good cop, bad cop

A method in which two people behave in drastically different ways to try to gain information from a person they are questioning. One interrogator is overtly aggressive and accusatory, while the other is much more supportive and sympathetic. The name refers to its use as a method of police interrogation. How do you want to interrogate the suspect? Will we give him a bit of the ol' good cop, bad cop routine? A: "What is this, good cop, bad cop? So Mom, you're the nice, understanding one, while Dad yells at me?" B: "We just want you to tell us what possessed you to drink at a school dance." Why are you both yelling at the suspect? I'm looking for good cop, bad cop here!