Some 569 police officers and administrative employees were disciplined in 2002, an increase of 83 from the previous year, the National Police Agency said Thursday.

In a report submitted to the National Public Safety Commission, the agency said police departments in all 47 prefectures implemented disciplinary measures in 2002.

"We are taking the situation very seriously. We will continue to tighten supervision in order to reduce misconduct," the NPA said in a statement.

According to the NPA, 60 police officers and administrative employees were dismissed in 2002, up 22 from the previous year, while 79 were suspended, the same as the year before.

The number of police officers and administrative employees who suffered pay cuts totaled 229, up 56, while those who were issued warnings came to 201, up five.

Problems tied to drinking and relations with the opposite sex topped the list of offenses that triggered disciplinary action last year, with 107 cases.

Traffic accidents and violations came next at 102.

There were 80 theft, fraud and embezzlement cases, and 62 cases of dereliction of duty.

By prefecture, Kanagawa police topped the disciplinary action list with 66 cases. Tokyo police came next with 52 cases; Saitama police ranked third with 35 cases; and Chiba police ranked fourth with 33.

The results came despite a series of reforms initiated in 2000 in an effort to crack down on police misconduct.