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Beijing, April 19 (IANS) Over 1,600 police officers across China have been relieved of their duties for violating a list of rules introduced to regulate police behaviour, the government said. In addition, 600 police officers have been "punished" in relation to unnatural deaths of suspects in police custody, Xinhua reported citing the ministry of public security. A total of 1.12 billion yuan (around $180 million) in cash that was illegally confiscated by police officers was retrieved. More than 3,400 police vehicles and 5,800 license plates that had been being kept for private use were also recovered. In 2003, the ministry issued new rules for police officials nationwide, forbidding them from using handguns, drinking while carrying their weapons, drunk driving, drinking while on duty and gambling. The ministry has been making efforts to forbid policemen from taking bribes and imposing fines at will.
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