（Conflict Between Investigation and Detention Staff）
Until this day, I thought that the investigation department and detention staff, being part of the same police organization, were working together smoothly and collaboratively. However, a certain incident made me realize that this was not the case at all.
The latter part of the previous article mentioned that detention staff had reprimanded detectives. This was due to the fact that the interrogation had exceeded the stipulated time without any notification to the detention staff.
It turns out that even within the same organization, there was a fundamental conflict between the two groups.
The investigation department is responsible for directly investigating the case.
The detention staff is responsible for holding the detainees.
For example, even if a detective asks the detention staff about the detainee’s behavior or statements, the detention staff are not supposed to respond. This appears to be in accordance with detention regulations. While there may be numerous detention facilities across Japan, they do not operate in a manner that ensures mutual convenience, and they should not. Despite this, it would not be surprising if there were irregularities. However, observing as a suspect in the Shinjuku Police Station, I was convinced that such irregularities were unlikely. The two groups were too disconnected, and their conversations seemed to reflect their different organizational backgrounds. Furthermore, their personalities and appearances were distinct, and the detention staff did not exhibit the typical detective demeanor.
Nevertheless, the presence of two conflicting interests within the same police organization can lead to such suspicions. Even if the detention staff fulfill their duties and maintain the integrity of detention, they might still be perceived as part of the investigative team, which is unfortunate.
It seems that ranks within the police organization are determined by a unified set of rules, and regardless of jurisdiction or prefecture, the hierarchical relationships are absolute. As a side note, I was truly grateful for the concern shown by the detention staff responsible for my well-being and family. Despite their high level of trust, their rank appeared to be rated lower than it perhaps should be (which I found unsatisfactory). This means that the two detectives from Aichi Prefecture had reasons and hierarchical relations that justified their reprimand from the detention staff. While I am not an expert on the proper functioning of the detention staff, I felt a sense of discomfort as a detainee and suspect.
Additionally, I heard that those who become detectives often have experience working with detention staff or in the public prosecutor’s office waiting rooms. This could potentially lead to information exchange if former colleagues encounter each other. I once lightly interviewed a detention staff member about this, and they assured me that such exchanges were strictly prohibited by job regulations and would pose a risk to their own safety. I still believe in their words, as they seemed to be a trustworthy employee.
Understanding the conflict between the detention staff and detectives is one of the most important aspects of my detention experience (to be continued).
被疑者から見た刑事と留置職員の関係
実は、この日までは捜査課と留置職員は同じ警察組織の中の者同士、結託し合ってうまくやっているものだと思った。が、ある事件をきっかけにそれは全く違うのだと分かった。
前回の記事の後半に言及したのだが、留置職員が刑事を叱責したという内容だ。取調べの規定時間を過ぎても留置に報告がなかったということだ。
なんと、同じ組織の中でも彼らは水と油ほど相容れない関係性があったのだ。
捜査は、事件を直接捜査する組織。
留置は、被留置人を勾留する組織。
例えば、刑事から勾留中の被疑者の様子や発言などを留置職員に聞いても留置人は答えないだろう。これは留置規則にあるようだ。日本全国たくさんの留置場があるかもしれないが、彼らは規定通り、お互いの便宜を図り合う関係ではないし、そうなってはいけない。
しかし、そういう不正があってもおかしくないのだが、新宿署で被疑者として観察してまずあり得ないだろうと確信した。あまりにも仲が良くないし、別の組織の者同士の会話だったからだ。ちなみに、彼らは性格も見た目も違う。留置職員からは独特の刑事臭がしない。
しかし、2つの利益相反する組織が同じ警察の中で混在するのでそういう疑惑をかけられる。留置組織の職員がその職務を全うし、留置の健全さを守っていても捜査の仲間だと思われても仕方がないということに繋がってしまうのは不憫である。
ただ、階級は警察組織の一元的ルールで決まっているようであり、管轄や都道府県が違えど上下関係は絶対のようである。
余談ではあるが、僕はこの留置の責任者の方に体や家族の心配をされて本当に救われた。そして、人望の厚さに反して階級はもう一つ二つ評価が低いみたいだった（僕はその評価を不満に思う）。
もとい、愛知県警の刑事二人はこの留置職員に叱られるべき理由と上下関係があったというわけだ。留置組織とはどこに属するべきでどうあるべきかは僕も専門家でもないので正しいことは言えないが、被留置人であり被疑者である僕には違和感を覚えていたところだ。
また、刑事になる者は留置職員もしくは地検の待合室の職員を経験すると聞いた。これでは、元同僚同士居合わせた場合に情報が交換されてしまうリスクもあるのではないかと思う。これについては、留置職員に軽くインタビューした事があるのだが、「職務規定上、絶対に起こり得ない。そんな事があろう者なら自らの身の危険につながる」と言っていた。信頼できる職員だったのでその言葉通りなのではないかと今も思っている。
そして、留置職員が刑事と相容れないということは留置生活の中で一番理解する（続く）。
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