Prosecutions: Needed concrete measures in the police after Monika affair – NRK

Public Prosecutions appointed in October 2014 a working group to examine the investigation and the prosecution of treatment in Monika case.

The report, which was presented in February last year, concluded the working group that “quality the police investigation of Monika case was deficient, “and that” the Hordaland police locked themselves stuck in a main theory, and were not able to change their views. “

The working group’s report was circulated for comment to the country police chiefs, public prosecutors and the Police Academy.

– Police have a duty to act

Now Prosecutions considered all consultation responses.

“hearing, leaves a clear impression that the working group has proposed measures that the police and prosecutors generally view as key to raising quality in the investigation of serious criminal cases, “says Director of Public Prosecutions.

In his final letter, which today is published at Public Prosecutions sites, emphasizes Prosecutions of Police right and duty to act when that person becomes aware of circumstances that give reason to question the handling of a criminal case in the district.

– It does not refer to the specific police chief actions or omission, said District Attorney Per-Eirik Vigmostad-Olsen of Public Prosecutions office told NRK.

Attorney General: Tor Aksel Busch.

Photo: Kallestad, Gorm / SCANPIX

Consultation participants agreed

Active investigation management, education in such management, investigative exercises and the use of an investigation plan and measures short of serious criminal cases, some of Public Prosecutions recommendations and instructions to police and prosecutors for the case.

Police and prosecutors are largely agreed in the working group’s recommendations.

– We note that the working group’s findings and learning points get broad support from burglaries, district attorney offices and the Police Academy, says Attorney General Tor-Aksel Busch said in a statement.

– Important practicing initial phase

Among the points consultative bodies give broad support, is the allocation of time to conduct exercises on the investigation of major cases, where all the key players in an investigation participate.

“It is highlighted by more that it is particularly initial phase is important to practice and
that it should be paid attention to notification procedures and organization of the work rather than the individual tactical investigative steps, “writes Director of Public Prosecutions.

– If you are going the wrong direction, you risk that it propagates throughout the case. Should be good at investigation, as in everything else, so you have to practice, says Vigmostad-Olsen told NRK.

Public Prosecutions concludes with a recommendation to police the management of “implementing exercises or appropriate training in the investigation of serious cases. “

” In light of Monika case it is particularly important to emphasize the importance of the critical thought and divergent views during the investigation, and that work is not locked to one hypothesis and directed towards to confirm this without sight for alternative explanations “ writes Prosecutions.