KYOTO (TR) – A police officer in the prefecture here has been disciplined after leaving a loaded handgun and other official equipment in an unlocked room, claiming that following proper storage procedures was simply too much of a bother, reports TV Asahi (Aug. 21).
On the night of June 23, the male assistant inspector in his 30s finished his shift at a residential police box (chuzaisho). Before going off duty, he left his service weapon — loaded with five live rounds — along with his handcuffs and police badge in the adjoining living quarters.
The following day, the officer took a day off and left his jurisdiction. Under police protocol, he was required to check his weapon into his affiliated police station before leaving. Instead, he left the weapon behind in the living space with the front door completely unlocked, creating a situation where anyone could have easily wandered inside.
“I thought I had locked it,” the officer reportedly told investigators. “Going to the police station to drop it off takes time and was a hassle.”
The loaded gun and police equipment sat completely unsecured for approximately 12 hours. However, police confirmed that no one entered the residential space during that time.
In response to the severe breach of protocol, the Kyoto Prefectural Police announced that the assistant inspector has been slapped with a one-month pay reduction as a disciplinary measure.
