The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) suspects a former Thung Song Police Station superintendent is guilty of swindling his subordinates' Covid-related allowances last year.
Last year, the Royal Thai Police allocated Covid-19-related allowances to the station. The money was meant to be given to police officers who worked overtime amid the Covid-19 pandemic. However, not every officer who worked extra shifts received the extra 60 baht per hour.
Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, deputy secretary-general of the NACC, yesterday said the anti-graft body launched a probe into allegations of malfeasance against then-superintendent of Thung Song Police, Pol Col Sompong Thipaphakul, over the allowances.
On Sept 29 last year, Pol Col Sompong reportedly chaired a Covid-19 allowance meeting with about 200 police officer to talk about budgeting and the disbursement of money to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the economy.
At the time, he reportedly said he wanted police officers who were eligible to receive an allowance of 15,000 baht each.
Any officer who failed to comply with his command would reportedly be transferred, Mr Niwatchai said.
He said the NACC found that Pol Col Sompong violated Section 157 of Criminal Code and the Organic Act on Counter Corruption, a serious offence.
Thung Song Police will reportedly force other officers involved in the scheme to return the money that was taken.
The case will be submitted to the attorney-general for prosecution, Mr Niwatchai said.
He added that it will also be forwarded to a higher court for further legal action under Section 91 of the Organic Act on Counter Corruption.