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Kanagawa Police to Void 2,700 Traffic Tickets After Probe Into Falsified Records

Investigators say a patrol sergeant led improper practices within a small squad, prompting planned prosecutor referrals.

Overview

  • Prefectural police will cancel approximately 2,700 violations and prepare refunds totaling about ¥30–35 million to affected drivers.
  • The misconduct, identified within the 2nd Traffic Mobile Unit’s 4th Squad in Chigasaki, spanned March 2022 to September 2024.
  • Officers allegedly overstated following distances on tickets and created false on‑site inspection reports by reusing online maps without visiting scenes.
  • The case surfaced after a 2024 complaint that a recorded vehicle distance did not match what was observed, leading to a 1.5‑year internal review.
  • Authorities will set up a dedicated team and inquiry window, and plan to restore license statuses where improper enforcement led to downgrades or suspensions.