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Experience with Police Officers on August 18 2009
Venue: Blk 112 Hougang Ave 1 #11-1100, Singapore 530112
My boyfriend made a police report as per request of a couple who was involved in a misunderstanding due to a misunderstanding between them and our 12 year old neighbour.
When the Police Officers arrived, one of the Police Officer (lets call him A) swaggered towards us and asked what happened. My boyfriend explained the situation and as we were only witnesses, he started to questioned our neighbour, asking for his IC repeatedly. Our 12 year old neighbour was at the point of time on the phone relating to his aunt and uncle the incident that had just happened.
I then told A the alleged party involved (our 12 year old neighbour) was just a child. (To me it was obvious that he was a young boy, one who was most probably still in pri sch, even though I did not know his actual age at the point of time and had later on checked with the boy’s grandma his age. )
A’s immediate reply was “Do I know?” in a incredulous tone. I am not sure if this is the way a police officer handles cases. Shouldn’t he have just politely said: “I did not know”. Putting that aside, the alleged party was a mere child and even as a passerby I could see that fact. How can a trained Police Sergant not be able to judged? I had always believed in the efficiency and quick ability of Singapore’s police officers in cracking cases and being able to somehow pin point an age to a suspect, due largely to all the news reports, etc. Therefore I found it hard to believe that he was unable to judge and found his rude reply shocking. I found myself starting to question the ability and commitment of this officer involved.
Next, my boyfriend kindly took over the phone from our 12 year old neighbour and assisted in explaining to the aunt and uncle over the phone what had transpired. Our 12 year old neighbour on the
insistance of his grandmother went upstairs to take his bus pass. During the whole time, A was glaring at my boyfriend who was talking with our neighbour’s aunt and uncle. I was curious as to why he stared at my boyfriend. So I asked him “Sir, why are you staring at him?”
I forgot what was his reply but think it was something like “I am listening to the conversation.”
I then told A that I do not think it was right for him to do so, because it is a private conversation first of all. He then said that as police officers they have to keep their ears open so that they can
catch criminals or solve crimes. But I felt that since it was a private conversation. If you want to find out more information, couldn’t you have waited to ask for the facts? And even if police officers do have the right to listen to our private conversations, was there a need to listen and stare in such a rude manner?
Seriously, if A was not in the police uniform I would have thought that he was a gangster trying to pick a fight. I was feeling slightly threatened by his behaviour. Aren’t we, as Singapore citizens supposed to feel protected and safe by the police? I was steadily losing confidence at how A was handling this case.
After ending his telephone call, my boyfriend told A that he, as a Police Officer shouldn’t have badgered our 12 year old neighbour when he was on the phone talking. As for the child he must be feeling really lost and scared by the way A demanded for his I/C.
A then commented that even children, can be criminals and that our 12 year old neighbour should not have been talking to his aunt and uncle when we had called for the police to step in. I would like to stress here that the couple involved (middle-aged, around their 30s) were the ones who made the request to report to the police, and my boyfriend obliged with their request. During the whole saga described above, the couple were just standing at the side of the scene. To be efficient, shouldn’t they haveattended to and interviewed them first if one party is occupied? I can’t help but feel the Police Officer approached us first because all of us look younger, which probably make us look more vulnerable.
I then told A that when someone had been trying to contact your elders before, it was onlyh logical and polite for that someone to pick up the phone call. A then replied “You called the police what. You want the police to handle the case right? So now what you want? You want us to settle the case?”
I found it extremely rude and offensive and it was coming across as if he was abusing his authority. So does this mean that we are suppose to give up all rights to answer phone calls if we were involved in a police investigation, does that mean that I would have to boycott all calls even if it was from my employer, a family member or my lawyer? Do we not have the right to answer phone calls in the midst of a police investigation? Must we prioritise the police in all situations that they are involved, when they are serving Singapore Citizens?
Following which, A motioned for our 12 year old neighbour to follow him to one side, away from us and his grandmother. I felt that it was wrong to interview a minor away from a legal
guardian, especially since it was evident that the minor was traumatized by A earlier. So I went over and questioned him.
Due to my lack of knowledge of the law system, Sergant Mohd Azmi corrected me and said “do you know that the police have the rights to take a minor and interrogate him in the police station alone?” He then asked me “you don’t trust the police?” To which I responded, (after seeing how A handled the case), “Yes, I do not trust the police” However, as I still felt that the grandmother had the right to be at the boy’s side, seeing that the boy was really traumatized by the whole incident and that the boy have not even committed a crime. So I asked the grandmother to go over. A immediately motioned for the grandmother to stay away, I dont’ really think this was right.
At this point of time the other police officer was interviewing the Malay couple. And the matter was eventually resolved with an apology from the couple involved.
However, as we were unpleased with how the whole situation was handled, my boyfriend asked for the rank and name of the officers involved. Immediately, they asked for my particulars.
It felt like an action to intimidate, to threaten. Why are our particulars immediately demanded when we mentioned that we wanted to lodge a complain?
why shouldn’t I trust the police since my boyfriend
say police officers should have recieved proper training to handle cases. Why am I being questioned on my trust on the police? Isn’t it up to the public to grade how if the law enforcers are trustworthy? Even when MPs run for election, Singaporean Citizens have the right to decide who we trust and therefore support Isn’t that a basic right?
I didn’t, and couldn’t convince myself to trust the police, because of what I saw and experienced. I am disappointed at how this case was being handled, that in being a good citizen in helping our neighbour (the 12 year old boy) in this misunderstanding warrant such attitude from a law enforcer. The following is an extract from the Police Pledge:”We pledge to serve our
community and our country and to be courteous and humane in our dealings with every fellowman.” Once again I can only say that I am utterly truely saddened by this incident and really find it hard to have faith in the Singapore Police Force.
