National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda yesterday took the Phahonyothin police station chief to task over a scandal in which junior officials' salaries were docked to raise money to pay for the installation of air-conditioners at the station.
Pol Gen Chakthip said it was the station superintendent's job to make sure the workplace was properly-equipped without any need to solicit money from officers to pay for office equipment or supplies.
The police chief was commenting on the scandal in which the two inspectors, Pol Maj Chalakorn Pandaeng and Pol Maj Ekkarat Omak, were accused of malpractice for deducting money from the salaries of 11 junior police officers at the station to fund the purchase and installation of air conditioners in the inquiry room.
The scandal came to light when Pol Sgt Maj Lersak Nonkhunthod filed a petition with the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) demanding a probe for alleged malpractice.
He said the issue concerned the station's internal affairs and he believed that hundreds of police stations resorted to this kind of practice when they could not wait for annual budget.
He said it depended on how the station chiefs would manage the station's affairs and how they approached their subordinates.
According to Pol Gen Chakthip, the two inspectors' motives should also be considered.
Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Charnthep Sesaves will be asked to look into the issue, which should serve as a lesson, he said.
Pol Gen Chakthip said he disagreed with the junior policeman's decision to petition the PACC, noting the officer should have taken it through the police chain of command.
"But if there is someone to blame for this matter, it is the unit chief. I won't blame the junior officers," he said.
Pol Gen Jarumporn Suramanee, member of the PACC, said the petition is being handled by the PACC office, which will determine whether to summon 11 officers for questioning.
Pol Maj Gen Ekkachai Boonwisut, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, said an initial inquiry showed most officers agreed to have their pay deducted but some might not be happy with it.
