Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Mobilizing Full Efforts to Secure Investigative Capacity to Fill Void from Abolition of Prosecutor Investigative Command

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit made an 'Integrity Declaration' at Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office on the 10th to strengthen the integrity of investigators ahead of the amended Criminal Procedure Act implementation. This integrity declaration targeting special judicial police investigators is the first among provincial special judicial police units nationwide.

On the day, approximately 120 investigators pledged through oaths to: △perform duties fairly and transparently in accordance with law and principles △prohibit receipt of improper benefits such as money, entertainment, and favors, and abuse of authority △thoroughly protect case information and personal information learned during investigations △prohibit intervention of private relationships such as acquaintances, blood relations, and regional ties in investigations △report upon awareness of improper investigative instructions or misconduct △observe principles of lawful procedures and human rights protection.

This declaration was prepared in a situation where the responsibilities and roles of special judicial police are expanding with the implementation of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act—which has abolishing the prosecutor's investigative command authority as a key provision—taking effect from the 2nd of next month. The declaration was accompanied by anti-corruption and ethics education to increase investigators' legal understanding and establish a fair and responsible investigative culture.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit plans to make ethics, anti-corruption, and integrity education mandatory for investigators tailored to their circumstances as a result of this integrity declaration, and will conduct regular education to establish integrity consciousness as an organizational culture.

The unit also plans to strengthen investigative capacity to match the changed criminal justice environment, while establishing a special judicial police system equipped with expertise and responsibility through continuous legal and ethics education.

Kim Gyu-sik, Director of Safety Management at Gyeonggi Province, said, "The expertise and responsibility required of special judicial police are becoming more important than ever," and added, "We will do our best to further solidify a fair and trustworthy investigative system as a result of this integrity declaration, and become a special judicial police that residents can trust."

천의현 대표이사 euihyun@suwonilbo.kr