Police unit from Vama Veche accused of refusing to intervene citing shift changeover
A 35-year-old woman was assaulted in Vama Veche, and a police unit allegedly refused to intervene, claiming their shift had ended. The County Police Inspectorate of Constanța has opened internal investigations.
Police accused of abandoning assault victim in Vama Veche, citing shift changeover
Stirileprotv.ro reports that a unit from Vama Veche – 2 Mai Police Station No. 2 is accused of failing to intervene in the case of a woman assaulted by her partner in the Vama Veche resort during last weekend. The reason cited, according to a witness who posted an account on Facebook, was that the police officers' shift was ending.
The report was received on Saturday through the 112 emergency line: a 35-year-old woman was being assaulted by her partner in a tent they were using together. Representatives of the County Police Inspectorate of Constanța stated that the police officers arrived at the scene and found that the assault had occurred "against the background of a spontaneous verbal conflict and alcohol consumption". The entire intervention and statements from the people involved were recorded with a Body Worn Camera.
The County Police Inspectorate of Constanța mentioned that a risk assessment form was completed, with a negative result, and that the victim was informed of all her legal rights, including the possibility of obtaining a protection order. A criminal file was opened for domestic violence, with investigations continuing to establish the exact circumstances.
Testimony from a witness
The picture described by a direct witness differs significantly. He wrote on his Facebook page that a man "had literally knocked out the teeth of another woman in a beating" and that a woman present had intervened alone to protect the victim. The witness claims that the police officer heading the unit tried to intimidate those present, and after learning there was a risk that the press would report the case, "left the two women in the middle of a dark street and decided the entire unit would leave, claiming their shift was changing".
Following the unit's departure, the victim or witness called the 112 service again. This time a gendarmerie unit intervened, which, according to the same witness, "acted with more empathy, called an ambulance and reported the matter to the police again, through official channels".
Internal investigations at County Police Inspectorate of Constanța
The leadership of the County Police Inspectorate of Constanța confirmed on Monday that it had ordered investigations into the manner in which the police officers involved had intervened. "The County Police Inspectorate of Constanța firmly reaffirms its commitment to zero tolerance towards acts of violence and reassures the community that any breach of ethics and professional procedures by its personnel will be sanctioned strictly, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 360/2002 on the Status of the Police Officer", the institution stated in its communication.
The case became public after the witness's account circulated on a social network, prompting the leadership of the County Police Inspectorate of Constanța to respond publicly and to initiate the internal control procedure.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)