The Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has vowed to act against two senior Phahon Yothin police inspectors if its initial probe finds the pair unlawfully had officers' money deducted to buy a new air conditioner.
The agency is examining evidence submitted by one of the officers to ascertain whether to conduct a full investigation, said Kornthip Daroj, secretary-general of the PACC Monday.
He said the examination of the evidence, including the inspectors' Line chats, will not take more than three months.
According to media reports, the two inspectors are Pol Maj Ekkarat Omak and Pol Maj Chalakon Pandaeng.
Last Tuesday, Pol Sgt Loesak Nonkhunthot complained to the PACC that the pair had ordered him and other 10 other low-ranking officers to pay between 2,000 and 4,000 baht for the purchase.
The air conditioner, priced at 25,000 baht, was installed in the investigation unit in Phahon Yothin Police Station.
Pol Sgt Loesak did not understand why the officers had to shoulder an expense which should be paid for by the state.
He said the deductions were taken from allowances he and his colleagues received for their mission to monitor street demonstrators last year, according to his complaint.
Though Pol Sgt Loesak lodged the complaint alone, the PACC will treat the case seriously, Pol Lt Col Kornthip said.
Former Phahon Yohin police chief Yanyong Santiprichawat earlier said the purchase arose out of an "internal agreement" under which all officers, regardless of their ranks, made contributions for police station equipment.
Pol Col Yanyong, now deputy chief of Metropolitan Police Division 2, said he was not informed that the old air-conditioner was not working. The unit also had not requested a budget for the purchase.
