Roadblocks and Police Inspections: What Should I Do?

Photo / From right: Attorney Chen Chuan-yueh (Chairman of the Taiwan Bar Association), Attorney Yu Po-hsiang (JRF), and Attorney Ma Tsai-chin (Police Reform Association).

The Police Power Exercise Act, passed by the Legislative Yuan in June 2003, officially took effect on December 1st. To raise public awareness about safeguarding personal rights under the new legal system, the Judicial Reform Foundation, the Taiwan Bar Association, and the Police Reform Association held a joint press conference on September 5th to instruct citizens on how to respond to police inspections and roadblocks.

For a long time, police officers often performed their duties in a dilemma of having "no laws to follow," which had adverse effects on both the police and the public. Now, following the implementation of the Police Power Exercise Act, although clearer legal regulations are in place, it remains questionable whether the 80,000-strong police force is fully prepared and whether the public understands their own rights. Taking roadblocks and police inspections—the situations citizens encounter most frequently—as an example, under this Act, police may only conduct roadblocks or inspections of citizens when there is reasonable suspicion or specific facts sufficient to warrant such action. Furthermore, during an inspection or roadblock, officers must wear uniforms, present identification, and proactively inform citizens of the grounds for the inspection. In addition, if citizens believe that a police inspection is unjustified, they may raise an objection on the spot or seek subsequent remedies.

To thoroughly understand whether the police are effectively implementing the Police Power Exercise Act, the JRF has established a complaint mailbox, welcoming citizens to report instances of unlawful inspections or roadblocks encountered after the Act took effect (December 1, 2003). After compiling the information provided by the public, the JRF will announce the statistical results to the public at an appropriate time and use them as a basis for demanding improvements from the National Police Agency under the Ministry of the Interior.

JRF "Improper Inspection and Roadblock Complaint Mailbox"
JRF Complaint Mailbox: twjrf@seed.net.tw
If email is inconvenient, written materials may be mailed to: 7F., No. 3, Lane 90, Sungkiang Rd., Taipei City