"Victim of 'Police Station Chief Power Abuse' Urges Severe Punishment, Demands Recognition of Secondary Harm Misconduct"

The police agency acknowledged the misconduct in a complaint filed by a subordinate officer who claimed workplace harassment by the head of a police substation. However, the agency did not recognize the issue of secondary victimization, prompting the victim and civic groups to call for strict punishment of the secondary perpetrators and the establishment of countermeasures.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 25th, Police Officer Park In-a, who filed the complaint with the National Police Workplace Council (Jikhyup) and the civic group Korean Women’s Minwoo Association, stated in a press release in front of the Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, "The Police Agency did not acknowledge misconduct regarding the secondary victimization," and added, "We want to ask once again whether the Police Agency truly conducted a fair and strict investigation into this matter."

On the 18th, the Police Agency notified Officer Park, who filed the complaint, that "the actions of former Substation Chief A constitute an improper demand using a superior position, and misconduct is acknowledged." However, the agency did not recognize as misconduct the forced testimony by former Chief A and inappropriate remarks by a senior official of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The Police Agency explained that there are no separate regulations on handling internal corruption awareness, so they did not acknowledge misconduct in that regard.

Officer Park stated, "The Police Agency handled the complaint without following Articles 15, 34, and 35 of the Inspection Regulations," and added, "I am in a situation where I must endure the pain caused by the police’s neglect of secondary victimization." Furthermore, she urged "strict punishment such as dismissal of former Chief A and the establishment of countermeasures," pointing out, "It is impossible to protect socially vulnerable people without protecting colleagues within the organization."

Officer Park filed a complaint in July against former Chief A, who forced attendance at indoor rock climbing and a lunch event hosted by an elderly resident in their 80s, Mr. B. Additionally, she filed another complaint alleging that former Chief A coerced unfavorable testimony about her from surrounding staff and that the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and Seongdong Police Station did not follow proper procedures in handling the case.