ACP: Conduct proper probes

NORTHERN region commander ACP Peter Guinness wants police investigators to always conduct proper probes.
“Proper investigations does not mean having to physically or verbally abuse suspects (while in custody),” he said in his briefing to participants of an investigation workshop last Friday.
At the workshop conducted in a new training facility in the Bumbu Police Barracks, ACP Guinness stressed: “It is wrong to assault suspects during recording of statements to extract information.
“It is not only improper, it is (criminal) assault.
“Suspect (s) got every right to remain silent or to speak as it is their constitutional right.
“When you exercise Section 42 (2) of the Constitution and if the suspect refuses to talk, then you do not have the right to physically assault them and force them to talk.”
He told policemen and women at the workshop that as an investigator, before conducting an interview with a suspect, he/she had to know the background of the case and ensure that all necessary evidence that you can think of was collected.
“When all the necessary information is at hand, then they can go out to conduct an interview (record statements) with the suspect (s),” he said.
“If you physically assault a suspect in the name of getting an interview (statement), and when your report ends up in court, the court will question your record of interview (statement).
“This is why some major cases that appear before the courts have been thrown out because of such (improper) actions put up by police investigators.”
ACP Guinness told workshop participants that he would be available to look through their (investigation court) files if they wished to.
“Going through such files will enable me to help young police investigators wherever possible,” he added.
He told participants not to be discouraged whenever their cases got thrown out by the courts.
“Always find ways around to try to get another angle and get the case back in court,” he said.