‘Hardworking’ Chinese traffic police come in for hail of criticism over video rainstorm stunt
Traffic police in an eastern Chinese county have come in for a torrent of criticism for faking a rainstorm in a promotional video designed to show them as hardworking.
In a 10-second clip posted online by The Beijing Times on Friday, two cameramen appear to film a drenched officer directing traffic in a “downpour” in the middle of a road in Baofeng county, Henan province.
But instead of weathering an actual rainstorm, the officer is being hosed down by members of the film crew.
Internet users were quick to bucket the traffic police.
“Now we see where the news about hardworking police comes from,” one commenter said.
The clip was viewed tens of thousands of times, prompting the county police bureau to clarify that the stunt was part of a publicity effort to promote good behaviour.
“The county’s civilisation office asked the police department to cooperate in the filming of a promotional video,” the bureau said on its official microblog.
It also said one officer had been suspended from work pending further investigation.
“We have learned our lesson and will tighten management of our police crew to prevent a repeat of the incident,” the statement said.
One popular response to the online statement reflected confusion over the decision to suspend the officer.
“If this was a promotional video, why are they punishing someone?” the commenter said.
