The new Criminal Procedure Code came into force on July 1, 2022, ensuring significant reorganizations in the criminal justice chain. With the adoption of the Code, the method of implementing pre-trial proceedings in criminal cases and a new model of the investigative bodies system was also chosen, which results in the following:

• The stage of initiating criminal proceedings (preparation of materials) has been abolished; it has been included in the content of preliminary investigation as the sole method of implementing pre-trial proceedings,
• The criminal procedural relationship between the constitutional concepts of “detection” and “preliminary investigation” has changed,
• Detection has been designated to assist in solving the tasks set before preliminary investigation,
• Investigative bodies have been consolidated on a phase-by-phase principle with the logic that only 2 investigative bodies operate in the republic.

In an interview with Iravaban.net, Marat Atovmyan, Vice President of the Armenian Lawyers Association and advocate, notes that a merger of investigative bodies has taken place.

“As of today, we have 2 investigative bodies; the police is more of a body implementing operative-investigative activities. The former police also carried out separate detection activities. Now, as a result of the system change, operative investigation is considered detection, and this institute is viewed as part of preliminary investigation,” notes Atovmyan.

According to the expert, after the formation of patrol police, criminal police should be fully formed. Previously, there was the 6th Department for Combating Organized Crime, separate criminal investigation; all these subdivisions have been merged and criminal police has been created.

“The recruitment procedure for employees in these bodies has also changed, becoming based on competitive principles. The educational component has also been reviewed and is being reviewed. All these reforms are aimed at improving the quality of the mentioned services and raising the professionalism of employees,” he notes.

Today, the police is not only a law enforcement body but also deals with operative-investigative (detection) work. However, in recent years the situation has changed, and previously accepted approaches no longer work. For this reason, it is necessary to review how this work is implemented, change approaches and ensure that it is properly applied.

But the public expects broader changes. To prevent crimes, all responsible structures must cooperate. For this, everyone’s roles must be clearly defined and joint programs developed.

The strategy also states that the fight against crime must be based on reliable data and proven methods. This approach is necessary for developing correct policies.

From this perspective, the Criminal Police has already been transformed as one of the key structures of the police.

The positive experience of patrol service reforms has become the basis for implementing changes in the Criminal Police as well. Specifically:

1. A new vision and structure of the Criminal Police has been created, including 3 types of territorial subdivision models.
2. A new procedure has been established by law, whereby civilians can also apply for positions by participating in open competitions.
3. The competition procedure has been developed following the example of the Patrol Service.
4. International and public representatives have monitored the competitions, and psychologists have assisted in evaluating candidates.
5. All selected candidates have participated in mandatory training, after which they have been appointed to positions.
6. Finally, since November 1, 2024, the Criminal Police has been operating with a new structure and a clearer management system.

It is planned that the following steps should also be implemented in the future:

1. Create a comprehensive crime prevention program with the participation of all relevant bodies.
2. Develop a new law on operative-investigative activities, taking into account human rights and international standards.
3. Update crime statistics, making them more reliable and relevant, including improving the Police Information Center.
4. Ensure automatic data exchange between different subdivisions of the Police to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
5. Continue the professional development of Criminal Police employees by organizing retraining with other structures as well.
6. Develop cooperation with international organizations, analytical centers and other partners.

The “Public Monitoring and Awareness of Effective and Inclusive Police Reforms” sub-grant is being implemented by the Armenian Lawyers Association through the “Justice Reform Monitoring in Armenia” program (www.juremonia.am) funded by the European Union, within the framework of a grant announced by the “Social Justice” public organization.

The overall goal of the program is to increase civil society participation in monitoring police reforms and impact assessment by ensuring structural engagement mechanisms, independent evaluation and raising public awareness. Close cooperation and engagement with public organizations as well as relevant subdivisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is envisaged during program implementation.

This article was prepared with the financial support of the European Union. The Armenian Lawyers Association is responsible for the content and it does not necessarily express the views of the European Union.