the need for increased efforts and determined action by the Greek authorities to tackle the widespread and deep-rooted problem of ill-treatment by the police. Far too often, ill-treatment is considered as being isolated or even justified to the public as a “necessary” means to deal with security threats. This perception needs to change and the CPT urges the authorities to fully acknowledge the extent of the problem of ill-treatment within the ranks of the Hellenic Police, particularly in relation to certain groups such as foreign nationals. The CPT reiterates its recommendation that the Greek authorities actively promote a clear and firm message of zero tolerance of ill-treatment of persons deprived of their liberty. Law enforcement officials should be continuously reminded, including from the highest political level and through appropriate training, that any form of ill-treatment of detained persons – including verbal abuse, racist behaviour, threats, and psychological ill-treatment – constitutes a criminal offence and will be prosecuted accordingly. 22. Moreover, the Committee reiterates the necessity for the competent authorities to promote a fundamentally different approach towards methods of police investigation. It is self-evident that a criminal justice system which places a premium on confession evidence creates incentives for officials involved in the investigation of crime to use physical or psychological coercion. First and foremost, the precise aim of such questioning must be made crystal clear: that aim should be to obtain accurate and reliable information in order to discover the truth about the matter under investigation, not to obtain a confession from somebody already presumed, in the eyes of the interviewing officers, to be guilty. Such an approach must involve more rigorous recruitment procedures, improved professional training for police officers and the adoption of detailed instructions on the proper questioning of criminal suspects. Specific training on professional interviewing techniques should be regularly provided to police operational officers and investigators. The training should place particular emphasis on an intelligence-led and physical evidence-based approach, thereby reducing reliance on information and confessions obtained during questioning for the purpose of securing convictions. A system of ongoing monitoring of police interviewing standards and procedures should also be implemented in order to facilitate the investigation of any allegations of ill-treatment. This would require an accurate recording of police interviews which should be conducted with electronic (i.e. audio and/or preferably video) recording equipment. It should also be required that a record be systematically kept of the time at which interviews start and end, of any request made by a detained person during an interview, and of the persons present during each interview. The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities act to ensure that police operational officers and investigators carry out their duties in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code. To this end, the Greek authorities should regularly provide professional training for these officials, which should cover appropriate interview and investigation techniques, as well as the prevention of ill-treatment. Further, it recommends that steps should be taken to monitor police interviewing standards and procedures and introduce electronic (i.e. audio and/or video) recording of police interviews.