Swedish cops to study PNP crime investigation manual

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Swedish police secured a copy of the Philippine National Police manual for investigating violent crimes to use as a guideline for Sweden’s police officers, a PNP official said yesterday.

PNP deputy chief for operations Deputy Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr. said Assistant Commissioner Bo Astrom, European Union-Philippines Justice Support Program (EPJUST) manager for law enforcement, was apparently impressed with the manual and he wanted their police force to use the crime investigation style of the PNP.

The EPJUST has been sending representatives to the Philippines since 2009 to coordinate with the Philippine government in the fight against extrajudicial killings.

“During our conversation, he (Astrom) asked me if he could get a copy of the manual,” Cacdac said, adding that he was curious about Astrom’s interest in the manual, which consolidates procedures for the investigation of violent crimes.

He said the manual, prepared by the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), contains the specific roles of the crime scene first responder, investigator, scene of the crime operatives (SOCO) and the special investigation task group.

The PNP official said Astrom, being a representative of EPJUST, is entitled to a complimentary copy of the PNP manual on crime investigation.

“Astrom further asked me if they could have the PNP manual translated into the Swedish language so that their policemen can better understand its contents. He said the manual was well-made,” Cacdac said. “It’s the first time that a foreign counterpart will use PNP manual. It’s an honor.”

Cacdac said he asked Astrom to acknowledge the PNP and the DIDM once the PNP manual is translated into the Swedish language, to which the Swedish police official agreed.