What is typically involved in a "field interview"?

A "field interview" typically involves a brief interaction for gathering information. This process is often conducted on the street or in a public setting where law enforcement officers engage with individuals to obtain valuable insights or intelligence related to their investigations or community concerns. These interactions can happen in various situations, such as during a traffic stop, a stop-and-frisk, or while responding to a call for service. The primary goal is to assess a person's knowledge or involvement in certain activities without the formality of a setting like a police station.

The other choices detail processes that do not accurately reflect the nature of a field interview. Conducting long interviews in a police station suggests a more formal, extensive interrogation environment, which contradicts the intended brevity and informality of a field interview. Formal questioning under oath indicates a legal proceeding context, which is not applicable to field interviews. Surveillance of known suspects involves monitoring activity rather than directly interacting with individuals to collect information on the spot, further distinguishing it from the concept of a field interview.