[Exclusive] Police Officer 'Dismissals' Until July This Year Equal to One Year's Worth... Serious 'Discipline Laxity'

283 Disciplinary Cases from January to July This Year
Increase in Severe Disciplinary Actions Including 15 Dismissals
Rising Trend Among Senior Inspectors, Sergeants, Corporals, and Patrol Officers

From January to July this year, a total of 283 police officers were disciplined for various misconducts. In particular, the highest level of discipline, 'dismissal,' has already approached the annual level of previous years.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to data submitted by the National Police Agency to the office of Jo Eun-hee, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the People Power Party, the number of police disciplinary cases from January to July this year was 283. By level of discipline, there were 15 dismissals, 24 removals, 14 demotions, 86 suspensions, 56 pay reductions, and 88 reprimands. Notably, the number of dismissals reached 15 cases in 2021 and 16 cases last year, and this year has already reached the full-year level of previous years.

In June, the Gwangju Police Agency dismissed a constable who, while driving under the influence at a level warranting license suspension, crashed into two vehicles waiting at a traffic signal consecutively, abandoned the car by the roadside, and fled. In the same month, the Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency dismissed a sergeant who illegally filmed 26 women he met through a dating application. In December last year, a sergeant belonging to a district police station in Gwangju who stole a wallet containing 7 million won from a golf course locker was also dismissed this year. Police disciplinary actions include six types: dismissal, removal, demotion, suspension, pay reduction, and reprimand. Suspensions and above are classified as severe disciplinary actions. Those who receive dismissal cannot be appointed as public officials for five years, and their retirement benefits are reduced by 50%.

When classifying the total disciplinary cases by rank, there were 7 cases for senior superintendents and above, 7 for superintendents, 67 for inspectors, 97 for lieutenants, 40 for sergeants, 41 for corporals, and 24 for constables. The number of high-ranking officers at senior superintendent level and above (8 cases last year) nearly matched last year's total, and field officers at the sergeant level (38 cases last year) exceeded last year's number. The disciplinary cases for corporals and constables were about 72-80% of last year's total. By reason, there were 83 cases of damage to dignity, 59 cases of disciplinary violations, 48 cases of sexual misconduct, 43 cases of drunk driving, 13 cases of bribery, and 37 cases of dereliction of duty. By metropolitan and provincial police agencies, the numbers were 62 in Seoul, 28 each in Gyeonggi Nambu and Gyeongbuk, 20 in Gyeongnam, 16 in Chungnam, 15 each in Incheon, Gyeonggi Bukbu, and Busan, 13 in Jeonnam, 12 in Gwangju, 10 each in Daejeon and Daegu, 9 each in Chungbuk and Gangwon, 6 each in Ulsan and Jeonbuk, and 5 in Jeju.

The National Police Agency has launched internal crackdowns. On the 23rd of last month, Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun ordered all police officers, saying, "At this critical time, there must never be any personal misconduct such as drunk driving that tarnishes the hard work of the entire police force." Following a series of heinous crimes such as the 'Shillim-dong stabbing' on the 21st of last month, the 'Seohyeon Station stabbing,' and the 'Gwanaksan trail rape and murder,' the police have also strengthened security activities.

However, misconduct continues. On the 11th, Sergeant Park from the Seoul Suseo Police Station was caught after colliding with the vehicle behind him in front of a barrier at the entrance of an apartment complex while driving under the influence, leading to the suspension of Suseo Police Station Chief Baek Nam-ik. On the 8th, Superintendent Choi was booked on charges of quasi-rape for taking a colleague to a motel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and having sexual intercourse without consent. Additionally, a corporal from the Gangnam Police Station was caught at an illegal massage parlor in Dongdaemun-gu, and another lieutenant was caught at a hold'em bar by a police crackdown team. Assembly member Jo said, "The police, who are the people's shield, must thoroughly innovate internally to prevent incidents where they threaten public safety through illegal acts such as drunk driving accidents, bribery, and sexual violence."