Romania PM urged to fire police chief in child abuse case

BUCHAREST, Romania – Romania’s interior minister has urged the prime minister to fire the police chief after a traffic officer was detained on suspicion of sexually abusing two children.

Interior Minister Carmen Dan said Tuesday she had asked Premier Mihai Tudose to dismiss police chief Bogdan Despescu after a traffic officer was detained on suspicion of abusing a five-year-old girl and a nine-year-old boy in an elevator.

The dismissal call comes a day after the 45-year-old officer was detained following a three-day manhunt after CCTV images showing the alleged abuse were broadcast.

Dan said the police department “needs to regain public trust.”

Police say the officer confessed to the abuse.