More police officers are being trained in the operation of video interviewing rooms.

This is in line with the Police Commissioner’s intent to improve transparency and safeguard the work of police investigators.

Opening the Video Interviewing course at the Police in Suva today, was Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Itendra Nair who says the use of the video interviewing room is to protect the integrity of the investigation process and equally as important the investigators.

ADPC Nair says the best way to minimize the risk to a police investigation is through the use of video recording rooms which they’re trying their best to see how they can facilitate procurement of the equipment for other divisions.

He says cases are often acquitted or dismissed due to minor technicalities and allegations are levelled against their investigators for misconduct or the abuse of their powers.

However, the use of video interviewing rooms will help minimize these issues.

Currently, video interviews are being conducted at the CID Headquarters and at the Totogo Police Station.

Twenty officers undergoing training are from the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters as well as representatives from the Western and Northern Division.

The training is being facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme, the Government of the United Kingdom and other stakeholders include the Legal Aid Commission and the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission.

The training ends on Thursday.