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Police making progress, Su says

Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday called for the public to support the police force, which he said should represent and execute public power.

Su made the comment during an awards ceremony at the National Police Agency (NPA) for outstanding police officers on National Police Day.

Three months have passed since Su pledged to improve public order within six months, or else resign.

Yesterday he said that "excellent" progress had been made, thanks to the hardworking police force.

But Su did not elaborate and refused to comment when reporters asked him what he felt about public order in the light of ongoing political scandals.

Essential

Su said that since he became premier in January he has fully supported police budgets, policies and welfare because the police force were essential in assuring public safety.

The right of the police force to execute public power should be respected and police officers should be allowed to use weapons when necessary, he said.

According to a report released by the NPA this week, a total of 555,109 crimes took place last year, a 13.2 percent increase from 2001.

However, 62.45 percent of crimes were solved last year, 7.2 percent more than in 2001.

One of the main reasons for the increase in the number of crimes was the implementation of new laws such as those cracking down on drunk driving in 1999 and computer hacking in 2003.

The report said that other reasons for the rise in offenses were an increase in scams and cons and renewed attempts to crack down on drug trafficking.

Drugs

A total of 20,334 drug-related crimes were solved last year, the report said.

The main reason for the increase in the overall number of crimes successfully prosecuted last year was the introduction of the 165 hotline which allows the public to report scams, the report said.
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