Two Incheon Police Officers Dismissed for Inadequate Response to Weapon Rampage

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Two police officers dispatched to the Incheon inter-floor noise stabbing incident, which sparked controversy over the police's inadequate response, have been dismissed.

According to the police on the 1st, the Incheon Police Agency held a disciplinary committee meeting the previous day and decided to dismiss Police Officer A and Sergeant B, both affiliated with the Nonhyeon Police Station in Incheon, for violating their duty of diligence.

Following the dismissal, they will undergo compulsory retirement procedures. Those who receive dismissal cannot be appointed as public officials for a certain period. Police disciplinary actions are classified into severe punishments such as dismissal, removal, demotion, suspension, and lighter punishments such as pay reduction and reprimand.

A police official stated, "During the internal investigation, it was confirmed that Police Officer A and others responded inadequately by leaving the scene without immediate action," adding, "We are also conducting a thorough investigation into the supervisors who commanded and supervised the handling of this 112 emergency call incident, and strict measures will be taken based on the results."

These officers were suspended from their positions after it was revealed that they left the scene despite being dispatched to the stabbing incident involving Mr. C (48) at a villa in Namdong-gu, Incheon, around 5:05 p.m. on the 15th.

The victim of this incident, Ms. D, a woman in her 40s, was stabbed in the neck and underwent surgery due to progressing cerebral infarction. Ms. D has not regained consciousness to this day. Her husband and daughter also sustained injuries to their faces and hands during the incident and received hospital treatment.

Police Officer A entered the Central Police Academy in December last year and was a probationary officer assigned to the field after completing four months of training. Sergeant B joined the police force in 2002 and had worked in various departments for 19 years.