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SINGAPORE: The number of abuse cases against security officers and distancing ambassadors has increased since heightened measures were implemented, with multiple abuse cases reported to the police in recent days, authorities said on Friday (April 17).
As of Thursday, the police received 12 reports from members of the public who physically or verbally abused law enforcement officers and ambassadors while carrying out their duties, the Singapore Police and the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources said in a joint statement.
“We will not tolerate this, and we will bring criminals to task,” authorities said.
One of these cases involved a 40-year-old man, who struck a police officer in the head after he was told to stop playing basketball in a cordoned-off multipurpose hall in Khatib.
In another case on Wednesday along Havelock Road, a 79-year-old man hit a police officer who told him to wear his face mask correctly.
Also Wednesday, a 72-year-old man slapped a police officer who asked for his details after seeing the man eating food at a street vendor center along Circuit Road.
A man was seen consuming food in the cooked food section of the street vendor center at Block 89 Circuit Road on April 15, 2020 /. (Photo: National Environment Agency)
READ: Action taken against those who violated the rules of safe distancing in markets, street vendor centers; compliance officer hit by a man: NEA
Other cases involved verbal abuse against officers.
On Thursday, a 37-year-old man insulted a police officer who had fined his friend for not wearing a face mask outside The Cathay Mall.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a 35-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman “threw vulgarities” at three ambassadors away who had told her not to sit in a crossed-out seat at a hawker center along Toa Payoh Lorong 5)
Police investigations are ongoing.
Anyone found guilty of using abusive language against a public servant could be jailed for up to 12 months, fined up to $ 5,000, or both.
Anyone who voluntarily causes harm to dissuade a public servant from fulfilling his duty could be imprisoned for up to seven years, fined or fined.
Those who use criminal force to dissuade a public servant from fulfilling his duty could be imprisoned for up to four years, fined, or both.
“Police want to remind members of the public that it is a crime not to provide their personal information and home address when required by a compliance officer,” the statement added.
Authorities also advised members of the public to take official identification with them when they leave the house.
Since safe distancing measures began on April 7, as part of a “circuit breaker” to curb the spread of COVID-19, around 3,000 compliance officers and ambassadors have been deployed daily in public places and on Board property. Housing and Development Agency in Singapore, authorities said.
Under the strictest precautions, non-essential workplaces and schools have been closed across the island and strict physical distance measures have been implemented.
It is also mandatory to wear a mask when leaving the house, with some exceptions.
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