TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A police chief in Taichung was removed from his post and referred for legal action after pepper spray he tested drifted into a campaign event involving TPP founder Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) at a night market.
Police said Chou Chun-ming (周俊銘), chief of Taichung’s Sixth Precinct, tested a damaged pepper spray canister by discharging it toward the ground while on duty, and the spray dispersed due to wind, per CNA. He was given a demerit, reassigned, and referred for legal action over an injury complaint.
Ko had accompanied TPP Taichung City Council candidate Liu Chin-yu (劉芩妤) to campaign at Feng Chia Night Market when an unidentified person was initially suspected of releasing pepper spray at close range. Liu later filed an injury complaint with police, prompting a special task force investigation led by Taichung prosecutors.
Taichung police said investigators reviewed body camera footage, surveillance video from nearby intersections, and private security recordings along the campaign route. Officers also interviewed witnesses and vendors to clarify the details of the case.
Police said they ruled out the initial report that two people on a motorcycle were involved, according to CNA. Investigators instead found Chou had discharged pepper spray toward the ground during operations, and although it was not aimed at Ko or bystanders, the drifting spray caused discomfort to campaign staff and members of the public.
Police concluded Chou committed serious negligence by choosing to discharge a damaged pepper spray canister at the scene rather than having an officer remove it from the area for handling elsewhere.
