The 50-year-old suspect, surnamed Tai, was sentenced to one year and one month in prison for taking pictures at a secret military installation in 2004, but later escaped while he was out on bail.

A policeman patrolling by motorcycle in the Dazhi area arrested him late on Monday and called in assistance. Officer Lai Chih-yen drove out alone and ordered Tai to sit in the back seat of his car but without first searching or handcuffing him.

As they were about to leave the car at the Dazhi police station, the suspect pulled out a fruit knife and stabbed the officer ten times in the back and neck, reports said.

Five officers rushed to overpower Tai and to call an ambulance. Lai was bleeding heavily and was pronounced dead early Tuesday at the Mackay Memorial Hospital. Tai refused to cooperate with police and was handed over to prosecutors for questioning.

Police should have had at least two officers accompanying the suspect, who should have been searched first and handcuffed in the car, investigators said. The officer in charge of the Dazhi police station, Lu Ching-an, received two small demerits and was demoted.

Taipei Police Chief Hsieh Hsiu-neng requested disciplinary action against himself from Mayor Hau Lung-bin, while Chungshan District police chief Wang Ching-ling received one small demerit and the officer who first arrested Tai one major demerit.

The murdered police officer clearly did not follow the rules set out by basic police training, Wang said, adding there should at least be two officers present for the transfer of a suspect.

Lai worked as a vehicle repair man in Chiayi before passing the police exam last January and beginning work in Dazhi last August.

Interior Minister Chiang Yi-huah called for a strengthening of training for new police officers. If police had followed the rules, Lai would not have died, the minister said. He emphasized the importance of practical training over examination results.