Police Intervention Guidelines for Youths Aged Below 14 Involved in Physical Assault and Bullying Cases
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the criteria for police intervention and arrests of youths under age 14 in physical assault and bullying cases, as raised by Ms Carrie Tan. Minister K Shanmugam stated that the police work with the Ministry of Education to balance deterrence and punishment with rehabilitation for young offenders. He explained that the police investigate egregious cases by considering the extent of harm and the need for deterrence, while consulting the Attorney-General’s Chambers. Cases not deemed egregious are managed by schools through disciplinary measures, counselling, and restorative efforts to help offending students improve their behavior. Parents are encouraged to report incidents to schools, which are responsible for determining when a situation is egregious enough to require a formal police report.
Transcript
74 Ms Carrie Tan asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) under what circumstances do Police Officers arrest youths below 14 years old in physical assault and bullying cases; (b) whether there are guidelines based on severity of harm or injury before Police intervention is justified for incidents in schools; and (c) if not, how does Police determine which cases are handled by Police and which cases fall outside Police intervention so that parents are aware of the appropriate recourse channels when a child suffers physical assault by a peer.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Police work closely with the Ministry of Education to deal with bullying and physical violence among students, striking a balance between punishing and deterring such behaviour and rehabilitation in view of the young age of the offenders.
For cases that are assessed to be egregious, the Police will investigate and consult the Attorney-General’s Chambers on the action to be taken against the offender. The assessment of whether to investigate and pursue prosecution would depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. In general, the Police would consider factors, such as the extent of harm caused and the need for deterrence.
Cases that are not egregious are best dealt with by the school. The school can investigate and decide on the appropriate course of action, including disciplinary action and counselling the victims. Teachers can help the offending students mend their ways through education and restorative efforts.
Parents of children who are victims of bullying and physical violence should alert the schools. All reports are treated seriously. For cases that are egregious, the school will make a Police report.