Prosecutors said that Lee Shih-hsuan (李世璿), Tu Chien-hua (涂建華), and Chuang Wen-tsung (莊文宗) of the Chungshan police precinct had arrested Mao on suspicion of engaging in sexual acts with her client at a motel.
The three attempted to extort NT$200,000 from Mao's manager but then reduced the amount to NT$100,000 when they found that her manager was Lin.
The three were later suspended along with Lin. Their supervisors also received disciplinary measures ranging from reprimands to demerits.
Academics say that improving the education of police may be the best way to solve the problem of police corruption.
Police education
"There's always room for improvement in the education system, which is the building block of morality and self-discipline," said Frank Huang (黃富源), a criminology professor and dean of student affairs at Central Police University.
Huang said moral education at the police academy concentrated on one-way indoctrination in the past, but contemporary moral education focuses on discussion of situations.
"We've introduced a series of morality-development courses where different possible dilemmas are offered in class to let students engage in discussion," he said.
For example, you owe your life to one of your co-workers when shots are fired at you and he takes the bullets for you and survives. What would you do if you found out that the person who has saved your life is involved in a corruption scandal?
"We believe that those who have the highest moral standards exercise the best self discipline," he said. "We hope the moral education given here will change the mind and soul of a person."
Education about justice is also important for the curriculum, he said.
"Only those who respect others understand the importance of justice and human rights," he said.
In addition, the school encourages students to participate in cultural and artistic activities and to develop the habit of constant exercise.
"We believe that those who value quality of life and who enjoy exercising are healthy in their mind and body," he said.
Moral education, however, does not stop when a student graduates from school.
"On-the-job training and in-service education are equally important. Because, after all, a complicated working environment is the source of deadly temptations," he said.
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