Police Add 2,000 Investigators Ahead of Criminal Justice System Overhaul

[Financial News] The police will add approximately 2,000 personnel to investigative divisions ahead of the implementation of the amended Criminal Procedure Act next month. The plan is intended to ease the burden on the field arising from the overhaul of the criminal justice system by expanding incentives for investigators and launching nationwide training as well as field consultation and support systems.
On the 10th, Kim Jongcheol, acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, visited Seoul Dongdaemun Police Station to hear the views of field officers and inspect preparations for the implementation of the new criminal justice system. Dongdaemun Police Station is conducting a pilot program for the new system ahead of the amended Criminal Procedure Act taking effect on October 2.
At the meeting, Kim said, "The Korean police are at an important juncture as we must move into a new phase ahead of the major change in the criminal justice system known as the 'complete separation of investigations and indictments.' From October, the police, the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and other investigative bodies will be responsible for handling and closing cases."
He added, "Along with adapting to the changed system, the workload on the front lines is also expected to increase somewhat due to a rise in requests for supplementary investigations and other factors. I will do my utmost to listen more closely to the voices from the field and address the areas of concern."
The police will first significantly expand their investigative workforce. After adding 1,907 personnel to investigative divisions from last year through the first half of this year, they plan to add approximately 2,000 more in the personnel reshuffle scheduled for the second half of the year. Kim said additional recruitment would also be pursued if necessary. He also instructed heads of police units at all levels to prevent the departure of experienced investigators and secure suitable personnel with investigative capabilities and a strong sense of duty for the newly expanded positions.
Incentives for investigative police officers will also be expanded. The police plan to shorten the service period by one year for outstanding investigators at the rank of inspector or below; extend the rank-based mandatory retirement age by up to four years for outstanding investigative personnel among superintendents; expand the scale of special promotions for superintendents and teams; and award bonus points in the public-safety performance evaluation to demanding investigative divisions, including integrated investigation teams.
Support needed to implement the system, including investigative budgets and allowances, equipment, and the overhaul of the Korea Information System of Criminal Justice Services (KICS), will be provided in parallel. The police are working to secure office space and furnishings so that newly added personnel can be assigned to work immediately. The necessary budget will be provided to frontline units next week.
The revision of related laws and guidelines has also entered its final stage. The police are updating relevant laws and internal guidelines, including the Police Investigation Rules and Criminal Investigation Rules, in line with the amended Criminal Procedure Act and investigation rules. A revised draft of the Investigation Practice Guidelines, covering the changed system and procedures as well as key issues, will also be distributed to the field.
Field training will begin in earnest on the 21st. Following nationwide regional training led by the National Police Agency headquarters, the police will provide comprehensive training for all investigators and cybersecurity training for all personnel. In October, police agencies in each city and province will organize training sessions for officers summoned from police stations under their jurisdiction. Advance practical training will be strengthened for employees who have had long gaps in investigative work and for newly appointed investigators.
The National Office of Investigation will also establish a separate emergency response team and build a field consultation and support system in line with the implementation of the amended law. The measure is intended to provide rapid assistance with matters that are difficult to resolve in the field based solely on existing guidelines or explanations.
Kim emphasized, "The role and responsibility of field investigators have become even more important under the new criminal justice system. I will do my utmost to ensure that police investigations take root in a way that allows the public to feel safe and place their trust in them."


[email protected] Kim Yeji Reporter