I don't know what perps know. I will say that criminals aren't the smartest demographic in this country. We have a whole thread called "do not talk to the police" where people post how shabbily they were treated when they ignored that advice. Go figure.
But I do know that some of the most powerful people in the world speak bald face lies at us through reporters interviews. I do know that Portland's former chief of police flat out lied and reporters covering his statement knew it. Donald effing Trump lied every three minutes for four whole years.
The most powerful will lie and laugh in the face of a reporter.
Like this one regarding Oleg Deripaska to a PBS reporter during an interview regarding his role in the actions by Russia to get his money launderer, Donald effin Trump elected in 2016. He lies and laughs at the reporter when well documented and substantiated facts in the Mueller report were brought up:
So, what do two bit cops in Portland have in common with a Russian Mafia billionaire? They lie without a conscience.