Kaohsiung Police Swap Precinct Chiefs to Bolster Election Integrity and Traffic Safety

The Kaohsiung City Police Department is implementing a strategic reassignment of its Yancheng and Hunei precinct chiefs. This move is designed to bolster efforts in combating vote-buying ahead of the year-end elections and to enhance traffic management within the city. The department intends to utilize the specialized skills of both officers to address pressing local concerns.

Division Chief Li Ming-da, known for his criminal investigation expertise, will transfer from the Hunei precinct to Yancheng. His background is deemed crucial for addressing potential election irregularities and maintaining public order during the upcoming electoral period. Meanwhile, Division Chief Kao Te-chang, who possesses strong expertise in technology management, will move to the Hunei precinct. This reassignment is expected to improve the precinct's operational efficiency and technological integration.

The decision follows Mayor Chen Chi-mai's concerns regarding traffic safety, particularly after three fatal accidents resulting in four deaths occurred in the Hunei precinct's jurisdiction within the past month. While acknowledging that some accidents involved self-collisions, the mayor urged the police department to implement measures to protect citizens' lives and property. However, some frontline officers feel that placing the sole responsibility for traffic accidents on precinct chiefs and police is overly burdensome, suggesting that overall traffic planning and execution require broader city government involvement.

Beyond traffic safety, the police department aims to optimize the deployment of its leadership. Li Ming-da's criminal investigation skills are particularly valued for managing election-related violence and ensuring security in urban areas. Kao Te-chang's technological proficiency is expected to benefit the Hunei precinct's administrative and operational functions. The personnel changes are scheduled to officially take effect on July 9.