[Exclusive] "12 desks and 12 lockers" ... Police stations prepare to expand investigative staff ahead of revised Criminal Procedure Act

[Financial News] Ahead of the implementation of the revised Criminal Procedure Act of the Republic of Korea, the National Police Agency is significantly expanding its investigative staff. Frontline police stations are also working to secure office space and equipment. They are adding desks and computers for newly assigned investigators as investigative departments grow, while installing lockers and cabinets for newly established investigative teams. The work of creating actual workstations for investigators is continuing. However, challenges remain, including training, case allocation and establishing a response system for investigative procedures before the larger workforce can settle into the field and lead to greater investigative capacity.
According to Financial News' reporting on the 30th, frontline police stations in Seoul have been adding or purchasing work computers, office furnishings and investigation rooms in line with the expansion of investigative department personnel this year. In addition to upgrading equipment in existing investigative departments, some stations have also created new workspaces for newly established investigative teams.
One police station in Seoul decided to purchase 12 single-person desks, 12 lockers and 12 cabinets for a new investigative team this year. The purchases totaled 9.54 million won, including 3.12 million won for the desks, 3.54 million won for the lockers and 2.88 million won for the cabinets. Another police station secured four desktop computers for about 8.06 million won to accommodate an increase in its investigative division. Other stations spent 2.156 million won on desks and other furnishings for a newly established investigation room, or purchased 18 single-person lockers and five mobile file drawers. As investigative staffing grows, police stations are expanding not only basic equipment such as desks and computers but also investigation rooms and document storage facilities.
The National Police Agency expanded investigative department personnel by 1,907 from last year through the first half of this year in preparation for the implementation of the amended Criminal Procedure Act. It plans to assign more than 2,000 additional investigative personnel in the second half of the year. Investigative departments are expected to handle not only existing cases but also the monitoring of investigation progress and responses to objections from complainants and others under the amended law. Under the amended Criminal Procedure Act, complainants and others may object to the head of the investigative agency if no substantive investigation has proceeded for six months or more after an investigation began without a justifiable reason. Within 14 days of receiving an objection, the head of the investigative agency must inform the complainant or other party of the measures taken, such as replacing investigative officials, presenting the progress and plan of the investigation, and taking steps to protect their rights.
Some investigators have voiced concern that the effects of the staffing increase may not be immediately apparent in the field if cases pile up before newly assigned personnel gain sufficient experience. One police officer said, "Because it is difficult for new personnel to immediately take on work at the same level as existing investigators, they need time to settle into the field," adding, "Training and case allocation must also be taken into consideration."
Alongside the staffing increase, the National Police Agency is pursuing an overhaul of the Korea Information System of Criminal Justice Services (KICS), as well as increases in investigative budgets, allowances and equipment and expanded field training. It also plans to strengthen investigative quality and internal controls by assigning Investigation Review Officers in response to investigators' workloads. Yeom Gun-woong, a professor in the Department of Police and Fire Administration at U1 University, emphasized, "Procedures are needed to help new personnel quickly build their proficiency and adapt to their duties through education and internal training," adding, "It is important to manage the expansion of personnel and equipment so that it leads to actual investigative capabilities."


[email protected] Seo Ji-yoon Reporter