Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung has ordered the verification of a video clip capturing multiple traffic police officers receiving bribes from violators.

The municipal Department of Police has been tasked with probing the case and imposing suitable penalties if any wrongdoing is detected.

The results must be submitted to the city’s administration prior to March 20 as well as being provided to local media.

The traffic police division under the Hanoi police department previously suspended the officers, who were caught collecting unofficial fines in the video footage, from work on Tuesday morning.

The video clip was made by reporters from Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper and went viral after being uploaded to social media on Sunday morning.

During the seven-minute-long footage, many traffic offenders were seen pulling out banknotes worth VND100,000 (US$4.5) and VND200,000 ($9) from their wallets after being pulled over by officers.

The cash was given directly to the traffic cops or, in a more discreet manner, put inside the officers’ folders.

Meanwhile, the law enforcers appeared to check the violators’ driving licenses, brief them on their faults, and let them go as soon as the fines were paid.

An official from the Hanoi traffic police unit told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that several representatives have met with the editorial board of Tien Phong for more information.

“If there is sufficient evidence, we will impose stern punishments upon those officers responsible, as well as exerting efforts to prevent similar wrongdoings,” the police official elaborated.

In early September 2017, a team of Tuoi Tre reporters also shot a similar video, capturing the collection of unofficial fines of several officers near Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

Three officers involved were later identified and suspended for their offense.    

According to regulations, on-the-spot punishment for traffic violations can only be applied to warnings or fines worth VND250,000 ($11) and under. A receipt is required following the payment.

If the fines are higher, offenders will receive a written decision on their penalty and have their driving license taken away. They will have the documents back after paying the fines at the state treasury.

In both cases, traffic police must prepare reports of the violations.

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