Eight Rimini police officers suspended amid misconduct investigation

Eight officers in Rimini’s Falchi local police unit were suspended after a judge ordered them barred from duty for periods of six months to one year.

The officers are under investigation for alleged offences including falsifying records, causing injury, slander and coercion.

Investigators say some checks, particularly alcohol checks, were carried out by officers in plain clothes and sometimes without clearly identifying themselves.

The judge’s order says officers allegedly handcuffed people without proper grounds and wrote reports that did not match what happened.

Some officers described pressure and fear within the unit, including alleged threats to their jobs or careers if they objected to orders.

The judge also criticised the municipality and police command for not acting sooner, saying they should have known about the alleged conduct.

The officers deny the accusations and plan to challenge the suspension before a review court.