On October 3 2026, the Taipei City Police Department’s Wanhua District Fraction conducted a major raid on Commander D, a well-known LGBTQ+ and BDSM-themed bar located near Ximending.
The raid began around 4:30 PM and resulted in more than 50 people being detained and questioned. The bar’s 44-year-old manager was arrested and transferred to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of “offenses against public morals” (容留妨害風化).
The operation has sparked intense public controversy and backlash due to allegations of law enforcement misconduct:
Key Controversies & Allegations
Search Warrant Dispute: Patrons and staff claimed that arriving officers initially refused to present a physical search warrant upon request. Observers noted that while the warrant targeted the bar’s owner, police still detained and processed dozens of customers.
Allegations of Verbal Discrimination: Witnesses accused officers of making highly derogatory remarks toward a patron with a physical disability, reportedly saying, “Can disabled people have sex too?”.
Excessive Force Claims: Witnesses reported that police forced the bar manager to kneel before handcuffing him. Additionally, officers allegedly confiscated phones or blocked patrons attempting to record the raid. When challenged on their conduct, officers reportedly told patrons to “go ahead and sue us if you’re unhappy”.
Official Response & Findings
Police Statement: The Wanhua District Police stated that the raid was legally authorized by a warrant issued by the Taipei District Court following multiple community complaints regarding public indecency.
Denial of Misconduct: Authorities strongly denied using discriminatory language against individuals with disabilities, insisting that officers acted fully within legal boundaries.
Evidence Collected: Investigators reported finding several individuals engaging in sexual acts within the bar’s restrooms alongside exposed patrons and used condoms. Because the establishment charges an admission fee, the operator faces criminal charges for facilitating acts that offend public morals.
The incident follows a local government inquiry initiated in September 2026, when city council members raised concerns over alleged adult performances and privacy restrictions inside the venue, prompting Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an to order an official investigation.
Isn’t the bar a private venue with paid admission. Unless the acts were illegal like prostitution, then the public morals do not apply as it was not in public.
Otherwise police can raid anyone’s bedroom.
essentially, “intentionally engaging in an obscene act publicly for people to observe.”
If prosecutors establish that it is a commercial establishment deliberately admitting customers to watch or participate in sexual activity, they could argue that the activity is sufficiently “public” even though it occurs indoors and behind a door.
Also the complaints were saying that minors were allowed in (but this is an allegation with zero proof).
Am I not getting something or any club goer can attest to this happens to any club and bar in Taipei.
I remember being a part of that scene when an officer was beaten outside a night club. They came every night and we all had to stop everyone to “flex” their power as the police to retaliate against the clubs.
The club owners had to get together and go fix this with the police behind the scene. They did a lot to show face to the police and such.
Was there anything particularly different to what has always been happening?
In an earlier statement issued Saturday night, however, the precinct had said that all officers involved in the raid had acted in accordance with the law and denied that they had made humiliating remarks toward people with disabilities.
Translated: We investigated ourselves and found nothing wrong.
I still cant see how this is any different than any other raid that happens.
At most there was humiliating remarks as heresy?
Did they have a warrant or not? It seems they did indeed arrest someone for what the warrant is for. If that’s the case. It seems open and shut as just another raid.
Maybe LGBTQ bars aren’t used to it? Well here’s some equality for everyone
The Focus Taiwan report linked above says otherwise:
Regarding allegations that officers made inappropriate remarks or behaved improperly toward people with disabilities, the precinct said surveillance footage had confirmed the conduct and that the officers involved were undergoing administrative disciplinary procedures.
The article mentioned groups saying police brutality. Obviously we want our police to conduct themselves professionally and anything less should face disciplinary actions as they did. But making derogatory remarks does not seem to me as police brutality. I think we should be clear on what is police brutality
The warrant seems to be unchallenged as legit and an arrest was made within the scope of the warrant as it seems.
They’ve been targeted because they’re gay and different. It’s not right. My bar down in Kending got targeted because I’m different. The unfairness pisses me off, but such is life.
Where does it say that? I haven’t found anything beyond a legal warrant was issued and it seems that wasn’t challenged. Nor is the arrests being challenged to my knowledge.
I’ve asked a few times. But I’ve yet to be presented beyond some police officers were caught being unprofessional and were disciplined.
Is it because some feel this is targeting the club?
I guarantee you if a non gay club and bar had this happening and people exposing themselves and used condoms around. The police would raid it too. Just because you’re a LGBTQ bar doesn’t give you a pass.
Anyone in the business understands you don’t want to have these kinds of reputations around as there are always conflict between the police and night life. Don’t give them a reason to bother you can they usually don’t.
