KUMAMOTO (TR) – Kumamoto Prefectural Police have disciplined a male and female officer after they were found engaging in sexual acts inside a police station while on duty, reports Kumamoto TV (July 24).
The penalized officers are a male senior police officer in his 30s assigned to police headquarters, and a female senior police officer in her 20s working at a local station.
According to police, the pair had sex in a station nap room and a storage room while on night watch duty in November of last year and January of this year.
The illicit activities came to light earlier this year after headquarters received an anonymous tip alleging that the officers were involved in an “inappropriate relationship.”
An investigation revealed the two had previously worked together in the criminal division of the same police station last year. The male officer is married, a fact the female officer was fully aware of. Police also confirmed the pair carried on an ongoing extramarital affair at local hotels between September of last year and June of this year.
On Friday, Kumamoto Prefectural Police issued both officers a one-month, 10-percent pay reduction.
“We have caused tremendous trouble for the organization,” the officers were quoted as saying. “It was inexcusable behavior for police officers, and we are deeply sorry.” Both submitted their resignations on the same day.
Chief Inspector Akinori Shibuya of the Kumamoto Prefectural Police issued a public apology over the scandal.
“This is inexcusable behavior for police personnel, and we deeply apologize to the residents of the prefecture,” Shibuya said. “We will provide thorough guidance to all staff and strive to prevent any recurrence.”
