Corrections agencies' response mechanism for major security incidents can be improved via responsibility delineation, adjustment of standard operation procedures, personnel training and the use of technology, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said today.
Mao said every relevant ministry should take care of its own responsibilities, which should be delineated clearly. Apart from precise response procedures, the level of the negotiator and the methods of negotiation should be flexibly adjusted depending on the incident's scale. In addition, prosecution and police should train reserve personnel regularly, locally, and divided by work responsibilities. Moreover, technological systems should be used to control information that may impair security.
The premier instructed the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to complete amendment of the response mechanism and standard operation procedures in three to six months and to pick proper sites for drills with the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and local governments.
The premier cited the Kaohsiung Prison riot as an example of the need for improvement. On February 11, 2015, six prisoners in Kaohsiung Prison seized weapons and took the warden hostage as they demanded to be set free. On the morning of February 12, after their breakout attempts had been stymied, the prisoners were shot to death in a suspected mass suicide.
Premier Mao recognized and affirmed the staff of the National Police Agency and Kaohsiung City Police Department for their assistance on handling the incident and preventing it from growing in scale.
The premier made these remarks after listening to the MOJ's report on the response mechanism at today's Executive Yuan public security meeting, the second of the year.
During this meeting, the premier also listened to the Customs Administration's report on the results and promotion of the use of sniffer dogs for customs inspection. From 2011 to this February, the sniffer dogs helped crack 104 cases, assisting in the seizure of nearly three metric tons of narcotics. Premier Mao recognized their achievement and instructed the Customs Administration to strengthen cooperation with law enforcement agencies such as prosecution and police.
The Tainan City Government reported on its use of DNA technology to improve public security maintenance and services. Mao affirmed the Tainan City Police Department's establishment of a regional DNA laboratory and use of forensic technology, which have helped improve criminal investigation and raise the rate of cases cracked. Tainan has shared its resources with other counties and cities to assist in solving their criminal cases, and it is expected to interact more with other public security agencies.
The MOI stated that since the last public security meeting, police agencies have exhibited concrete and encouraging progress in investigating and preventing violence, theft, drug and firearm possession, gang activity and drunk driving. The ministry particularly commended these agencies for successfully maintaining public security and keeping traffic smooth during the Lunar New Year holiday in February. Premier Mao encouraged them to keep up the good work.