An investigative journalist team conducted a sting operation to expose police corruption in the Poltava region of Ukraine. They found police officers stopping vehicles and falsely accusing drivers of not using low beam headlights outside populated areas, which carries a fine of 425 hryvnia. However, according to current legislation, only a warning is given for this offense.
The journalists observed the police officers receiving bribes from drivers in exchange for not issuing fines. They also recorded conversations with the police officers, who asked for 200 hryvnia in bribes.
The team then confronted one of the police officers, who refused to introduce himself or show his badge number. The officer eventually revealed his badge number as 0130212, and the journalists reported the incident to the police management.
An internal investigation is being carried out, and the police management has stated that they are not interested in having such corrupt police officers on their team. The incident has been reported to the prosecutor's office, and a special commission has been created to investigate the matter.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Police officers in the Poltava region of Ukraine were stopping vehicles that did not have their low beam headlights on outside of populated areas.
2. The police officers were accusing the drivers of committing a gross offense and threatening to fine them 425 hryvnia.
3. According to current legislation, only a warning is given for this offense.
4. It was alleged that police officers were receiving undue benefits in exchange for not bringing drivers to administrative responsibility.
5. An undercover investigation was conducted to verify these allegations.
6. A police officer was caught on camera asking for 200 hryvnia in exchange for not issuing a fine.
7. The police officer was identified as Roman Grigorievich, a policeman with the RPP number two of Poltava.
8. The incident was reported to internal security and the leadership of the police.
9. An internal investigation is being carried out, and the police management is taking actions against the police officers involved.
10. Materials are being taken for a decision in the legal field and will be sent to the prosecutor's office.
11. A special commission has been created to conduct an investigation into the incident.
12. The investigation materials will be sent to the prosecutor's office, and decisions will be made, including management personnel decisions.