Chilean government not to tolerate police brutality

SANTIAGO - Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said Wednesday that his government would not tolerate police brutality.

The remarks came after the police was accused of mistreating student protesters who were demanding educational reforms.

Students in Chile have been protesting since 2011 to demand free and quality public education.

The students and their parents have recently claimed that police sexually molested students or used excessive force when breaking up the demonstrations or evicting students from school buildings they had occupied.

The police was also accused of making arbitrary arrests, beating students, and even forcing student protesters to strip naked.

"Of course I am concerned with this matter. We are absolutely not going to tolerate any excess, any police abuse. We have investigated each and every one of the complaints," said Pinera.

Nevertheless, Pinera added that "in many cases, the complaints are irresponsible, made lightly, that later have no claim".

"If there has been abuse or excess, which is being investigated, we will be the first to demand that it be penalized and corrected," said Pinera.

Also on Wednesday, Chilean Police General Director Gustavo Gonzalez told reporters before testifying to the Senate that four police officers would be disciplined for forcing student protesters to strip naked.

Gonzalez said 10 arrested students were forced to take their clothes off, including a minor girl and boy who were detained for occupying their school in Rancagua, south of Santiago.