Military Police officer under probe over alleged abuse
By Fang Wei-li and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer
A senior officer with the Taipei Military Police unit responsible for guarding the Boai Special District (博愛特區) — home to key government institutions — has been removed pending an investigation into allegations of abuse and a cover-up of a major security incident, the Military Police Command confirmed yesterday.
MORALE BUSTER
Local media reports said Military Police Colonel Tsai Cheng-chien (蔡正建) was the subject of a joint complaint filed with the Presidential Office and the Ministry of National Defense, accusing him of repeatedly using profanity and insulting personnel during gatherings, undermining morale.
A military police patch is pictured in an undated photograph.
Photo: Taipei Times
The complaint also alleged that during the Han Kuang exercises in October last year and August this year, Tsai failed to report cases of personnel going absent without leave (AWOL) or nearly engaging in self-harm after being berated by him.
It added that a corporal who fell and sustained a bone fracture during a base test in May and a sergeant first class who sustained serious injuries after punching a piece of glass after being reprimanded by Tsai were not taken to hospital by ambulance.
The complaint claimed Tsai wanted to prevent the incidents from being recorded and reported to his superiors.
POOR LEADERSHIP?
The Military Police Command said the allegations pointed to possible mismanagement and poor leadership.
The armed forces would not tolerate mistreatment, concealment of reports or abuse of authority, it said, adding that medical assistance and psychological counseling had been arranged for affected personnel.
The case would be investigated swiftly and handled strictly, while ensuring that no one was wrongfully accused or spared, it said.
If misconduct is confirmed, those responsible would face administrative, criminal and disciplinary action, with no one shielded from accountability, it added.
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