“Police Taking Naps” Residents' Reports Result in Police Commissioner Commendation Going Up in Smoke

With a Superior Taking a Nap During Patrol Duty
Disqualified by Official Warning...Recommendation for Commendation Withdrawn

During special security operations, a police officer who was with a superior officer taking a nap while on patrol duty had their recommendation for the Commissioner General's Commendation withdrawn.

On the 20th, according to the police, the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul withdrew the commendation recommendation for Police Officer A, who belongs to the local precinct, after it was confirmed that they had received an official warning, which is a disqualifying factor.

In August, Police Officer A was on patrol duty at a subway station exit with their superior, Inspector B. At that time, a series of violent incidents involving weapons had occurred, and the police had declared special security operations nine days prior as a measure to respond to these incidents.

During the special security operations, police officers were required to get out of their vehicles and patrol on foot as part of heightened vigilance. However, Inspector B parked the patrol car by the roadside and took a nap, with Police Officer A inside the vehicle with him.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

A resident, noticing the patrol car standing in the alley for an extended period, checked inside the vehicle and reported to 112 that "the police are taking a nap." Following an internal investigation, it was confirmed that Inspector B had indeed taken a nap.

It was also revealed that Inspector B closed a 112 report received at the precinct without reporting it to higher authorities. As a result, Inspector B received an official warning for neglect of duty, and Police Officer A, who was riding along, also received the same official warning.

Nevertheless, the Yongsan Police Station submitted a recommendation for Police Officer A to receive the Commissioner General's Commendation in celebration of Police Day, following the station chief's endorsement. The Commissioner General's Commendation, the highest honor in the police, is finalized after the station chief's recommendation and approval by the National Police Agency.

Later, after confirming that Police Officer A had received an official warning, Yongsan Police Station withdrew the commendation recommendation.

An official warning is a disciplinary measure issued at the discretion of the head of a police agency for minor issues that do not warrant formal disciplinary action. It is a lower-level sanction than an undocumented warning referred to a disciplinary committee, does not constitute formal discipline, but may result in personnel disadvantages such as hindrance to future promotions.

A police official explained, "Since the recommendation was made at the end of September by the station chief, we could not check the personnel records. After confirming the disqualifying factor, we withdrew the commendation recommendation."

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