I then asked A’s partner. “Why do you request for our particulars immediately when we mentioned that we want to complain?” He said, “nothing nothing.. just a routine check.” What is there to check on? Whether do we always complain? I am at a loss regarding their professionalism and am i repeat utterly dissapointed with the law enforcers!
The Station Inspector and Inspector then came to the scene as they were in the area and, after A had either walkie talkie or phoned them.
When they arrived on at the scene, I have to admit that they gave me a feeling of assurance and trust. After listening to the side of our story, they mentioned that he will check with A on this the case and provide us with an approriate response.
He then called us at around 2am (seriously.. why at such a werid timing?) , telling my boyfriend that he had spoken with A and that A claimed that he did not raise his voice at our 12 year
old neighbour. So the Station Inspector then said, so it is not intimidating. We then mentioned that there is different ways of intimidation. It might not be a matter of voice level, but his body language was still rather intimidating. At which the Station Inspector mentioned that this is still rather subjective. (I will attached up the photo soon..)
Station Inspector then questioned my boyfriend what does he deem by appropriate behaviour. My boyfriend then mentioned that he believed that the police would have recieved proper training on how to handle interviews with minors. I spoke up at this, and the Station Inspector said that I had told A that I do not trust the police. And that
I do not think that what we have experienced is an isolated case. And that I feel there should be some public forum which people are able to grade and feedback on these supposed law enforcers because to me, some are merely abusing their authority. Wearing an uniform do not give you the right to be rude.
L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore can
Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please dont break it
Love was made for me and you
L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore can
Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please dont break it
Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you
*Love the song~
I got the call today, I didn’t wanna hear
But I knew that it would come
An old true friend of ours was talkin’ on the phone
She said you found someone
And I thought of all the bad luck,
And all the struggles we went through
How I lost me and you lost you
What are these voices outside love’s open door
Make us throw off our contentment
And beg for something more?I’ve been learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew, I’m learning them again
I’ve been tryin’ to get down to the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it’s about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don’t love me anymore
These times are so uncertain
There’s a yearning undefined
And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive in such a graceless age
And the trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They’re the very things we kill, I guess
Pride and competition cannot fill these empty arms
And the work they put between us,
You know it doesn’t keep us warm
I’ve been trying to live without you now
But I miss you, baby
The more I know, the less I understand
And all the things I thought I figured out, I have to learn again
I’ve been tryin’ to get down to the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my heart is so shattered
But I think it’s about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don’t love me anymore
All the people in your life who’ve come and gone
They let you down, you know they hurt your pride
Better put it all behind you; cause life goes on
You keep carrin’ that anger, it’ll eat you up inside
I wanna be happily ever after
And my heart is so shattered
But I know it’s about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don’t love me anymore
I’ve been tryin’ to get down to the Heart of the Matter
Because the flesh will get weak
And the ashes will scatter
So I’m thinkin’ about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if you don’t love me anymore
Even if you don’t love me anymore
Love the song.. when I was heard it I was tearing.. But somehow I did not link the song to a relationship between a Man and a Woman, but instead between friends… maybe because the song is a soundtrack from Sex and the City, and it was during the part when Carrie and Marianda were sharing their troubles..
Who say women can’t bond? Though we bitch often, but I guess when there is a need for the ya-ya sisterhood to stand by each other, we are often fiercer than all the men put together. Three cheers for all the ladies out there and all the bonds forged.. all the tears, sweat and pain that we have been through be it with sisters or girl friends!
Hope we will all be able to pull through whatever life puts in our path.. together..
Just went for a ktv-ing session with the girls..
and i realised that all the songs of relationships are about how all ‘turning sour somehow.. dunnoe why it is like that now..’ etc etc.
Change is like a variable. The only constant. Constantly changing.
Scientific explaination will be that we are humans. humans are ever growing, exposed to different things continuously… and thus, our emotions, experience will cause change in our expectations, view of certain things which includes our other half.
Which means.. that asking why is simply useless.. because everything is actually inexplicable..
Really admire people who can just let go and love the other half wholly.. Cos I can’t seem to be able to do just that.. not selfless enough.. can’t give without knowing that I am certainly getting something back for sure.. and hence it is my explaination as to why my relationships do not seem to last beyond 2.5 yrs..
Not sure is it because i have trust issues… or is it deep rooted insecurities? or is it through experience that i have accumulated such issues?
someone once told me that emotions come and go, that we as humans are unable to predict what we will feel even the next day. For instance, one can go to sleep very much in love with this person and when one wakes up, the feelings can just fade.. reasons? or are they just explainations that we logic out to let us understand the human basic instincts?
hmm.. my blog post is not making sense at all~
Cheers~
I’ve dealt with my ghosts and I’ve faced all my demons
Finally content with a past I regret
I’ve found you find strength in your moments of weakness
For once I’m at peace with myself
I’ve been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long
I’m movin’ on
I’ve lived in this place and I know all the faces
Each one is different but they’re always the same
They mean me no harm but it’s time that I face it
They’ll never allow me to change
But I never dreamed home would end up where I don’t belong
I’m movin’ on
I’m movin’ on
At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there’s no guarantees, but I’m not alone
There comes a time in everyone’s life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind that those days are gone
I sold what I could and packed what I couldn’t
Stopped to fill up on my way out of town
I’ve loved like I should but lived like I shouldn’t
I had to lose everything to find out
Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road
I’m movin’ on
I’m movin’ on
I’m movin’ on
Sometimes, just sometimes.
I don’t know why, but at times I just feel the same way.
That this isn’t where I am suppose to be. Then I wonder, if its just my way of escaping…
