Prosecutors in Kaohsiung are investigating a case in which a student at the Taiwan Police College is suspected of violating the child and youth welfare act — negative news for both the individual concerned and the image of the police.

• A police college student surnamed Lai is suspected of holding video chats with an underage girl online and exchanging intimate photographs with her.
• The girl's parents reported the matter to police after learning of it, and prosecutors and police brought him in for questioning under a warrant issued by the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office.
• At the time of the incident he was serving a summer internship at a police station under the Zhongzheng Second Precinct in Taipei City.
• Prosecutors determined that he was suspected of violating the Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act and ordered his release on bail of NT$50,000.

What comes next: the relevant evidence remains to be further investigated and clarified, and the police may also initiate internal disciplinary proceedings.