K Shanmugam

2023 - 2 - 6

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Image courtesy of "The Straits Times"

Police officers need latitude to make quick ground decisions, not ... (The Straits Times)

SINGAPORE – The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) are considering appealing against the High Court's recent decision ...

An average of 78 police officers have been subjected to disciplinary proceedings in each of the past three years, said Mr Shanmugam. Mr Shanmugam said the court had found that Mr Mah had exhibited unusual behaviour, but that these did not qualify as symptoms of someone with a mental disorder. Mr Shanmugam said: “We are studying the court’s comments carefully. Thirdly, if potential criminal offences are uncovered, MHA will recommend court prosecution and let the courts deal with the matter. It would be easier, in such situations, to not do anything.” “It will also lead to defensive policing, where the ground officers will try to do the least possible,” he said.

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Image courtesy of "CNA"

Government has concerns about court judgment on wrongful arrest ... (CNA)

Mr Mah Kiat Seng was awarded S$20000 in damages last month after a High Court judge found he was wrongly imprisoned on the basis of mental illness.

“If criminal offences are potentially disclosed, we recommend court prosecution and let the courts deal with the matter.” “We are studying the court’s comments carefully. He added: “The officers must be given sufficient latitude to make swift ground assessments and decisions, so long as they have acted in good faith. They fear that everything they do will be over-analysed and picked apart unfairly.” The framework that is in place to ensure police officers behave in accordance with the law has also helped to maintain standards and trust, Mr Shanmugam said. He told the House that while the police have to be held to the highest standards, MHA has to ensure that the analysis of officers’ ground judgments is “reasonable and fair”.

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