70-Year-Old Man Being Transported for Domestic Violence Commits Extreme Act in Police Car

Died After Self-Harming with Poison in Patrol Car Backseat
Police Likely Did Not Conduct Body Search... Internal Investigation Planned

A man in his 70s, who was arrested by the police on suspicion of domestic violence, died after attempting suicide while being taken to the police substation.

According to the police on the 10th, at around 8:40 a.m. that day, a domestic violence report was received from a house in Samcheon-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do. Two police officers responded after receiving a cooperation request from the fire department.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the time, the officers found a man in his 50s with a head injury inside the house and arrested his father, Mr. A, in his 70s, who had committed the crime with a blunt weapon, on the spot. However, since Mr. A was elderly and showed no resistance, handcuffs were not applied. Mr. A sat alone in the back seat and was taken to the local police substation.

However, upon arrival at the substation, located about five minutes away, Mr. A had already attempted self-harm using poison. He was immediately transported to the hospital by the officers but ultimately passed away.

Police investigation revealed that the tool Mr. A used to harm himself was found in the back seat of the patrol car. The vehicle’s black box footage confirmed that Mr. A took advantage of the moment when the officers were seated in the front to injure himself.

According to Article 49 of the Police Agency’s "Rules on Detention and Escort of Suspects," escorting officers must conduct a physical search necessary for safe escort before restraining the suspect. Article 57 also stipulates that when escorting a suspect by vehicle, officers must take measures to prevent escape and other accidents and monitor the suspect at an appropriate location.

However, following the National Human Rights Commission’s recommendation to revise Article 50, Paragraph 1, which mandates the use of handcuffs and restraints when suspects are transported to the escort station, the 2021 directive was amended to allow discretion. In cases where the identity is confirmed and there is no risk of escape, elderly individuals, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and patients are not required to be handcuffed or restrained.

The police acknowledged shortcomings in the suspect escort process and have launched a related investigation. A police official stated, "We are currently verifying the facts regarding the circumstances of Mr. A’s suicide attempt. Once the investigation is complete, disciplinary action will be taken according to the findings."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.