Abuse against Security Officers
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the rising number of abuse cases against security officers and the legal measures introduced to protect them. Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about statistical trends over the past five years and how the Ministry intends to signal that such abuse is unacceptable. Minister K Shanmugam noted that average monthly reported cases increased from 13 between 2018 and 2021 to 23 in early 2023, which he attributed to higher awareness and reporting. He explained that the Private Security Industry Act was amended in 2021 to provide enhanced protections and higher penalties than those available for offenses against the general public. Finally, the Ministry works with tripartite partners to reinforce respect for officers, while the Police continue to investigate egregious cases to uphold legal protections.
Transcript
63 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the number of abuse cases against security officers in the first four months of 2023; (b) whether there has been an increase in the number of such abuse cases over the past five years; and (c) how does the Ministry intend to send a strong message that abuse of security officers is unacceptable.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) takes a very serious view of abuse and harassment of security officers. This is why we amended the Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) in October 2021 to enhance protections for security officers, with penalties pegged higher than if they were committed against general members of the public. These amendments have been in force since May 2022.
On average, there were about 23 abuse or harassment cases reported each month in the first three months of 2023.
This is higher than the average of 13 reported cases per month between 2018 and 2021, before the PSIA was amended. Anecdotally, there is higher awareness among security officers of the protections afforded to them. This has encouraged the officers, their employers and the Union of Security Employees to come forward to report incidents of abuse or harassment.
Cases of harassment and abuse against security officers will continue to be treated seriously and the Police will investigate egregious cases. MHA will also work with our tripartite partners to reinforce the message that security officers should be treated with respect and the abuse of security officers will not be condoned. Perpetrators must know that security officers have both the protection of the law and the fullest support of the industry.