The Investigations branch of police services needs to work in a transparent and accountable fashion. Once investigations are complete, the success of prosecutions against suspected criminals depends on the transparency and integrity of the investigation process itself. Ensuring convictions on the basis of investigations that follow clearly regulated processes is critical to ensure convictions are not deemed unsafe later.

Additionally, the investigations branch needs to be able to interact not only with community police but also with the prosecutors who will take forward legal action against alleged criminals and criminal networks.

Resources

OSCE, Police Reform within the Framework of Criminal Justice Reform, OSCE TNT/SPMU/Publication Series Vol 11, 2013.

UNODC, Handbook on Police Accountability, Oversight and Integrity, UNODC 2011

Pierre Aepli (ed.), Toolkit on Police Integrity, DCAF, 2012.