A police sergeant in his 20s [1] with the Saga Prefectural Police was dismissed after placing a fake bomb threat at a restaurant [1].
The incident highlights a severe breach of trust and professional conduct by a law enforcement officer who used a criminal act to avoid a social obligation.
The sergeant placed a note at a restaurant in Saga City, Saga Prefecture, claiming that a bomb had been set [1]. The incident occurred in March 2026 [1], [2]. Following an investigation, the officer was identified as the author of the note and charged via a document indictment [1].
According to investigators, the motive for the prank was the officer's desire to avoid a farewell party for retiring officers [1]. The sergeant said, "I did not want to attend the farewell party" [1].
Local authorities emphasized that the act was not born out of a professional dispute. A Saga Prefectural Police spokesperson said, "The crime was not committed out of a grudge against the prefectural police" [2].
The officer was fired from the force following the discovery of the prank. The Saga Prefectural Police have not released further details regarding the specific disciplinary proceedings beyond the dismissal [1], [2].
“"I did not want to attend the farewell party"”
This case demonstrates an extreme example of workplace avoidance resulting in criminal liability. By using a bomb threat to bypass a mandatory or expected professional gathering, the officer transitioned from a personal preference to a public safety threat, leading to the immediate loss of his career and legal charges.
