New master's program molds top anti-corruption investigators(2)

Turning pro

Professor He has been advocating the need for more professionalism in anti-corruption investigations for a long time. He initiated this program as procuratorates, especially at the grass-roots level, lack professional investigators who can work effectively and efficiently.

He was temporarily assigned to work at the department of anti-malfeasance at the Supreme People's Procuratorate between 2006 and 2008.

But civil servants working on embezzlement or malfeasance cases often come from various backgrounds and rarely have relevant training. "They mostly learn on the job from the experienced investigators," said He. They are also constantly shuttled around between different departments.

The authorities have also become tuned in to the importance of professional investigators. During a training course in November 2011, officials from the top anti-corruption authority said they needed more specialists who are capable of both carrying out an investigation and making full use of modern technology.

As society progresses and crimes become more sophisticated, the way of investigating and fighting these crimes also needs to evolve. "The old, sometimes crude way of investigation or interrogation no longer works. We need a more civilized way and must adhere to the rule of law," said He.

The investigation of corruption cases is different from other types of criminal investigation as officers have to deal directly with suspects from higher social statuses who are usually highly intelligent and can hide their crimes through connections and manipulation, he added.

To become more professional also means that investigators should rely more on scientific methods, such as psychology and behavioral science. As anti-corruption investigations rely more heavily on confessions and testimonies than other crimes, interrogations are a key part of the skill set. "And as we change from the old 'harsh interrogation' style to 'soft interrogation,' it poses more challenges to the officers," said He.

While authorities admit that more talents are needed, anti-corruption investigations aren't a degree choice and few have special programs about them.

Aside from Renmin University, Chongqing-based Southwest University of Political Science &Law has been offering a related undergraduate program since 2004. About 60 students are enrolled in this program each year and about half of them eventually get into procuratorates, said Liu Zhenghong, Party secretary of the university's Criminal Investigation Law School.

The school also has close ties to procuratorate departments and regularly invites officials on the job to give lectures.

Not all graduates from such programs end up fighting corruption as they still have to take the civil servant exam to get into the procuratorates.

In Renmin University, 15 students from the class of 2013 got into procuratorates, and the rest went to work for other government agencies or companies in various capacities.