Expanding commune-level Police authority to conduct certain investigative activities under the 2025 Law amending the Criminal Procedure Code: an imperative requirement of judicial reform.

Abstract

The 2025 Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Criminal Procedure Code recognizes the expansion of commune-level Police authority to carry out certain investigative activities. This represents a significant development in Vietnam’s judicial reform agenda, aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of crime prevention and control from the grassroots level. This article analyzes the theoretical and practical bases of the regulation, clarifies its content and significance, and identifies key requirements for implementation. It argues that expanding investigative authority for commune-level police is necessary and proposes several solutions to ensure consistent, lawful, and uniform application in practice.