As the police are poised to gain broader investigative powers with the implementation of the revised Criminal Procedure Act in October, they are pushing to increase the weight of criminal law in recruitment and other exams.

The Police Investigation Reform Committee announced today that it held its 5th meeting at the National Office of Investigation, where it received a report from the National Police Agency and discussed measures to expand the proportion of criminal law subjects, streamline the police investigation command and supervision system, and strengthen investigative capabilities.

During the meeting, opinions were raised that it is necessary to strengthen related subjects across all recruitment and training processes to ensure that police officers are fully versed in criminal law and criminal procedure necessary for investigative practices.

Specifically, measures were discussed to increase the weighting or proportion of criminal law subjects in open recruitment for entry-level police officers, or to strengthen relevant evaluations in the Korean National Police University graduation exams.

Discussions also covered establishing new educational subjects or reinforcing existing curricula related to victim human rights and the protection of vulnerable victims in order to enhance crime victim protection capabilities.

Along with this, the committee reviewed the current status of the autonomous police system related to the rotational personnel system, the court-appointed counsel system for crime victims, and the reorganization plan for the victim protection investigation system prepared by the National Police Agency.

The committee plans to supplement the crime victim protection recommendation discussed today and announce it on the 31st.

(Photo: Yonhap News)