Kaohsiung Police Deserve Higher Hazard Pay, Lawmaker Urges

On Police Day, a legislator representing Kaohsiung has urged the central government to raise hazardous duty pay for the city's police officers, highlighting a significant disparity compared to their counterparts in Taipei. The legislator argues that Kaohsiung police receive a lower multiplier for heavy duty and danger pay, despite facing similar risks and workloads.

The call for parity comes amid ongoing concerns about the demanding and dangerous nature of police work. The legislator pointed to past incidents, such as a fatal attack on police officers in Tainan, as evidence of the risks faced by frontline law enforcement. The proposal seeks to adjust Kaohsiung's hazardous duty pay multiplier to match Taipei's 1.3 times rate, ensuring fair compensation for officers in the southern city.

In addition to hazardous duty pay, the legislator also pressed the executive branch to swiftly implement a recently passed law. This legislation increases the maximum retirement income replacement ratio for police and coast guard personnel to 80%, with retroactive application for already retired individuals. The legislator expressed disappointment that the executive branch has delayed implementation, citing ongoing constitutional interpretation processes.

The legislator stressed that substantive welfare and institutional guarantees are essential for boosting morale and demonstrating the government's support for frontline officers. The calls aim to address perceived inequities and provide better protection and recognition for the sacrifices made by police and coast guard personnel.