Taichung officials yesterday demoted a firefighter squad captain over allegations he sexually assaulted a female firefighter under his command after a late-night dinner and drinking session over the weekend.
Following questioning by prosecutors over the weekend, the captain, whose identity has been withheld, was released after posting bail of NT$500,000.
Senior Taichung Fire Bureau officials yesterday held a meeting and issued the captain a major demerit, demoting him to junior firefighter.
A number of firefighters said that the alleged incident has brought shame to their profession, while others complained that some senior leaders behave in a disreputable fashion.
Taichung Fire Bureau Director Hsiao Huan-chang (蕭煥章) said he would ensure a thorough investigation is conducted, and that, if found guilty, the former captain would be fired.
The alleged incident occurred on Saturday, when the man, a 20-year veteran in his 40s, gathered his squad for a late-night meal inside their fire station, at which they also consumed alcohol.
Nearly all members of the squad were reportedly inebriated by the end of the evening. The man then unlocked the female firefighters’ dormitory and allegedly raped his female subordinate, who said she resisted and shouted for help.At about 4am on Sunday, she ran downstairs and rang the station’s alarm, waking and calling all firefighters in the station to assemble, as the bell normally signals notification of a fire.
One firefighter said that instead of being called to put out a fire, he and other firefighters found the female firefighter sobbing.
Together with another female firefighter, they accompanied the woman to a hospital, where she was examined and evidence was gathered. From there, she was taken to the local police station to file a report of the alleged assault.
The firefighters might have violated restrictions in the Police Personnel Management Act (警察人員人事條例) against the consumption of alcohol when on call, Taichung City Government officials said.
As firefighters are managed as a special branch of the police, the legislation applies to them as well.
The woman was reported to have taken sick leave and returned home to convalesce.
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