Taipei: A police officer repeatedly pepper-sprayed a Friday campaign event by Taiwan People's Party (TPP) founder Ko Wen-je and the party's Taichung City councilor candidate Liu Tsen-yu due to faulty equipment and poor judgment, authorities said Monday.

According to Focus Taiwan, Wu Ching-tien, commissioner of the Taichung Police Department, stated that Ko and Liu, along with TPP workers and supporters, were impacted by the officer's leaking pepper spray at Fengchia Night Market. However, he clarified it was not a deliberate attack.

Wu revealed that Chou Chun-ming, deputy head of Taichung's Sixth Precinct, was held accountable for the incident. Chou reportedly failed to immediately withdraw and manage the situation properly after discovering the malfunction in his pepper spray equipment.

While Chou did deploy the pepper spray at four different locations within the night market, Wu stressed that it was not directed at any individuals but was discharged toward the ground instead.

Chi Yen-hsi, head of the Criminal Investigation Corps, mentioned that after reviewing 385 CCTV recordings and questioning witnesses, the department ruled out any possibility of an attempted violent attack.

Commissioner Wu added that Liu reported the incident on Saturday morning. Chou admitted his error only after 10 p.m. the same day, following media reports on the matter. Consequently, Chou received two demerits and was removed from his position.

Liu has filed a criminal complaint for assault, and the case has been referred to the Taichung District Prosecutors Office. Wu assured that the department would strive to ensure the smooth conduct of campaign events leading up to the local elections in late November.