KANAGAWA (TR) – Kanagawa Prefectural Police on Friday referred a 52-year-old police officer to prosecutors for allegedly leaking confidential information regarding an impending arrest and raid to a yakuza member last year, reports the Asahi Shimbun (July 24).
The male assistant inspector, assigned to the Kawasaki Police Station, was slapped with a six-month disciplinary suspension on Thursday for violating the Local Public Service Act, according to investigative sources.
Between October 23 and 30, the officer allegedly tipped off an acquaintance in a crime syndicate over the phone, warning him about an upcoming police raid and an arrest warrant targeting a fellow gang member.
Upon questioning, the officer admitted to the allegations. In explaining his bizarre motive, he told investigators, “By sharing investigative information, I wanted to maintain a sense of personal superiority over the yakuza.”
“I knew it was something I shouldn’t do, but I did it anyway. I am reflecting on my actions,” he added.
The leak occurred despite a strict directive issued by the prefectural police last spring, which explicitly prohibited investigators from contacting individuals associated with organized crime in an effort to stamp out inappropriate relationships with anti-social forces.
The Kanagawa Prefectural Police Inspector’s Office condemned the incident. “This is an outrageous act that destroys public trust in the police,” the office said in a statement. “We have dealt with this strictly based on the results of our investigation, and we will continue to thoroughly strengthen operational and personnel management.”
