Traffic cop 'used uniform to get freebies'

(ANSA) - Piacenza, August 21 - A traffic police inspector has been suspended for allegedly leaning on local tradesmen to give him free goods, prosecutors in the northern city of Piacenza said Friday.
    The 59-year-old may face fraud and corruption charges after he allegedly used his position as a chief inspector to obtain groceries, coffee, firewood and construction material to renovate his home.
    Investigators say he showed up at shops in uniform and at the wheel of a police car, threatening sanctions or inspections unless he was given freebies.
    He also faked illness to get sick leave to work on his home, police said.