Police Who Should Prevent Sexual Crimes... Persistent Sexual Misconduct

188 Disciplinary Actions from 2018 to May This Year
74 Officers with Most Cases...4 Senior Inspectors
25 Patrol Officers Also Disciplined

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Sexual misconduct continues unabated among the police, who should be leading the prevention and eradication of sex crimes.

According to the 'Disciplinary Status of Police Officers for Sexual Misconduct' obtained by Asia Economy from the National Police Agency on the 22nd, 69 police officers were disciplined for sexual misconduct last year. After 83 officers were disciplined for sexual misconduct in 2017, the number decreased to 48 in 2018 but rose again to 54 in 2019, marking an increase for two consecutive years. This year, 17 police officers have been caught for sexual misconduct in the first five months.

Looking at the ranks, among the 188 police officers disciplined for sexual misconduct from 2018 to May this year, 74 were lieutenants, accounting for the largest share at 25%. Captains followed with 31 officers. Sexual misconduct occurred most frequently among mid-level managers such as section chiefs and team leaders or patrol team leaders at frontline police stations and precincts. Ten officers at the rank of superintendent, who serve as police station chiefs, and four at the rank of senior superintendent, who serve as police station commanders, committed sexual misconduct. However, sexual misconduct also occurred among relatively lower ranks. Twenty-five patrol officers were disciplined for sexual misconduct. Twenty-two officers each at the ranks of sergeant and corporal were also caught.

Examining the types of sexual misconduct during the same period, 103 officers were disciplined for sex crimes, the highest number, followed by 76 for sexual harassment and 9 for prostitution. Regarding the severity of disciplinary actions, 21 officers were dismissed, the harshest penalty, followed by 58 who were discharged and 13 who were demoted. Additionally, 57 and 25 officers received suspensions and pay reductions, respectively. Fourteen officers received reprimands, the lightest form of discipline.

In August last year, the police implemented the 'Comprehensive Measures for the Prevention and Eradication of Police Sexual Crimes' to prevent sexual crimes by police officers. If managers such as police station chiefs and precinct chiefs are aware of sexual crimes but aid, condone, or conceal them, they are subject to job-related prosecution. In November last year, the National Police Agency approved the enactment of regulations on the prevention and handling of sexual harassment and sexual violence within the police. Along with managerial accountability, the regulations require personnel management for ten years to ensure that perpetrators and victims of sexual crimes do not work in the same police station. Furthermore, the measures include support for victims by grievance counselors and allow victims to be accompanied by acquaintances during investigations. Professor Lee Geon-su of the Department of Police Science at Baekseok University said, "As the police's authority has expanded due to the adjustment of investigative rights between the prosecution and police, there is a need to enhance morality and gender sensitivity." He added, "In addition to conducting education for active police officers, institutional changes should be promoted to select police officers with gender sensitivity."