A policeman in Linzhou, Henan province, is under investigation on suspicion of throwing a 7-month-old girl on the ground. The incident has outraged the public not only because the alleged perpetrator is a policeman, but also because police authorities tried to cover it up, says an article in Oriental Morning Post. Excerpts:

Judging from the surveillance video, the policeman, Guo Zengxi, indeed snatched the infant from her parents and threw her on the ground. Irrespective of whether a drunken brawl or an argument over parking a vehicle prompted Guo to get violent, the fact is, he did commit a crime by throwing a kid on the ground. What makes Guo's action more heinous is that he is a law enforcement officer, for which he deserves the strictest punishment.

Despite the severity of the incident, police authorities didn't file a criminal case against Guo as the law demands. Worse, they even tried to protect Guo in an interview with reporters.

The police authorities imposed a 15-day "confinement" on Guo for his action, which is a special punishment tailored for policemen. But many people think the "confinement" was a ploy to help Guo escape trial for his criminal action.

Had it not been for journalists' efforts to seek justice and the public outrage the authorities would not have reconsidered the case.

The action of a single policeman can ruin the reputation and credibility of an entire police force. But if a police force corrects its mistakes and helps the law take its course, citizens will have more faith in equality and justice.

(China Daily 08/22/2013 page9)