Kaohsiung Officer Receives Major Demerit for Hitting Colleague After Allegedly Failing to Yield to Pedestrian

(CNA, Kaohsiung, May 21) Officers from the Sanmin First Precinct in Kaohsiung were on patrol this morning when they stopped a motorcyclist, surnamed Tsai, for allegedly failing to yield to a pedestrian. It was discovered that Tsai was an officer from the Gushan Precinct. Although his breathalyzer test result was 0, he injured an officer with his motorcycle while trying to resist and was sent for prosecution. The Gushan Precinct has since issued a major demerit.

At 8:55 AM, officers from the Kaohsiung City Police Department's Sanmin First Precinct, while on patrol on Shiquan 1st Road, noticed 58-year-old Tsai riding a heavy motorcycle, allegedly failing to yield to a pedestrian and driving erratically. During the check, officers noted Tsai had a flushed face, suspecting he might be riding under the influence. A breathalyzer test was administered according to law, which returned a value of 0. It was also found that Tsai is an officer with the Gushan Precinct and was off-duty at the time of the incident.

However, during the questioning, Tsai spat on the ground, which also constitutes a violation of the Waste Disposal Act. When officers asked Tsai to accompany them to the station for identity verification, he suddenly became emotional and attempted to flee on his motorcycle. In the process of stopping him, one officer sustained abrasions on his left knee and lower leg. Police subsequently subdued, restrained, and arrested Tsai on the spot. The case is being investigated by the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of obstructing official duties and causing injury.

The Gushan Precinct stated that due to Tsai's misconduct and involvement in a criminal case, which has severely damaged the police's reputation, an immediate performance review meeting was held. He was given a major demerit with severity and has been listed for re-education, counseling, and as a candidate for dismissal.

The Sanmin First Precinct added that Tsai's failure to yield to a pedestrian is a violation of Article 44, Paragraph 2 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act. This article pertains to drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks or other legal crossing points, carrying a fine between NT$1,200 and NT$6,000. The police have issued a ticket to enforce the law strictly. (Editor: Li Heng-shan)