Taipei - A lack of handcuffs which resulted in the stabbing to death of a Taipei police officer has thrust the force's dire equipment shortages into the spotlight.

Police officer Lai Chih-yen, 27, was driving a mentally-disturbed man to the police station when the man pulled out a fruit knife and stabbed Lai 21 times.

Public criticism focused on Lai's alleged negligence until reporters pointed out that police stations lack basic equipment, including ankle chains, clubs, and raincoats, essential given Taiwan's moist climate.

A Taipei city government investigation revealed that of 4,000 policemen assigned to patrols, only 741 pairs of handcuffs were available.

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-pin promised Friday to provide police stations with enough handcuffs after learning that many policemen buy cheap, sometimes malfunctioning handcuffs with their own money.

"If the police have a tight budget, we will use the city government's budget to buy enough handcuffs for the police stations," he said.

According to the Liberty Times daily, Taiwanese police academies used to issue each graduate a pair of handcuffs and a club, but stopped this after 1986 due to budget cuts. (dpa)