Massive 'extortion racket' run by top traffic cop in Siberia is exposed by almost 150 officers

The ordinary traffic police officers say they were forced to pay their senior officers 1,500 roubles (around $45) per shift in bribes they had taken from motorists. The 148 police officers who backed the complaint have called on President Vladimir Putin to personally oversee the probe into the stunning claims. 

They demanded that Tyumen regional and city police chiefs should be suspended to 'ensure the security of each traffic police inspector until the investigation is completed'.

Besedin was the mastermind of the scam, say the officers, who claimed those who did not join it were bullied or forced out of the service. No response is reported from Besedin.

Paying bribes to traffic police is seen as widespread across Russia and is accepted as a fact of life by many motorists. Drivers are stopped for spurious reasons and pay the bribe to avoid the red tape involved with traffic offences. Or police demand cash in their pocket as a way of turning a blind eye to real offences. 

Recently, though, drivers have taken to fitting dashboard cameras in their cars in an attempt to stop false allegations by traffic policemen. 'The government has tried to crack down on corruption in the force by increasing police pay, and stiffening the penalties for taking bribes,' according to RIA Novosti.