Four men and one woman, aged between 33 and 58 will be charged in court on 13 August 2021 for five separate cases of using abusive language and criminal force towards public servants.
The brief details of the cases are as follows:
- On 24 January 2021, a Safe Distancing Ambassador attached to the National Environment Agency (NEA) was performing her duties at Blk 341 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 when she came across a 39-year-old male stall operator who was not wearing a mask. The Safe Distancing Ambassador sought assistance from a Town Council staff to advise the man to put on his mask. Upon wearing his mask, the stall operator allegedly scolded vulgarities at the Safe Distancing Ambassador during their subsequent engagement. The 39-year-old man will be charged with one count of using abusive words to the Safe Distancing Ambassador on 24 January 2021 punishable under Section 3(2) of the Protection from Harassment Act. As the man was previously administered with a 12-month conditional warning on 14 August 2020 for an offence of using abusive words to a public servant punishable under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act for hurling abusive language at a Certis officer, who was enforcing safe distancing measures, in an incident on 21 May 2020, he will also be charged with one count of using abusive words to a public servant on 21 May 2020 punishable under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act for breaching the 12-month conditional warning issued to him on 14 August 2020. The conditional warning requires the man to not commit any offence for a period of 12 months and the man had breached the condition with his act on 24 January 2021.
- On 25 January 2021, an enforcement officer attached to the National Environment Agency (NEA) was performing his duties at the vicinity of Bedok North Road when he came across a 40-year-old man smoking at the void deck of Block 107 Bedok North Road. During the engagement, the man turned aggressive and allegedly slapped the enforcement officer on his face while making threatening remarks at the enforcement officer. The man was also allegedly not wearing his mask when conversing with the enforcement officer. The man will be charged with one count of using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty punishable under Section 353 of the Penal Code, one count of using threatening words to a public servant punishable under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act and one count of breach of regulation 3A of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 punishable under Section 34(7) of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020.
- On 6 March 2021, an enforcement officer attached to the NEA was performing his duties at the vicinity of Bedok Reservoir Road when he came across a woman smoking at the void deck of Block 137 Bedok Reservoir Road. During the engagement, the woman’s 58-year-old mother interfered and allegedly made abusive remarks at the enforcement officer. The 58-year-old woman will be charged with one count of using abusive words to a public servant punishable under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act.
- On 19 March 2021, a group of Certis officers and Safe Distancing Ambassadors attached to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) was performing enforcement duties at Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre when they noticed a 46-year-old man who was not wearing a mask. During their subsequent engagement with the man, he had allegedly hurled vulgarities and pointed his middle finger multiple times at the group of enforcement officers. The man was subsequently arrested at scene by the Police when he allegedly caused annoyance whilst drunk by pulling down his pants, exposing himself and urinating in public. The man will be charged with one count of using abusive words and indecent behaviour to a public servant punishable under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act, one count of causing annoyance whilst drunk punishable under Section 14(2) of the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015 and one count of breach of regulation 3A of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 punishable under Section 34(7) of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020.
- On 24 June 2021, a Certis officer who was performing enforcement duties for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) at the vicinity of Kempas Road, saw a motorcycle illegally parked on the pavement. After the officer had issued a summon ticket and placed it on the motorcycle, he was confronted by a 33-year-old male owner of the motorcycle. During the subsequent engagement, the motorcyclist owner had allegedly threatened and hurled vulgarities at the officer. The 33-year-old man will be charged with one count of using abusive and threatening words to a public servant punishable under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act.
The offence of using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty, under Section 353 of the Penal Code, is punishable with an imprisonment term of up to four years, a fine, or both.
The offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards or to a public servant, under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act, is punishable with an imprisonment term of up to 12 months, a fine not exceeding $5,000, or both.
Individuals who are found not to be wearing a mask, or not wearing a mask properly outside their place of residence, are liable for a breach of Regulation 3A of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 punishable under Section 34(7) of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020. Offenders may face a fine not exceeding $10,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding six months, or both.
The offence of causing annoyance whilst drunk is punishable under Section 14(2) of the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015. Offenders may face an imprisonment term not exceeding six months, a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both for first time offenders.
Members of the public are advised to take the prevailing safe distancing measures seriously. The Police take a stern view of abusive behaviour against public servants or public service workers who are carrying out their public duties and irresponsible behaviour relating to the flouting of safe distancing measures. Offenders will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
12 August 2021 @ 9:30 PM