The former deputy director of the Zhangyi township police station in Yuanzhou district of Guyuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, who was dismissed from his supervising law enforcement position after assaulting a juvenile, has sparked widespread public debate, according to Yangtze Evening News.
On a Friday afternoon, an individual named Mr. Wang led his team to a school in response to a call from a resident whose child had allegedly been assaulted by a classmate.
Two third-grade students reported being assaulted by a sixth-grader named Xiao Ma. When Xiao Ma had left the scene, Mr. Wang and an auxiliary police officer searched for him. Upon finding the boy, they reportedly kicked and beat him before returning him to his teacher's office to await his parents.
Following an investigation into the incident, the city's public security bureau dismissed Mr. Wang from his position on Sunday.
Netizens have expressed mixed opinions, as reported by Yangtze Evening News. Some believe that while Xiao Ma was at fault, Mr. Wang, as a law enforcement officer, should not have resorted to violence. Others argue that since there is no legal punishment for juvenile bullies, Mr. Wang was upholding justice, and his dismissal was excessive.
Some netizens have shown support for Mr. Wang by sending silk banners to the police station. A staff member at a local advertising company mentioned receiving orders for banners from about a dozen netizens nationwide, with plans to deliver them the following day.
One criminal defense lawyer, commented on the incident, stating that Mr. Wang had broken the law, which forbids police officers from beating individuals while on duty. "The administrative penalty is in accordance with the law and regulations," The lawyer said, adding that the Law on the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency allows public security departments, along with education and judicial departments, to take appropriate corrective education measures for minors with serious misconduct.
"For students with repeated misbehavior or serious bullying, schools and education departments have the authority to send the child to specialized schools. If a crime is committed, criminal responsibility should be pursued according to the law," He said.
Well, what do you think?