IPOA receives forensic laboratory equipment from US Govt – KBC

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is set to expedite investigations into cases of extrajudicial killings after receiving state of the art forensic laboratory equipment from the United States government.

IPOA said that the sophisticated forensic laboratory equipment that will enable detectives to uncover crucial evidence.

IPOA Vice-chairperson Jonathan Lodompui said the new equipment will aid in fast-tracking of investigations into pending cases of extrajudicial killings in the country.

This comes after the chairman of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security Paul Koinange issued a stern warning to police officers found guilty of human rights violation.

Often cases of extrajudicial killings presented in court fall short at the prosecution stage.

The forensic lab equipment donated by the United States government will be used to detect, collect and process samples and evidence for further evaluation and determination.

In the wake of growing concerns over the increased cases of extra-judicial killings and police brutality in the country, the oversight body has launched a call centre where members of the public can lodge complaints against the police by calling the toll free number 1559.

Over the last 15 months, IPOA has documented 210 cases of extrajudicial killings and out of these 110 have been investigated conclusively.

Over the same period, the authority says six convictions have been recorded with three suspects being sentenced to death.