Japan's National Police Agency Chief Yoshinobu Kusunoki addressed reporters on March 19 regarding improper traffic enforcement practices by the Kanagawa Prefectural Police. This issue centers on allegations that officers from the second traffic enforcement unit conducted improper traffic violation tickets between 2022 and 2024. Specific concerns involve officers falsely reporting distances while pursuing vehicles, along with creating false accident investigation records without actually conducting proper investigations. Kusunoki emphasized the seriousness of the matter, indicating that it could greatly harm public trust in traffic law enforcement.

In response to these allegations, the Kanagawa police are preparing to cancel about 2,700 traffic violations and refund approximately 35 million yen in previously collected fines. Further actions within the department may include the prosecution of several officers for creating and using fraudulent documents. Kusunoki confirmed the need for the police department to correct these practices and reaffirmed the importance of trust in police activities, which are fundamentally reliant on public confidence.

He noted that traffic enforcement must prioritize safety and focus on serious violations that pose significant risks. Kusunoki committed to guiding Kanagawa Prefectural Police in implementing measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, emphasizing that police activities must be conducted fairly and with integrity to maintain public trust in law enforcement.