Comprehensive Legal Regulation of Crime Reporting and Registration Procedures in Azerbaijan

Abstract

Every report of a committed or planned crime must be promptly accepted, registered, and reviewed by law enforcement authorities to uphold the rule of law and effectively prevent crime. This article examines the legal and procedural framework in the Republic of Azerbaijan for receiving, registering, and accounting information on crimes and incidents. It outlines how police duty units operate 24/7 to accept information in any form (written, verbal, electronic), the mandatory documentation (protocols, receipts) for crime reports, and the maintenance of official record books for crime registrations. Special attention is given to procedures for anonymous reports, false reporting warnings, and inter-agency coordination when information falls outside police jurisdiction. The discussion highlights the importance of comprehensive record-keeping – as required by Azerbaijan’s Constitution and criminal procedure laws – and the role such information plays in criminal investigations and crime prevention. Finally, the article emphasizes that effective crime prevention requires broad measures beyond policing alone, including engaging community resources, gathering victimological data, analyzing conflict situations (conflictology), and improving social interventions for at-risk groups. These insights contribute to a better understanding of how a robust legal framework for handling crime information can bolster public safety and trust in justice institutions.