Arrests Made for Attempted Suicides
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Louis Ng Kok Kwang's inquiry regarding the frequency of arrests for attempted suicide, specific police protocols, and potential non-arrest prevention strategies. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam stated that police prioritize safety and compassion, with arrests being used primarily to prevent individuals from harming themselves or others. In 2015, 837 of the 1,096 reported cases resulted in custody, though only two individuals were prosecuted. The Minister explained that police provide follow-up care by referring cases to the Samaritans of Singapore, engaging next-of-kin, or facilitating medical assessments at the Institute of Mental Health. This approach balances the legal status of the act with a focus on ensuring individuals receive necessary psychological support and medical treatment.
Transcript
11 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many arrests have been made last year for attempted suicides; (b) whether police officers making these arrests are trained to follow any specific protocol or approach which differs from arrests for other offences; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider having police suicide prevention practices that do not involve arrests.
Mr K Shanmugam: It has been a criminal offence to attempt suicide. It was thought to be important that society should oppose people taking their own lives. In practice, prosecutions are rare.
Police officers try to respond to cases of attempted suicide with sensitivity and compassion. Persons who attempt suicide are emotionally and psychologically distressed. When responding to such cases, Police's priority is to ensure the person's safety. Police officers try to look out for signs of suicidal tendencies and take this into consideration in their response.
As regards arrests, Police arrest persons for cases of attempted suicide usually to prevent them from doing harm, either to themselves or to others. When it is assessed that there is no such risk, they may not be arrested. It is on this basis that 837 persons were taken into custody for attempting suicide, out of 1,096 cases of attempted suicide reported in 2015. However, only two of them were eventually prosecuted.
For all cases of attempted suicide, Police will recommend the appropriate follow-up. Police may refer the person to the Samaritans of Singapore for counselling, or engage the next-of-kin to assist in supporting and caring for the person. If there are clear signs indicating possible mental instability, Police may refer the person to IMH for an assessment of the person's mental state. If deemed necessary by medical professionals, the person may subsequently be warded at IMH for care and treatment.