YOKOHAMA — A police officer in Japan was arrested on June 5 for allegedly attempting to defraud an insurance company over his motorcycle accident.
Kanagawa Prefectural Police arrested Shizuki Jinzenji, a 35-year-old senior officer at Hiratsuka Police Station’s second traffic division, on suspicion of attempted fraud. The prefectural police have not disclosed whether the suspect has admitted to the allegations.
Jinzenji is accused of trying to defraud an insurance firm in June 2021 by stating false purchase locations and dates for several items including a watch and a helmet he claimed were damaged during the accident the previous month and worth 1.37 million yen (about $8,800) in total.
According to the prefectural police’s inspection office, there was another accident in July 2023 involving a motorbike driven by Jinzenji, and the allegations surfaced while the police were investigating that case. The insurance company reportedly withheld payment due to a large claim. Both accidents occurred while the suspect was off duty.
Akihito Kato, head of the inspection office, commented, “This is an act that should not be committed by a police officer. We will respond strictly.”
(Japanese original by Chika Yokomi, Yokohama Bureau)