(photo by Jimmy Lin)

In April 2005, two Hsichih police of-ficers patrolling their jurisdiction were attacked and had their guns stolen by two knife-wielding assailants, in a tragedy that took the life of one officer and severely injured the other.

In March 2005, an officer from Chupei Police Station in Hsinchu County was killed during a raid to arrest suspected drug traffickers. The suspects subsequently set off a gas explosion that injured another eight officers and firemen.

In August 2004, as Typhoon Aere was battering Taiwan with winds and rain, three police officers in Hsinchu County's Tuchang Village remained at their posts, going door to door directing residents to evacuate. Soon afterwards there was an enormous boom as a landslide occurred, killing all three.

Taiwan's over 80,000 police officers have been guardians of public safety. Suffering innumerable ordeals in the course of their duties, what they need most is the public's concern and encouragement.

It's eight in the morning and many people are rushing to work. Panchiao City police officer Chi Tse-min has already been on patrol for some time. He arrives at an old traditional market, teeming with people and vehicles. Thefts by pickpockets, and street vendors illegally occupying space on roads, are common occurrences. Just as he reaches the entrance, Chi hears shouts in the distance, where a cluster of people has gathered. He rushes over to find out what's happening. As it turns out, vendors trying to claim space for selling their wares have gotten into a dispute. The two parties' recriminations are increasingly vociferous, and the atmosphere is tense.

Chi first requests that the market's administrative committee make a judgment, as there are clear regulations governing the rental of vendor spaces within the market. But vendors are accustomed to encroaching on a space before its legitimate tenant has arrived. Chi urges calm: "Keeping things peaceful is good for business. Don't scare your customers away." With Chi's intervention, the two vendors end their standoff and the market returns to its usual more peaceable bustle.

Such a seemingly trivial matter, though it seems hardly worthy of mention, may lead to a bloody incident if not handled in a timely manner. With many years of experience as a policeman, Chi takes no chances.