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Students currently not allowed to be accompanied to police station

SINGAPORE — Current police practice and protocols do not allow teachers or school staff to accompany a student in a police car, or be present during questioning at a police station, Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng said in Parliament on Tuesday (March 1).

SINGAPORE – Current police practice and protocols do not allow teachers or school staff to accompany a student in a police car, or to be present during questioning at a police station, Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng said in Parliament on Tuesday (March 1)..

He was responding to concerns raised by the public following the death of 14-year-old Benjamin Lim, who was found dead on Jan 26 after being questioned by the police for allegedly molesting a girl.

In his ministerial statement, Mr Ng said he understood why there were questions as to why Benjamin’s school did not send anyone to accompany the teenager to the police station.

However, the current police practice does not allow teachers or school staff to be in the police car with a student being investigated for possible crimes, he said.

Neither do existing police protocols allow other persons to be present when the student is undergoing questioning at the police station. After questioning, the student is released back to the direct care of his or her parents. 

Mr Ng stressed that school staff would follow up with the parents to offer support or help in looking after the student’s well-being. He also addressed another public query over the decision to keep Benjamin from attending a school camp that was held a day after he was questioned by the police. 

Mr Ng pointed out that the camp would have required the teenager to be away from home for three days. A school counsellor who called Benjamin’s mother on the afternoon of Jan 26 had asked if it would be better for the teenager to remain with his family during this difficult period. His mother agreed.

Mr Ng said the school’s motivation throughout its conversation with Benjamin’s family was to care for the student’s well-being.

He added that he fully stood behind his principals and school staff, who place students at the centre of the school’s purpose and mission.

Mr Ng said the Ministry of Education would participate in the review of police practices and protocols following Benjamin’s death.

School processes will be adapted and refined where needed, Mr Ng said, to align them with the recommendations arising from the review, such as requiring a school staff member to act as an “appropriate adult” at the police station.

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