Introduction

Keelung port is the main international seaport for northern Taiwan. The location of the port makes it vital to the servicing of Taiwan’s military, commercial and fishery interests. The Keelung harbor police shoulder the duty of maintaining the peace and safety of the port area to create a favourable environment for developing international maritime trade business. The harbor police take charge of law enforcement and immigration control.

A general description of the area under jurisdiction

A brief description of the Ports

The Port of Keelung：

Located near the northern tip of Taiwan, the international port is a deep natural harbor protected by mountains on three sides. The east part of the port adjoin Jhong Jheng Road, Keelung City, while the west stretches out to Jhong Shan Road; the northern portion connects with He-Ping Island and the port ends to the south at Jhong 1st Road. The Port of Keelung encompasses approximately 3.84 square kilometers of water area and 2.43 square kilometers of land. The 2,000 meters long channel faces the northwest with the width of 400 meters. The main channel separates the port between the East and West wharves. The port has 57 wharves, totalling over 9,000 meters in length.

The Port of Suao：

Located in the northeast Taiwan inside Suao Bay is an auxiliary port facing the Pacific Ocean. Mountains on three sides protect this superior natural harbor. The Port of Keelung lies about 50 nautical miles to the north. The Port of Suao encompasses 2.55 square kilometers of water area and 0.84 square kilometers of land. The whole harbor encompasses 13 wharves with a total 2,600 meters in length.

The Port of Taipei（Danshuei）：

Located northwest of the Bali township and south of the Danshuei River, the auxiliary port faces west onto the Taiwan Straits from the foot of Guanyin Mountain. The north part of the port connects with the Bali Sewage Treatment Plant, south it stretches out to the Ruei Shu Keng Stream. The whole harbor area covers 1.5 square kilometers with the planed wharves of totalling 890 meters in length. Construction of phase I in the overall plan began in January 1993 and two wharves were completed. The construction of phase II started in July 1996 and is scheduled for completion in the year 2011.

Features of the Ports

The Port of Keelung is a multi-function port. It simultaneously provides for military, commercial and fishing purposes. When typhoons threaten the area, many local, Hong Kong, and mainland China fishing boats seek shelter in the harbor from the rough seas, they are occasionally joined by other foreign boats also seeking protection from the storm. There may be 300-400 fishing boats in the outer harbor at any one time and that can be a problem for channel safety.

Approximately 7,000 to 8,000 personnel pass in and out the port areas each day. Those authorized to enter the areas are crew, passengers, shipping agents, cargo handlers, container transporters and other relevant personnel. Security measures are adopted at almost every exit to assure the peace and order of the port.

The east breakwater area of Keelung Port has excellent fishing sites and certainly attracts lots of anglers, especially during the period of the Northeast monsoon. During this chill and windy season monstrous waves hit the rocks, at times without warning, and can be extremely dangerous to anglers. The harbor police assigns frequent patrols to clear this area in order to avoid deadly accidents.

To beautify the port and to bring it closer to the citizens, the harbor authority has replaced part of the wall enclosing the east wharves (from East wharf 2 to 9)with short green plants. A 24-hours infrared security system has been set up to combat smuggling activities and to keep peace and order in the area.

The Port of Suao is separated into three different areas to satisfy commercial, military and fishing needs and share the single channel. Keelung Harbor Police, Yilan County Police and the Navy take charge of the security inspection of various vessels and personnel with the exception of the shipping and navigation management.

Since the outer breakwater of the Port of Taipei has not been completed yet, vessels will not easily berth inside the port if there is a fierce wind during the Northeast monsoon season.

Work projects administration

Streamlined processing for greater convenience to the public

As a customer oriented function, a 24-hour service counter has been set up to process applications for personnel and vehicle port passes, boarding passes, repatriation of foreign seamen and other immigration services and complaints. Our Web Site provides comprehensive information of application procedures, relevant laws and regulations and downloadable forms. Depending on the case, applicants are not necessarily required to pick up the documents in person.

If, a shipping corporation requests, and the case is approved by the NPA, we do the last port immigration clearance to shorten the landing process for passengers of giant ocean liners.

Improve police discipline

In accordance with the policy of the National Police Agency, all superior police personnel and chiefs must have firm self-discipline to lead their teams. To improve credibility of the Office, disciplinary actions are strictly implemented regarding to those found breaking the law.

Conducting raids upon arms and drugs smugglers

In order to crack down on arms and drugs smuggling into Taiwan, via the Port area, we have organized a special task force in CIS to conduct raids for illegal arms and drugs. We have also created an intelligence network to ensure that all officers are on the lookout for these sorts of activities. The maximum penalty for arms and drugs smuggling is the death sentence in this country. And we let people know that important information via the Notice for Aliens.

Overseeing the field operation

Supervision in the field is planned and conducted by a supervisory team consisting of the Director, Deputy Director, General Inspector, Chiefs, inspectors, and other superior staff officers. These supervisors meet the officers on duty in person especially during night shift hours. The short conversations with officers not only keep the operation running smoothly but also allow the supervisors to fully understand what is really going on in the field.

Raising the morale of the staffs

Activities are organized for all personnel to improve their physical and mental health. Activities include hill climbing, ball games, chess playing, tug of war, swimming and jogging. We believe that leisure activities promote individual work performance and the morale of the staff.

Customer-oriented service

We have improved public accessibility for disabled people by constructing a handicapped friendly environment. Another customer service now includes the on-line immigration computer system between our Office and the Immigration Office has been linked up to speed the passage of passengers through the Port of Keelung.

Future Prospects

1. The most important task now is to maintain police credibility by showing strong discipline. All police personnel are required to abide by the law and obey the NPA policy of self-discipline. Any one who fails to do so, in accordance with the law, will incur an administrative disciplinary action or even a dismissal from the Harbor Police.

2. To prevent smuggling and criminal activities in the port area, we must enhance the professionalism of officers. Close scrutiny at checkpoints and frequent, specific region patrols should deter smugglers and stowaways. Immigration control may need more advanced technology as well as greater care to ensure the safety of the coastal frontier.

3. Cooperation between the Harbor Police and other relevant authorities should be strengthened to improve intelligence exchanges and cooperation on criminal investigations. We have to make more effort to maintain the peace and order of the international ports.

4. Due to the global free market, multinational crimes severely threaten the safety of any international port. Cooperation with foreign police organizations should be strengthened to aid in the solving of multinational crime. Active participation in international police organizations should be our next goal so we may fight more efficiently against international terrorism and criminal organizations.

Conclusions

Due to the rapid expansion of marine business, we are working to improve our prevention of smuggling, stowaways and criminal activities. The field units must strictly enforce various inspection and criminal detection procedures. Though individual freedom and efficient administration is the public trend, any suspicious person, article and/or vessel deserves our attention at all times. Only professionalism can allow us to find a balance between efficiency and national security.