Control Yuan: Plainclothes Police Arrested Wrong Person and Used Abusive Language; Censures Kaohsiung Fengshan Police
Taiwan's Control Yuan censured the Fengshan Police Department for a botched drug raid where plainclothes officers wrongly arrested a female teacher, used verbal abuse, and violated legal procedures.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 16:41
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 17:01 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 03:07 (10h 5m after Collected)
(Taipei, 27th, Central News Agency) The Control Yuan stated that officers from the Zhongxiao Precinct of the Kaohsiung City Police Bureau, Fengshan Branch, while conducting a cross-district drug raid in plainclothes in April 2025, arrested the wrong person. They forcibly detained a female teacher named Lin on the street and took her to the station, using abusive language. This violated legal procedures. Therefore, the Control Yuan passed a motion to censure the Kaohsiung City Police Bureau, Fengshan Branch, and urged the National Police Agency to review regulations for plainclothes duty and equipment.
A press release from the Control Yuan today noted that while officers were tracking a drug fugitive in Lingya District, the suspect fled by car. The officers then mistakenly identified Ms. Lin, who was present at the scene, as the suspect's spouse and conducted a forced investigation.
Control Member Yeh Ta-hua pointed out that the officers failed to report the high-risk operation to their supervisors or local police agencies as required. Despite being in plainclothes, they did not carry police weapons or micro-video cameras, claiming it was only a 'reconnaissance' mission, which exposed themselves to high risk. Furthermore, they attempted to make an arrest by hand in a crowded parking lot, causing the suspect to ram through a barrier to escape, a severe violation of safety regulations.
Yeh stated that although local precinct officers had already verified Ms. Lin's identity and confirmed she had no criminal record, the Zhongxiao Precinct officers insisted on taking her back to their station, citing 'professional hierarchy' and 'lead agency customs.'
During the process, the officers blocked Ms. Lin from contacting her family and even used abusive language, saying her 'brain was fried from drugs.' She was detained for over two hours without being allowed to notify relatives or lawyers, violating the principle of proportionality and legal procedures. Yeh emphasized that while plainclothes enforcement improves investigation efficiency, it makes it hard for citizens to identify law enforcement from potential criminals. Recent similar cases show a lack of human rights awareness among base-level officers and a need for better communication skills and equipment regulations.
A press release from the Control Yuan today noted that while officers were tracking a drug fugitive in Lingya District, the suspect fled by car. The officers then mistakenly identified Ms. Lin, who was present at the scene, as the suspect's spouse and conducted a forced investigation.
Control Member Yeh Ta-hua pointed out that the officers failed to report the high-risk operation to their supervisors or local police agencies as required. Despite being in plainclothes, they did not carry police weapons or micro-video cameras, claiming it was only a 'reconnaissance' mission, which exposed themselves to high risk. Furthermore, they attempted to make an arrest by hand in a crowded parking lot, causing the suspect to ram through a barrier to escape, a severe violation of safety regulations.
Yeh stated that although local precinct officers had already verified Ms. Lin's identity and confirmed she had no criminal record, the Zhongxiao Precinct officers insisted on taking her back to their station, citing 'professional hierarchy' and 'lead agency customs.'
During the process, the officers blocked Ms. Lin from contacting her family and even used abusive language, saying her 'brain was fried from drugs.' She was detained for over two hours without being allowed to notify relatives or lawyers, violating the principle of proportionality and legal procedures. Yeh emphasized that while plainclothes enforcement improves investigation efficiency, it makes it hard for citizens to identify law enforcement from potential criminals. Recent similar cases show a lack of human rights awareness among base-level officers and a need for better communication skills and equipment regulations.