Prosecutors in Nuremberg, Germany are investigating three police officers implicated in a scheme to manipulate photo radar ticket speed readings. The charge centers on an officer in the Bavarian city of Neumarkt who allegedly forged speed camera log entries in an attempt to protect the son of a colleague from the consequences of speeding.

According to Mittelbayerische Zeitung, the young driver had been photographed while doing 96km/h (60 MPH) in a 50km/h (31 MPH) zone. Ordinarily that speed would have meant four points on his license leading to a suspension of his driving privileges. To prevent that from happening, the youth's father convinced an officer who worked on the traffic enforcement program to alter records so that he was charged with driving only 70 km/h (43 MPH), a minor offense carrying no points and a fine of just 35 Euros (US $45).

Neumarkt Police Chief Helmut Lukas, 53, was drawn into the scandal because prosecutors believe the changes could not have been made without his authorization. An anonymous letter from within the police force tipped off investigators to the incident. Lukas has denied any wrongdoing.

The accused officers have been temporarily assigned to other duties pending the outcome of the investigation. Lukas, a senior civil service member, has been transferred to the services division of the Regensburg Police Directorate with full pay. The officers could face up to five years in prison if charged with forgery and tampering with evidence.