Officers’ Santa hats spark debate about ‘dignity’ of police’ A TOUCH OF WARMTH’: Officers wearing the hats while directing traffic at a Chrismas event was well received by the public, New Taipei police saidStaff writer, with CNAThe 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. 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. This year’s Christmasland events in Banciao District have already attracted about 5.8 million visitors since they opened on Nov. 11, Hou said.
