Expectations for Investigation Authority Adjustment?…Police See Sharp Increase in 'Investigation Progress' Exam Candidates

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] It has been confirmed that the police criminal law exam, conducted to select police officers specializing in investigations, received the highest number of applicants ever. This is interpreted as a result of a combination of expectations due to the anticipated implementation of the prosecution-police investigation authority adjustment as early as the second half of this year and the identity insecurity caused by the introduction of the autonomous police system.

According to the National Police Agency, a total of 9,257 people applied for the 'Criminal Law Competency Evaluation Exam' to be held on the 27th of this month. This exam has been conducted since 2013 to enhance the professionalism of investigators. Those who pass the exam are granted investigative status, which gives them preferential treatment when applying to investigative departments and allows them to grow as specialized investigative personnel distinct from general police officers.

The number of applicants taking the exam to become investigators has been increasing significantly every year. In the early days in 2013, there were only 3,652 applicants, but five years later in 2018, the number rose to 6,764, and last year, 7,810 applied, more than doubling. This year’s applicants increased by 18.5% compared to the previous year. Mainly, police officers at the rank of sergeant and below and those in their 20s and 30s make up 90% of the applicants, but the number of veteran officers at the rank of inspector and above and those aged 40 and over is steadily increasing. The proportion of applicants at the rank of inspector and above has steadily increased over the past three years, recording 8.6%, 9.4%, and 11.0%, respectively, and those aged 40 and over recorded 7.6%, 8.7%, and 10.3% during the same period. In particular, the number of applicants at the rank of police superintendent rose sharply by 40.6%, from 118 last year to 166 this year.

The surge in popularity of investigative status is primarily due to the realization of the prosecution-police investigation authority adjustment. With this adjustment, the police are granted primary investigative authority and the right to conclude investigations, and the prosecution’s command is explicitly abolished, thereby strengthening the police’s investigative powers. Additionally, the police have declared this year as the 'first year of responsible investigation' and are focusing on enhancing the professionalism and fairness of investigations. This has strengthened the perception among frontline police officers that securing investigative status is essential to entering investigative departments. A National Police Agency official stated, "It appears to reflect internal expectations regarding police investigations following the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act (investigation authority adjustment)."

On the other hand, there is also an analysis that anxiety caused by the introduction of the autonomous police system, the biggest task of police reform along with the investigation authority adjustment, played a role. Unlike autonomous police officers who will be converted to local government officials, those who hold investigative status and remain in the 'National Investigation Headquarters,' which is part of the national police, can maintain their status as national public officials. Since the treatment of autonomous police officers has not been finalized, investigative status may serve as a means to remain in the national police, even if only slightly.

Meanwhile, this criminal law competency evaluation exam will be held on the 27th of this month. The successful candidates will be announced in early next month. The police plan to promote stable personnel management of investigative police through the replenishment of investigative status holders.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.