Seven traffic police officers, from Bang Khen police station in Bangkok, reported to their superiors last night over allegations that they assaulted a man whom they mistakenly believed had failed to comply with their instructions at an alcohol check road block on the night of November 3rd.
Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Noppasin Poonsawat said "We already have evidence to support charges (against the officers), including footage from CCTV cameras at the location where the alleged assault occurred."
Police will also speak to the alleged victim, to identify the officers and gather further details of the alleged assault.
The seven officers have been transferred following the filing of a complaint by the victim's father, a retired traffic police officer, who accused them of attacking his son after he was stopped at a checkpoint in Bang Khen, passed a blood-alcohol test and was allowed to leave.
The seven officers, traveling in a police pickup truck and on three motorcycle, then followed him, allegedly stopping him, demanding that he exit his car and assaulting him when he refused.
The father said that his son is currently receiving hospital treatment for injuries to his body and face.
Noppasin said an initial investigation indicates that the seven officers, three of whom were on duty and four off duty, confessed to mistakenly assuming that the man had failed a blood-alcohol test and had attempted to flee.
Noppasin explained that, while the officers are from Bang Khen police station, the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Khok Khram police station. Therefore, Khok Khram police will handle the case.
