Statement | No Remorse for Police Violence, Review Performance Evaluation System ASAP—Press Conference on the First-Instance Verdict of the Sanchong Police Assault Case

In September 2022, two police officers surnamed Weng and Chiang from the Yungfu Police Station of the Sanchong Precinct, New Taipei City Police Department, mistakenly identified a civilian surnamed Huang as a wanted fugitive during evening duty, subjected him to unlawful physical restraint, and inflicted severe injuries upon him in violation of the Police Powers and Duties Act. Rather than reflecting on their misconduct afterward, they even filed assault charges against the victim, Mr. Huang.

Today (June 25) at 4:00 PM, the New Taipei District Court delivered its verdict regarding the assault charges filed by officers Weng and Chiang, finding Mr. Huang not guilty. Supporting organizations are deeply gratified by this outcome; however, in light of the systemic dilemma of unlawful police abuse of power highlighted by this entire incident, we issue the following two-point statement:

1. Sanchong Police Engaged in Unlawful Abuse of Power, Yet Filed Counter-Charges Against the Victim

Footage from street surveillance cameras reviewed during successive court hearings, as well as video recordings captured by bystanders, clearly reveals that officers Weng and Chiang of the Sanchong Precinct failed to "wear uniforms" or "present relevant identification documents" to prove their status as law enforcement officers when questioning Mr. Huang, as required by Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Police Powers and Duties Act, nor did they afford Mr. Huang the opportunity to refuse in accordance with Paragraph 2 of the same Article.

When Mr. Huang stepped out of his home, Officer Weng immediately placed his hand on Mr. Huang's shoulder, hurled profanities at him, and forced him to the ground. Even after Mr. Huang had already been subdued, Officer Weng instructed his colleague to spray pepper spray directly into Mr. Huang's eyes multiple times. Throughout the process, Mr. Huang repeatedly cried out, "You have the wrong person" and "My ID is in my pocket," but the officers completely ignored him and failed to verify his identity.

Later, after other arriving officers informed them that Mr. Huang was not the fugitive the police were targeting in this operation, Officer Weng nevertheless insisted on handcuffing the bruised and battered Mr. Huang by his hands and feet, dragging him back to the police station, and subsequently filing assault charges against him.

2. Abuses of Power Occur Frequently; the National Police Agency, Ministry of the Interior Must Establish a Transparent Performance Evaluation System

In recent years, the Judicial Reform Foundation has continuously received complaints from citizens regarding police abuse of power and unlawful questioning. All indications suggest that the root of the problem may lie in illegal and unreasonable performance evaluation systems coupled with inadequate education and training.

The original purpose of establishing police institutions is to protect the people. As public authority agencies, they naturally have a duty to abide by the law and must not unlawfully execute public duties or disregard people's rights in pursuit of performance metrics. However, driven by illegal and unreasonable performance demands, police officers have carried out their duties unlawfully, repeatedly infringing upon citizens' dignity, physical safety, and legal rights. This clearly runs counter to the original purpose for which police institutions were established.

In the case of the Sanchong police beating Mr. Huang, the police committed unlawful acts first yet showed no remorse, instead filing assault charges against the victim. This highlights the officers' insufficient education and training as well as a complete lack of capacity for self-reflection, which supporting organizations deeply regret. Although Mr. Huang was acquitted thanks to the court's discerning judgment, the trauma and injuries he suffered cannot be undone, and the image of police officers upholding the law has been severely undermined.

Supporting organizations hereby call upon prosecutors to forgo an appeal, and urge the relevant authorities to promptly establish a "Police Performance Management Committee" to prevent rogue officers from executing their duties unlawfully in pursuit of performance metrics, thereby creating more victims of police violence.

Press Conference Time

Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 4:00 PM

Press Conference Location

Main Entrance of the New Taipei District Court (1st Floor, No. 145, Section 3, Chongyang Road, Sanchong District, New Taipei City)

Press Conference Attendees

Huang Lien-shun　　　(Party to this case)
Attorney Huang Hung-sheng　(Retained counsel for the party)
Attorney Shih Hung-cheng　(Convener of the Police-Prosecution Working Group, Judicial Reform Foundation)
Professor Hsu Wei-kuyun　(Associate Professor, Department of Financial and Economic Law, School of Law, Chung Yuan Christian University)
Deputy Secretary-General Wang Hsi　(Deputy Secretary-General, Taiwan Association for Human Rights)
Attorney Yang Chao-yuan　(Pro bono attorney for the JRF Police-Prosecution Working Group)

Press Contact

Legal Specialist Ch'en Kuan-chen 02-25231178#21 olivia@jrf.org.tw