Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lo Shu-lei (羅淑蕾) yesterday accused the Aviation Police Office of abusing its authority by asking airlines to provide free plane tickets for “outstanding” airport police to travel abroad.
Lo said she received a tip-off from an airline staffer saying that the Friends of Aviation Police Association sent China Airlines, TransAsia Airways, Uni Air and Mandarin Airlines an official document asking the airlines to offer 64 tickets free of charge to sponsor trips abroad for distinguished airport police officers.
The staffer alleged that the association sent the document under pressure from the Aviation Police Office, Lo said.
“Government officials are not allowed to accept gifts unless the law allows them to. Which part of the law empowers the aviation police to demand [free plane] tickets?” Lo told a press conference at the legislature.
“Besides, airlines operating in the airport fall under the jurisdiction of the airport police. Is it appropriate for the officers to accept free tickets from airlines?” she said.
Lo said the office may be violating the Punishment of Corruption Act (貪污治罪條例) by accepting the tickets through the association.
Aviation Police Office chief Diao Chien-sheng (刁建生) said the office did not take the initiative in asking for the tickets and that he did not think the association’s request was illegal.
Diao said that the move was a “customary practice” initiated by airline executives who also serve as association officials.
Airlines have provided 64 plane tickets during off-seasons each year over the past 11 years, Diao said.
“Airlines usually have many vacant seats during off-seasons. By providing the tickets, they can help outstanding airport police officers tour and learn how aviation police at airports in other countries strengthen security checks,” Diao said.
Diao added that he would advise that the association to stop the practice immediately if Lo considers the move inappropriate.
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