[MZ Police Officer] "Valuing the Voices of Citizens in Every Record"... The Youngest Officer on the Integrated Investigation Team

A Young Investigator at Seoul Dongdaemun Police Station
Learning from Economic Crime Cases,
Determined to Support Both Victims and Suspects

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is arriving. This is an era where new employees in their 20s and 30s are shaping the future of organizational culture. The police are no exception. The police force is comprised of various departments such as criminal investigation, investigative, security, intelligence, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, and women and youth affairs. Work environments differ, including metropolitan agencies, police stations, riot squads, and local precincts or police boxes, and the nature of the work varies greatly by region. From the perspective of the youngest police officers, we introduce their departments and listen to their vivid stories about work and life as they see it.

"Treat every case file as if it represents a citizen"

The office of Investigation Team 4 at Seoul Dongdaemun Police Station. Surrounded by the sound of keyboards, Officer Hwang Sujin (32) looks at the cabinets stacked with case files and reflects on this thought every day. Officer Hwang said, "Ever since a senior teammate recently told me this, I always consider what the complainant must have felt when submitting the complaint and think about how I can help as an investigator whenever I review records," adding, "I approach my investigation reports with the mindset that they represent the citizens themselves."

On July 15, Officer Hwang will complete the probationary period and become a full-fledged member of the police force, making her the youngest in the organization. However, in the integrated investigation team, the role of the youngest member is significant. Officer Hwang is currently handling 39 cases, which is two to three times the number of cases assigned to a member of a general investigation team, where the average is just over 10 cases per person.

Sujin Hwang, an investigator at Seoul Dongdaemun Police Station, is conducting a criminal data investigation. Photo by Dongju Yoon

A Life as an Investigator Sparked by Interest in Economic Crime

Investigation Team 4 of the Integrated Investigation Division 1 at Dongdaemun Police Station is known for its strength in economic crimes, particularly fraud, and is currently dedicated to investigating no-show fraud cases. When Officer Hwang arrives at work in the morning, she reviews the assigned case files, identifies the key points, prepares preliminary questionnaires (used when interviewing complainants or suspects), or establishes the basic framework for the investigation. Because she must independently review legal principles for various cases, including fraud, document forgery, and defamation, she also studies Supreme Court precedents and national laws in between investigations.

The integrated investigation team is also responsible for cases such as insult, violations of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and cyber fraud. Officer Hwang's interest in economic crime is what led her to join the integrated investigation team. She said, "While studying for the exam, I focused on fraud, embezzlement, and breach of trust, and thought it would be rewarding to work as an investigator resolving economic crimes," adding, "Since each step of a case requires individual judgment, I feel a strong sense of responsibility."

She feels joy and a sense of accomplishment after resolving each assigned case. Officer Hwang recalls the first time she solved a dine-and-dash case. From checking CCTV footage during fieldwork after the incident to identifying the suspect and clarifying the circumstances, she handled every step herself. She said, "I feel a sense of relief when I complete the entire process, from the initial complainant interview to the suspect interrogation."

Mastering Fraud Crimes... Concerned About Investment Leading Room Scams

Contrary to the perception that the work of an investigation team, with desks piled high with complaints and reports, is static, the job offers a variety of experiences. Officer Hwang said, "Because I take the lead on many different cases, I gain a lot of experience," adding, "I've applied for search and seizure warrants and even conducted stakeouts to apprehend economic offenders." She recently arrested a suspect wanted for fraud at Incheon Airport. She recalled, "After receiving a call from a higher agency, I rushed to Incheon Airport and apprehended the wanted suspect as soon as they got off the plane. That incident left a strong impression on me."

Since joining the integrated investigation team, Officer Hwang has become highly proficient in handling fraud crimes. She is often surprised by types of fraud she was previously unaware of, and she is particularly concerned about the recent surge in investment leading room scams. She said, "The amount of damage in investment leading room scams is much larger than in other types of fraud," adding, "When I see victims struggling, such as those going through rehabilitation procedures, I am determined to find the suspects."

Hwang Sujin, an investigator at Seoul Dongdaemun Police Station, is conducting a criminal data investigation. Photo by Yoon Dongju

The More Uncertain Things Get, the More I 'Rely on the Records'

Generally, it takes a considerable amount of time to review legal principles based on case records. Officer Hwang said, "At a local precinct, responding to a call and closing the case is the end, but in the investigation division, once a case is assigned, it takes time to interview the complainant and suspect, and to review the submitted materials and legal principles," adding, "I often find myself thinking about the direction of the investigation and the case even after I go home from work."

When analyzing legal issues, she sometimes finds there are more points to consider than she initially expected. Officer Hwang explained, "The elements of fraud are intent to deceive, causality, and a disposition act, but sometimes cases involve simple non-performance of obligations, which is a civil matter," adding, "If it's a civil issue, I guide the complainant on the next steps, and if it's a criminal matter, I proceed with the investigation."

During investigations, she sometimes feels emotionally challenged when dealing with complainants in difficult circumstances. Officer Hwang said, "A complainant once came to me in tears, saying, 'This person is clearly a fraudster, and I lost my money because of them.' It broke my heart," adding, "But from a legal standpoint, the evidence was insufficient, so I had to decide not to refer the case for prosecution, which was regrettable."

At such times, Officer Hwang centers herself with the mindset of 'relying on the records.' She sets aside preconceptions and bases her judgments solely on claims and supporting evidence. She said, "Even if someone is a complainant, I don't automatically see them as a 100% victim, and I don't assume a suspect has definitely committed a crime. Instead, I conduct investigations based strictly on the legal requirements," she said. She added, "I remember people saying they were grateful for an investigation without prejudice, or that they felt anxious before coming in but felt relieved after meeting me in person."

She dreams of being a police officer who can provide comfort even in difficult times. Officer Hwang concluded, "When victims are in distress, I want to be the kind of police officer they can approach comfortably," adding, "For suspects, I want to be strict and firm within the boundaries of the law, but also help them reintegrate into society as people."