One of the most important abilities any law enforcement officer can possess is the ability to look someone squarely in the eye. This sounds simple, but it isn't. Law enforcement agents must invariably look for more than the average person does when they are staring into the eyes of a victim or a suspect. With victims, they are searchingfor truth. With suspects they are not only looking for signs that will point the finger of guilt, but also for indications of intent. Law enforcement agents must be on their guard at all times for those who would challenge authority, run from arrest, or attempt bodily harm, and maintaining eye contact is a good way to judge what the person you are looking at intends to do.

For a law enforcement officer attempting to maintain peace and calm during a tumultuous or even riotous situation, the maintenance of steady and strong eye contact with those involved is an important tool. Staring people down is one of the many nonlethal weapons at an officer's disposal, and one that she is expected (if possible) to use prior to spraying, clubbing, or shooting a suspect. Bystanders at crime scenes are moved more easily by eye contact than by force, because they subconsciously fear that the police officer staring at them is making mental notes of which one he is going to place in custody.

Solid eye contact is necessary when interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects for two reasons. The first is to collect information about the situation. Learning all there is to know, observing things like physical condition, clothing, and makeup, can be helpful in putting the pieces of the puzzle together. The second reason is to convey information. Agents say a lot with their eyes. By making and keeping strong eye contact with people, they transmit an aura of confidence and strength that helps calm victims and supports those in need of positive reinforcement.

So, what has all of this got to do with the initial interview? There are two conclusions that interviewers tend to draw from their initial contacts with candidates. One is positive, the other negative. With strong and regular eye contact with the interviewer, the candidate is displaying strength of character and an air of confidence in what they are saying in response to questions. This is the positive impression that candidates want to make. The applicant that fails to maintain eye contact and stares at objects away from the interviewer is destined to deliver a negative impression. Few people consider an interview as routine, therefore some stress exists for the candidate, and it is important to illustrate that good eye contact is something which can be maintained under stress.