We refer to Mr Lionel De Souza’s online Forum letter "Act more decisively against armed suspect" on 8 January 2019.
When effecting an arrest, Police officers will assess and decide on the most appropriate force to use based on the circumstances. All Police officers are trained in the use of force continuum, which range from unarmed tactics to the use of TASERs and firearms. There are strict safety guidelines on the use of TASERs and firearms, and these are employed when Police assess that the threat to the public is imminent.
In the Boon Lay incident referred to by Mr De Souza, the subject had threatened to harm himself with a bread knife. Upon arriving at the scene, Police officers engaged him verbally first, to get him to put down his knife. After the subject failed to do so, the Police officers moved in swiftly to disarm him to prevent him from hurting himself or others. He was then placed under arrest. The incident was resolved within 11 minutes after the call for assistance was received, and 9 minutes upon the officers arriving on the scene, and no one was injured.
The Police officers had acted decisively and appropriately in this incident. In 43 other incidents in the last 3 years, the Police had, on the other hand, employed TASERs to restrain the arm-wielding or violent subjects. The Police will not hesitate to take forceful action against those who threaten the safety and security of the public, including through the use of TASERs and firearms, when the circumstances so require.
SUPERINTENDENT SIMON NG
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION)
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
15 January 2019 @ 3:32 PM