“As part of the Investigative Committee, the investigator is independent in exercising his powers and making decisions defined by the RA of Criminal Procedure Code, he is not constrained by the positions of the investigative body or any other body,” Vazgen Mamikonyan, Head of the Investigative Division of Qanaqer-Zeytun Administrative District of Investigative Department of Yerevan of the Investigative Committee said within the framework of “Investigator Presents” series of interviews of Iravaban.net.

The “Investigator Presents” series is carried out in 2024 as part of the 10th anniversary of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia.

– Mr. Mamikonyan, this year the Investigative Committee is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Since you have been in the system for all 10 years, and in addition you are also a participant in the establishment of the system, can you name three fundamental results that justify the creation of this system 10 years ago?

– There are so many results and achievements that it is really difficult to point out only three of them, because essentially, a completely new body with new principles and new approaches was created, formed and established.

According to me, one of the fundamental results is that the investigator within the Investigative Committee is independent in exercising his powers defined by the RA Criminal Procedure Code and making decisions, he is not constrained by the positions of the investigative body or any other body. Meanwhile, before the creation of the Investigative Committee, the investigator, who was authorized to give an assignment to the investigative body, worked as part of the investigative body and under the authority of the head of the investigative body. All my colleagues who worked in investigative bodies before the establishment of the Investigative Committee and who work in the Investigative Committee will agree with me that there is a huge difference between the conditions that existed before the establishment of the Investigative Committee and those that exist now. Under what conditions did the investigators work then and under what conditions do they work now? Currently, all the material and technical conditions necessary for effective work have been created for the investigators. Now the investigator does not have to spend time and financial resources to solve various logistical problems during the work.

I would also like to record that after the establishment of the Investigative Committee, the salaries of investigators have increased three times or more, which is an essential social guarantee aimed not only at improving the social status of investigators, but also at ensuring the stability of the system.

At the same time, investigators have the opportunity to develop professional knowledge and practical skills thanks to regularly held courses.

The Investigative Committee, as a rigid system, has overcome all the difficulties faced by the system with honor during ten years and continues to overcome them.

– How do you see the Committee in the next 10 years?

– Based on the achievements of the previous ten years, the established foundations and principles, I see the Investigative Committee as a more professional, endowed with strong human and material resources, meeting international standards and developing dynamically.

– Mr. Mamikonyan, half of your life, 24 years in a row, you have been in the law enforcement system., Have you ever “blame” yourself during that time for not applying for a sector change, or were you always convinced that you were in the right place?

– Serving in the law enforcement system is as interesting as it is difficult, complex and responsible. I never “blamed” myself for not applying for a sector change. But to be honest, there were times when I asked myself, what if I could have chosen an easier profession that would have also entailed a more relaxed lifestyle? However, that question has always been immediately followed by another logical question: what profession would I choose if given the opportunity to start everything again, from the beginning? And the answer has always been unmistakably the same. I would choose the same profession. That is the reason why I never “blamed” myself for not applying for a sector change. I have never imagined myself in any other service or job.

– What motivates you to come to the investigation department every day at 9 o’clock since 2001 and to work more than planned?

– I am motivated by the fact that I love my profession and my work. I get a sense of inner satisfaction when the work solves crimes, when very often with sleepless nights, hard teamwork, proper planning, investigative tactics and the use of powers defined by criminal law, we achieve results, social justice is restored and I invest my small efforts in ensuring the internal security of the state. The factor of being useful to the state and society is motivating.

As for going to and working in the investigative department every day for many years, I must say that no working day is the same as the previous day. Outwardly, everything looks the same, but they are very different in content. Every day we deal with new criminal cases, solve new problems. My colleagues will also confirm that once you love the essence of the investigator’s work, it is for the whole life, and at some point it becomes a lifestyle and not a job.

– During 24 years of working activity, you have received more than two dozen incentives and awards: “Best Investigator” badge, various medals, awarding a class rank higher than that prescribed for the given position… What was the most important of them for you? In general, what made you feel more valued?

– All of them are equally important to me, because precious memories are associated with each of them. Most of those awards were given for solving specific crimes, and some for effective work. But it has never been important for me whether I will be rewarded or not, even more, what I will be rewarded with or how I will be encouraged. The most important assessment for me is the trust in me, which is the most binding at the same time.

– For more than 2 years, you hold the position of the Head of the Investigative Division of Qanaqer-Zeytun Administrative District of Investigative Department of Yerevan of the Investigative Committee. What major changes have taken place during that time in terms of the organization of the department’s work, increasing efficiency, which were important for you as the head of the department?

