Newly assigned Taichung Police Chief Frank Chiu (邱豐光) has vowed to make a difference for the city in terms of public order and crime rates.
“I shall do my best,” Chiu said.
The 1.85m-tall officer, who could very well be the nation’s tallest police chief, made the remarks after being informed that he had been made Taichung’s chief of police on June 3.
The new chief was nicknamed “Boss Chiu” (邱霸子) by his co-workers because of his leadership qualities and larger-than-life appearance.
Chiu, 55, graduated from the Central Police University’s Department of Criminal Investigation in 1978. He has served in different positions in law enforcement ever since. He also possesses a master’s degree in criminology from National Taipei University.
In addition to his expertise in criminal investigation, Chiu’s background has also earned him many promotions. He has been a favorite with both Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politicians.
Chiu’s uncle is Chiu Lien-hui (邱連輝), a DPP heavyweight and former Pingtung County councilor and legislator, while Legislator Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) is also one of his relatives. His close connections with the DPP made him one of former president Chen Shui-bian’s (陳水扁) favorite officers, with Chen at one point planning to promote him from deputy captain at Taipei City’s Criminal Investigation Corps (CIC) to either the captain of the force or one of the captains of the Special Police Forces.
Frank Chiu was also former National Police Agency (NPA) director-general Hou You-yi’s (侯友宜) long-time deputy and always assumed Hou’s previous position whenever Hou was promoted.
The new Taichung police chief entered the spotlight in November 1997, when he arrested and escorted Chen Chin-hsing (陳進興), one of the chief perpetrators of the kidnapping of entertainer Pai Bing-bing’s (白冰冰) daughter Pai Hsiao-yen (白曉燕), out of South African military attache Alexander McGill’s residence in Beitou (北投), Taipei City, after a 25-hour hostage crisis.
He declined special promotions several times, choosing instead to follow a regular and routine promotional system within the police force.
His low profile and hard work were also noticed by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who succeeded Chen as Taipei mayor in 1998. Frank Chiu’s efforts as captain at the CIC were noted and commended by Ma when he was mayor.
WIFE
Frank Chiu’s wife, Chang Fang-chen (張芳珍), was his classmate at the academy and is also a senior officer at Taipei City Police Department’s Wenshan Second Precinct (文山二分局).
“He is a man of ambition, but he chooses to attain his goals using regular routes,” a senior Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) officer who has worked with Frank Chiu for more than a decade said on condition of anonymity. “I am not surprised he was promoted.”
The officer described Frank Chiu as “a big man with a girl’s heart,” someone who acts and moves like a brave man with a detailed plan that comes from careful consideration.
“He always knows what he is doing and always does things right and well,” he said. “I am quite confident he can do something for Taichung.”
During Frank Chiu’s 32 years of service in the force, his first job with administrative responsibilities was head of Taipei City Police Department, Wanhua Precinct’s (萬華分局) Investigation Section. He was also assigned and promoted to head the CIB’s Sixth Division, was a deputy captain and captain at Taipei City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Corps, a CIB spokesman, Hsinchu City police chief and CIB deputy commissioner.
NPA Director-General Wang Cho-chiun (王卓鈞) said Frank Chiu’s promotion was his idea, a decision that was endorsed by Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強).
“[Frank] Chiu’s promotion has nothing to do with politics,” Wang said. “I am expecting him to take advantage of his expertise in criminology to fix the city’s major [crime] problem.”
MOST QUALIFIED
Former Taichung Police chief Hu Mu-yuan (胡木源), who is now head of the Special Police Force’s Third Headquarters, said being Taichung police chief was not an easy job, but that Frank Chiu was the most qualified candidate.
“I wish him luck,” Hu said.
Frank Chiu said his only response would be to work harder.
“Hu is an old friend and an old partner in the force. I will continue and finish what he started,” he said.
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