Report on the Security Situation in the Czech Republic in 1999
(in comparison with 1998)

Contents

2.3.4. Crimes Committed by Members of the Czech police, Czech Army, Employees of the Customs Administration and Members and Civilian Staff of the Czech Prison Service12)

The Ministry of the Interior Inspection determined an increase in the number of policemen prosecuted and crimes ascertained. The data only concern ascertained and cleared up crimes. The rise in the delinquency of policemen rather, means the decrease of the level of latent crime (for example the number of detected crimes of insurance frauds commenced in the previous years) than the absolute increase in crimes committed by Czech policemen. Improved co-operation with the Czech police also meant improved detection of such crimes.

Development in Crimes Committed by Czech policemen
Crimes ascertained in Year
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Number of offenders 228 276 270 305 245 306 345
Percentage change in comparison with the previous year 6.0 -4.2 -2.2 13.0 -19.7 24.9 12.7
Number of crimes 376 355 321 374 287 373 438
Percentage change in comparison with the previous year 9.0 -5.6 -9.6 16.5 -23.3 30.0 17.4
Number of crimes/1,000 policemen 8.6 7.6 7.1 8.5 6.4 8.3 9.7

Graph - development in crime committed by Czech policemen from 1993 to 1999

In 1999 the growth in delinquency of policemen, commenced in 1998, continuing over the last two years means a return to the period when the delinquency of policemen had increased on a long-term basis. However, the dynamic of policemen crimes decreased in 1999 (in comparison with 1998).

Graph - Development in the number of crimes commited by policemen and the number of offenders in the Czech Republick from 1993 to 1999

The chart illustrates the percentage changes in the numbers of ascertained offenders and numbers of committed crimes in different years.

As for the shares of the individual regions in the total number of ascertained offenders, the most crimes were committed by the policemen on duty in North Moravia and in Prague. It should be taken into account that the duty place is given in the time the crime was committed and does not have to correspond with a policeman's membership in the relevant regional office of the Czech police.

Crimes of policemen - the share of the regions in the total number of ascertained offenders and crimes in 1998 and 1999
REGION 1998 1999
Offenders Crime Offenders Crime
Number % Number % Number % Number %
Prague 59 19.3 70 18.8 72 20.87 137 31.28
Central Bohemia 6 1.96 10 2.7 24 6.96 21 4.79
South Bohemia 22 7.2 28 7.5 27 7.83 28 6.39
West Bohemia 31 10.1 36 9.6 33 9.57 33 7.53
North Bohemia 42 13.7 53 14.2 50 14.49 69 15.75
East Bohemia 27 8.8 38 10.2 34 9.86 26 5.94
South Moravia 52 16.99 70 18.8 31 8.99 52 11.87
North Moravia 67 21.9 68 18.2 74 21.45 72 16.44
Total 306 100 373 100 345 100 438 100

If we compare the number of ascertained police offenders with the total number of policemen on duty in the relevant region, the largest delinquency was recorded in North Moravia, which is 1.04 %, and in North Bohemia (0.97 %). The smallest share is in South Moravia (0.46 %), Central Bohemia (0.64 %) and in Prague (0.70 %).

Of the total number of offenders (345), investigations were concluded in 215 cases, of which 179 by means of bringing charges, in accordance with Sec.166/3 of the Code Criminal Procedure. In 10 cases, there was a withdrawal of prosecution in accordance with Sec. 172 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. In two cases, the prosecution was withdrawn with a suspension (Sec. 307 and 308 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.) 23 cases were adjourned in accordance with Sec. 159/2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The ratio of police offenders among NCOs (237 offenders) and the police officer ranks (108 offenders) remained stable (69:31). In three previous years, the percentage ratio of police among NCOs and the police officer ranks in terms of committed crimes was very similar (71:29 in 1998, 63:37 in 1997, and 67:33 in 1996).

Despite stagnation, the largest groups in terms of age were policemen aged up to 30 (162 offenders, 157 policemen 1998); the number of 132 policemen aged between 30 and 40 years meant a substantial growth (only 91 policemen in 1998).

This is also closely related to the length of service in the Czech police. The highest number of offences were committed by policemen with less than 5 years' experience - 135 crimes (156 crimes in 1998), and 5 to 10 years'experience -190 crimes (134 crimes in 1998). The policemen employed from 10 to 15 years committed only 43 crimes (30 crimes in 1998). Young policemen's lack of experience of life and professional work is one special cause. The category of prosecuted policemen with shorter periods of service is, to a large extent, identical to the category of offenders aged 20 - 30.

In 1999, of the total number of 438 crimes ascertained 282 crimes were committed on duty, while 155 crimes were committed off duty. In 1998, the situation was different. Policemen committed 165 crimes on duty and 208 off duty.

In proportion to the total number of ascertained offenders (345): the highest numbers of police offenders remain in the uniformed police (174, +15), followed by traffic police (63, +23), criminal police (35, +14), immigration and border police (18, -12) and investigation police (15, +3). The large proportion of uniformed police is given by the fact that there are the highest numbers of policemen and also by the fact that the members of uniformed police are the youngest ones.

In the structure of offences committed by policemen, the crimes qualified as abuse of power by public officials remain dominant with 166 cases in 1999 (104 cases in 1998), which is almost 38 % of the total number of crimes. The number of offences qualified as wilful injury to health decreased to 17 cases (in 1998 there were 32 cases), which represented a decline by 50 %. 54 traffic offences (Sections 179, 180, 184, 201, 223, 224, and 257), represent the level from 1998. On the other hand, there was a marked increase in frauds - 44 cases ascertained in 1999 (in 1998 there were only 26 cases). It is necessary to emphasise that in 1999 there were also 12 insurance frauds (while in the previous years there was no such case - see “Tables”).

