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Many police unpunished for misdeeds
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TWO police officers have been disciplined after video footage online showed them scuffling with two women at a small restaurant in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province.
In the widely seen video, the officers were also caught insulting the women with foul language. The incident occurred on December 18.
The Chengdu police department explained on its official microblog last Monday that the women involved in the incident were both drunk and had assaulted the officers first.
According to the official statement, the officers’ supervisor apologized to the women on Monday afternoon while the two parties reached an understanding. The police explanation suggested quick resolution and a happy ending, but the public might well be skeptical. Many netizens asserted that the two officers abused their power, while others condemned what they called police “brutality.”
China’s law on penalties in the administration of public security has clear rules for dealing with people who are intoxicated, but foul language and use of force are not permitted. The two officers should unconditionally accept all the blame, since they violated due process in dealing with the situation.
What happened in Chengdu is not an isolated event.
An officer in Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province, broke into a a room in a public bath house while a couple were bathing on December 31.
According to media reports, officer Zhang Weihua broke in alone, without showing his credentials and photographed the couple naked in a bathtub.
He later explained that he suspected the venue was engaged in prostitution. The truth is that the couple were married and went to the bath house for a warm bath since their apartment was not heated.
The woman, who was eight months’ pregnant, was deeply offended. The next day she was feverish and could not stop shaking from fright.
Relevant laws and police rules are clear — at least two uniformed officers with credentials are required when they check a venue, while only female officers can check female suspects. The rules were not followed by officer Zhang.
A woman in Haikou City, capital of Hainan Province, suffered a mental disorder after she was mistakenly placed in police custody for 10 days.
Li Chang was detained on December 17 on suspicion of a theft in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province.
Police said Li was a wanted fugitive and turned her over to Guangzhou police. Li was handcuffed on a chair during interrogation and slept on a cement floor when she was detained.
Finally, police realized that they had detained the wrong person, since Li had been impersonated by someone who stole her ID.
Police informed Li’s husband of her whereabouts and sent her back without any formal explanation of their mistake and the harsh treatment.
How can our society be fair and just if so many police men and women are not duly punished for wrongdoing?
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