– During the last two years, many changes have taken place in the investigative division of Kanaker-Zeytun administrative district. One of the main and most important changes in terms of increasing the efficiency of the work of investigative division was the addition of deputy heads of the division and new investigators. Along with the increase in staff, the number of offices increased as well, each investigator was provided with all the necessary means for effective work. It can be noted that a completely new department has been created. Along with all that, changes were made in the organization of work, based on the norms of the RA Criminal Procedure Code, the Law on the RA Investigative Committee and the provisions defined by the orders of the Chairman of the RA Investigative Committee. The daily dedicated work of all employees of the investigative division has given its results and many challenges have been overcome. Among them, I would like to mention, in particular, the difficulties that arose with the application of the new Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of the RA on 1 July, 2022.

– Are there new priorities and goals, the implementation of which you consider important for the further work of the division?

– As I already mentioned, as a result of personnel and organizational changes made in the investigative division and the daily consistent work the whole staff, despite the increase in workload, one of the most important achievements for me is that the department is psychologically ready to overcome both overload and various difficulties arising in daily work. We have to develop this. For me, as the head of the division, it is an important priority for our employees to strictly observe the disciplinary and other rules established by the orders of the Chairman of the RA Investigative Committee, which is definitely one of the keys to the success of the division. In my opinion, everything begins with discipline and a sense of responsibility. Our goal is to carry out a high-quality, proper investigation, to continuously improve our professional skills, to equip ourselves with new knowledge and to be constantly adequate to the demands of the times. A good specialist and a strong professional team, who, due to the necessary discipline and dedication, can carry out the powers entrusted to them with maximum usefulness, for the benefit of the society and our motherland.

– According to the results of the previous year, the proceedings examined in all units of the Investigative Committee and sent to the court increased significantly, which also implies an increase in the workload of the investigators. How did this affect the work schedule of the employees of the Investigative Division of Kanaker-Zeytun Administrative District? What tactics do you use as a leader,  to cope with the current workload?

– Yes, criminal proceedings are increasing significantly, which makes us to think to apply new methods, and keep up with the pace. Planning of each proceeding is very important фor the efficiency of the investigative work. Great attention is paid in the investigative division to this. In particular, each investigator plans his proceedings, the possible deadlines for their completion, the deputy heads of the division together with the investigators under their control plan their proceedings, after which they are presented to the head of the division. At the same time, despite such control, no investigator is ever left alone with any of his problems; the heads of the division help and support them in any matter, in all professional and practical matters.

The next important tactic is teamwork: there are large-scale proceedings, or high-profile, serious or especially serious crimes, when it is necessary to quickly and simultaneously carry out large-scale investigative operations. In such cases, we form an investigative team and the entire division works as one person. Nothing is achieved easily, but to overcome both workload and all other difficulties and psychological approach is very important. In the Investigative Division of Kanaker-Zeytun Administrative District, we have a principle: We do not have phrases “I would not be able to manage”, “I cannot do”, “it won’t work” and similar phrases. We strive to find one way out of how to make it work instead of a hundred of excuses. We strive to do everything to move according to that principle.

– The first quarter of 2024 has ended. Is there some summary data at the division, both in terms of reported crime cases and the main results of investigative work?

– Yes, the data for the 1st quarter of 2024 has been summarized, and I am happy to say that, both in the previous quarters and in the last quarter, despite the workload, the investigation division, was able to perform the planned work and achieve good results. In order not to overload with numbers, I will only mention that during the 1st quarter of 2024, the investigative division examined 457 criminal proceedings, of which 178 criminal proceedings were transferred to the 2nd quarter.

– And at the end, a few brief questions. Before assuming a leadership position, did you have any fear of making a mistake or failure?

– I had no fears, but, like any responsible person, I had fears in certain issues. But the desire to justify the trust was greater.

– What are your methods of leading the team, understanding the strengths of members of the investigative division?

– Show with your own example, then only demand. You cannot demand something and do the opposite yourself. The strengths of the employee are seen and evaluated by the work done.

-Advice that you received from your senior colleagues and you are guided to this day.

– Never engage in petitions.

– Three main features contraindicated for an investigator.

– Dishonesty, irresponsibility, low intellectual level.

This initiative, implemented in cooperation with the RA Investigative Committee and the Iravaban.net website, aims to properly present to the public the main directions of the work carried out by the preliminary investigation body, to reflect on the peculiarities of pre-trial proceedings and other issues of public importance.