Szczecin traffic police on corruption charge

According to the prosecutor, an expensive bottle of vodka, whisky or cash was enough for a driver in Szczecin not to pay a ticket. The scale of the corruption was revealed by an internal investigation. "The most popular offenses for which drivers were stopped was lack of insurance, lack of technical inspection, and lack of documents. They also included exceeding speed limits and even collisions. The policemen rather than imposing heavy fines and points just issued warnings," said Prosecutor Renata Pietrzak. According to Rzeczpospolita, the prosecutor has revealed 70 cases of corruption among Szczecin's police officers. Some 30 cases are presently being formally charged. "Right now no one is sure of anything. Everyone is waiting his turn. We stopped talking to each other. We feel hounded. Some are going on holidays or taking sick leave," said one of the officers. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A1) A.K.