The criminal investigation procedure of piat police Station: The level of awareness and compliance

In the field of criminal justice education, criminal investigation is taught as the collection of facts in order to accomplish the three-fold aims-to identify the guilty party; to locate the guilty party and to provide evidence of guilt. It is supposed to be carried out by criminal investigator who is defined as a public safety officer tasked to conduct the investigation of all criminal cases as provided for and embodied under the Revised Penal Code/Criminal Laws and Special Laws which are criminal in nature. This study assessed the investigation procedures at Tuao Police Station. The informants were the members of the investigating team of the said station. This study used the descriptive research design. This design was used to determine and describe the level of awareness of the respondents on the investigative procedures. Moreover, the actual investigative procedures were inquired from the investigators and compared these to the prescribed procedures indicated in the PNP Criminal Investigation Manual to determine their compliance. Information on the problems that arise in each step of the procedure was also described. Findings revealed that the respondents are extremely aware on the procedures in criminal investigation and further revealed that the investigating team follow almost all of the provisions of the PNP Criminal Investigation Manual. All steps are complied by the investigating team in each of the stage of investigation. Moreover, the problems being encountered in the criminal investigation procedure is limited of knowledge or expertise of the Officer-in-Charge and uncooperative or reluctant witnesses. Furthermore, the investigators conduct follow-up investigations which are not expressly prescribed action in the manual as part of the procedure. It is therefore proper that investigators undergo continuous trainings and attend schooling in order to enrich their knowledge and expertise and regular monitoring on the conduct of these procedures must be ensured to confirm its strict implementation.