The New Taipei City Police Department yesterday defended its decision to ask some officers at a “Christmasland” event in New Taipei City at the weekend to wear Santa hats, after receiving online criticism that said the costumes harmed the “dignity of the police.”
In a post in the “Kaobei Police” Facebook group on Saturday, a user shared a photo of police officers wearing Santa hats directing traffic at the Superstar Christmas Concert in Banciao District (板橋) earlier that evening.
After questioning whether officers could be ordered to wear such hats under the Police Uniforms Act (警察制服條例), the user said they had a “complete aversion” to such costumes, adding that “we are police officers, not clowns.”
Photo courtesy of the New Taipei City Government
In comments and subsequent posts, some users backed the sentiment, saying that the gimmick harmed “the dignity of the police” and treated them as if they were “backup performers” in the Christmasland concert.
Some people dismissed the notion that festive headwear could harm the dignity of a profession, while others said that the Santa hats were a big hit with concertgoers, many of whom asked to take photos with the officers.
Responding yesterday, the New Taipei City Police Department defended the move, saying it increased the officers’ visibility and was well received by the public.
Of about 570 officers deployed to maintain security at the two-night event, only 100 officers — all reassigned from desk jobs and helping to direct traffic — were asked to wear the Santa hats, the department said.
New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) — a former head of the National Police Agency — also brushed off the criticism, saying the hats helped the officers blend into their surroundings and added “a touch of warmth” as they went about their duties.
This year’s Christmasland events in Banciao District have already attracted about 5.8 million visitors since they opened on Nov. 11, Hou said.
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