Police prepare for massive gangster funeral: officer criticized for mobster-friendly Facebook post
Police in Tainan City are preparing to deploy more than 500 officers in what may be the largest deployment of police for a gang-boss’ funeral, but one officer today faced criticism for a post he made to Facebook that appeared a little too friendly toward the deceased.
Chen Jianwen, 51, was gunned down in an execution-style killing by a former junior associate February 23 in what Tainan Police Department Commissioner Fang Yeang-ning (方仰寧) said was a result of infighting among gang members for influence and territory.
More than 4,000 gang members, including those from multiple counties and cities are expected to converge on Tainan City to attend Chen’s funeral, Thursday, April 1.
Chen’s family originally arranged an indoor venue with more than 600 seats, but have now added an outdoor marquee due to the large crowds expected. Law enforcement officials have assigned 556 police to maintain law and order in the area, with 8 inspection points set up to stop and inspect vehicles and persons arriving for the funeral.
Today, March 28, a Tainan City police officer named Huang drew criticism after he made a comment on Facebook referring to “brother Chen” and “let’s make the funeral decent and honorable.”
Some citizens criticized Huang’s comments as showing that the police had a close relationship with a wanted criminal.
However, Director of the Sixth Branch of the Tainan City Police, Chen Jinwen says the comments have been taken out of context. Chen said that the deceased man’s family and friends had gathered at the funeral home where the body can be viewed. More and more people were coming to pay their last respects, and police have set up an inspection point at the entrance of the funeral home to check on people entering, and inspect vehicles.
Officer Huang had been on duty at the funeral home, and seeing the continuous influx of people at the scene, made the comments to encourage people to pay their respects peacefully, and then leave, to avoid any incidents or clashes occurring.
Saying that Huang’s comment showed a close relationship between a criminal police officer and a wanted criminal was taking the comments out of context, and constituted a misinterpretation, Chen said.
Cover picture: Police checkpoint at funeral home. Picture: Tainan City Police Department.
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