The Hyogo Prefectural Police arrested a 49-year-old lieutenant on Thursday on suspicion of stealing ¥2 million at a residence where he investigated an apparent suicide.
The suspect, Yoji Yamashita, and five others visited a 71-year-old woman's house on March 27 to inspect the site where her husband had hanged himself. Yamashita has owned up to the theft, the police said.
The officer allegedly stole ¥2 million from a bag in the first-floor living room sometime between mid-March to April 10, when the woman discovered that the money was gone. She reported it to the police next day.
On Monday, an envelope containing the money was found in the woman's garage. Yamashita admitted that he meant to return the money to her.
The Hyogo police have recently been involved in scandals, including over investigation expenses and internal rules.
"I sincerely regret the case because it damages people's trust in police activities. We will take strict actions against it," said Hiroyuki Komoto, who is in charge of inspectors on the prefectural force.