Call for proper training for officers investigating crimes

POLICE officers investigating crime need to be trained properly and provided proper offices and facilities to carry out their work, a former detective says.
Pasingau Taru, the director of the Institute of Security and Investigation Management, said they should know the principles, procedures and techniques needed in investigating a crime.
“Well-documented reports enable police prosecutors to present evidence of cases beyond reasonable doubt to ensure the court prosecutes the suspects,” he said.
Taru said citizens question the ability of police to investigate crime when cases were dismissed, withdrawn or struck out for want of evidence.
Three police officers from Western Highlands underwent training for a certificate in investigation management in Lae last Thursday.
They were joined by of an officer from Mapai Trucking.
Topics covered included the role of an investigator, principles of investigation, concepts and elements of law, elements of an offence, facts, burden of proof, evidence and exhibits, caution (right of silence), confessional evidence, note-taking, interviewing techniques, writing statements, assessing information, brief of evidence and presenting evidence in court.
Taru said the topics would help the participants to understand their roles and functions, the legal framework and code of conducts during interview and the procedures with confidence.