Criminal investigations, like any other important undertaking, require strategic planning. Effective criminal investigation includes important components such as appreciation of national legislation and international legal instruments and the context within which the law is applied. Hence it is vital to recognise the roles police officers play in conducting investigations and prosecution of transnational crimes.
Against this backdrop, AGA-Africa collaborated with Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance (WITA) and the Malawi Police Service (MPS), Malawi on a highly informative training held on 13th -14th June 2022 titled: ‘Harnessing the Necessary Strategies, Skills and Knowledge for the Effective Criminal Investigation.’
The training offered an understanding of criminal investigations, sharing information on current trends as well as good practices, which will be helpful in equipping them with the knowledge and skills to investigate crime in line with national legislation and international instruments.
50 Malawi Police Service investigators and prosecutors participated in the training which aimed at enhancing their skills on how to address the complexities of combating transnational crime in courses such as crime scene management, digital evidence, money laundering and supply chains, undercover operations, and informant handling along with officer safety tactics.
The workshop was officially opened by Gift Chikwakwa AGA-Africa Country Coordinator for Malawi and a keynote address from Chukukere Unamba-Oparah, AGA-Africa Programme Director and Country Coordinator for Kenya.
The workshop was facilitated by subject matter experts: Shawn Karns, Executive Director, Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance, Stephanie Durno Karns, Director of Operations, Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance, and Barbra Tsiga, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Director of Legal Services, Malawi Police Service (MPS).
The workshop was officially closed by Gift Chikwakwa AGA-Africa Country Coordinator for Malawi and Happy Mkandawire, Commissioner of Police, Research Planning and reforms Department, Malawi Police Service (MPS).
