Police investigators need training

By DALE LUMA
POLICE investigators need to be trained in the technicalities of cyber-crime to be competent in enforcing the Cybercrime Code Act (2016).
“This includes the gathering and handling of evidence to enable successful prosecutions,” National Information and Technological Authority legal services manager Ian Mileng said.
Mileng told The National that although the law was passed in Parliament some three years ago, “not much emphasis has been given to training of police personnel to handle such cases”.
“The training should involve how they receive and process complaints, how they investigate the complaints and how they collate evidence and store it for prosecution,” Mileng said. “The relevant authorities that can conduct training for the police, among others, will be the International Telecommunications Union through its worldwide resources of various agencies and experts.
“Also the Australian Federal Police through the Department of Foreign Affairs from bilateral discussions.”
Mileng said there were different offences and the penalties in the cybercrime law, either a fine, a long prison sentence or both.
“When victims report their case to the police, it becomes a police matter. The police can actually make an arrest if the act or conduct satisfies the elements of the offence under the Act,” he said.
“Cybercrime victims or those who suspect that they had fallen victims to the unscrupulous to speak up, not keep quiet about it and suffer.
“Speak up and talk to somebody about your predicament. You can also report to your mobile operator.”
Mileng said cybercrime victims could also seek help from those knowledgeable in information, and communications technology (ICT) or the internet.