In total, 102 (+4 persons) members of the Czech police13) were lawfully sentenced (0.1 % of the total number of sentenced offenders). The offenders were most frequently sentenced for abuse of power by a public official - 33 offenders (Sec. 158 the Criminal Code.) and injury to health through negligence (Sec. 224 of the Criminal Code - 12 persons).

Prague and North Moravian courts sentenced the highest number of offenders - 23 (22.5 % of the total number of sentenced policemen) or 17 (16.6 %) respectively. The courts of South Bohemia sentenced the lowest number of policemen - 2 (1.9 %).

Military police (hereinafter MP) investigated 5,830 (-5.5 %) cases in which crime suspects were officers of the Ministry of Defence and the Czech Army (hereinafter CA). In 95 % of cases the offenders were soldiers on compulsory military service, which means that there were 166 offenders for every 1,000 soldiers in compulsory military service (in 1998 - 167 soldiers). The MP investigated a total of 11 offenders for every 1,000 professional soldiers (in 1998 - 12 persons). As for the professional soldiers, the soldiers up to 35 years of age were the most frequent crime offenders (about 60 % of all investigated persons in this category).

Despite the positive decline of investigation cases in the category of military crimes (in comparison with 1998 there was more than a 10 % decrease), the proportion of military crimes (Chapter XII of the Criminal Code) of the total number of crimes is still 66 %. Crimes against property and economic offences represent 26 %, while other crimes and offences only 8 %.14)

Soldiers in compulsory military service committed, in terms of military crimes, mainly absence without leave and desertion (i.e.. 48 % of the total number of military crimes). MP investigated 256 crimes of violation of soldiers'rights and protected interests (Sec. 279(a) and 279(b) of the Criminal Code), so called bullying (-20 %); this crime accounted for 4.5 % of total crimes committed by the members of CA (5.2 % in 1998). Almost in all cases the offenders of such crimes were soldiers in compulsory military service (98 %).

MP investigated 21 cases (-60 %) of unauthorised arming, 16 cases of which involved thefts of arms, explosive agents, ammunition and other army material. 7 cases involved more serious thefts of army material (guns, machine guns 58 or 61, RG F-1, explosive agents). The substantial part of offenders was transferred under the investigation of the Czech police as they were suspicious of committing the crimes qualified as unauthorised arming.

370 persons were examined in terms of abuse of narcotics (in 1998 - 189) - the soldiers in compulsory military service represented 99 % . About 90 % of the offenders abused soft drugs, especially marijuana.15)

In total, 1,837 (-425 persons) members of the Czech Army were sentenced (2.9 %). The offenders were most frequently sentenced for absence without leave in accordance with Sec. 284 of the Criminal Code - 497 persons (27,0 %) and desertion in accordance with Sec. 282 of the Criminal Code - 206 persons (11.2 %).
Central Bohemian courts sentenced the highest number of offenders - 470 (25.5 % of the total number of the sentenced members of the Czech Army). Southern Moravian courts sentenced 381 persons (20.7 %) and North Moravian courts 360 persons (19.5 %).

Customs Administration Control Departments performed a number of both planned and unplanned inspections. On the basis of their inspections 26 customs officers were laid out, 8 customs officers were exempt from duty. In 295 cases customs officers were reprimanded (in 219 their salaries were decreased). The measures taken also related to the civil employees - termination of job contracts in three cases, written notification in 19 cases, and in 2 cases the salaries were decreased.

In total, 350 (-36) members of prison service (hereinafter PS) were investigated on suspicion of committing crimes while on duty and off duty. In accordance with the provisions of Sec. 159 par. 1 of the Criminal Code, cases were adjourned for 234 (-33) PS members and, in accordance with Sec. 159/1b and 171/1 of the Criminal Code, 58 (-2) PS members were transferred for disciplinary proceedings. Prosecution was halted for 4 PS members. 14 members of PS were accused. Investigations continue for 35 PS members. Criminal proceedings were commenced for 22 (+3) civilian PS employees, of which 9 civilian PS employees (+2) cases were adjourned.

The courts lawfully sentenced 13 (0.02 %) PS members (16 PS members in 1998). The most frequent crimes were: abuse of power by a public official, injures to health through negligence and frauds.
North Bohemian courts sentenced 5 PS members, West Bohemian courts 2 and North Moravian courts 2 PS members.

2. Crime, Development in Individual Kinds of Crime and Security Risks

2.1. Crime by Regions. Regional Variations
2.2. Misdemeanours
2.3. Offenders
2.3.1. The Crimes of Repeat Offenders
2.3.2. Crimes Committed by Foreigners
2.3.3.Crimes Committed on Youth and by Youth
2.3.4. Crimes Committed by Members of the Czech police, Czech Army, Employees of the Customs Administration and Members and Civilian Staff of the Czech Prison Service
2.4. Victims of Crimes
2.4.1. Information on Victims of Crimes
2.4.2. Information Gathered from the Research of Security Feeling and Attitude of People to Security Risks
2.5. Crimes against property
2.6. Economic Crime, Corruption
2.7. Crimes of Violence
2.8. Crimes against Human Dignity (Moral Crimes)
2.9. Breach of Public Order and Hooliganism, Street Crime
2.10. Crimes Committed on Railways
2.11. Crimes Having Extremist Nature
2.12. Protection of Official Secrets
2.13. Illegal Migration
2.14. Organised Crime
2.15. Terrorism
2.16. Illegal trade in Arms and Explosives
2.17. People Trafficking
2.18. Forgery
2.19. Drugs
2.20. Road Safety
2.21. Searches for Persons and Articles
2.22. Communist Crime Investigation

Contents


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