More cases of security officer abuse in Q1 2023, higher than monthly average from 2018 to 2021: Shanmugam

SINGAPORE — More cases of security officers being abused or harassed were reported during the first three months of 2023 compared to the monthly average from 2018 to 2021, Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam said on Monday (May 8).

On average, there were about 23 abuse or harassment cases reported each month in the first three months of the year, higher than the average of 13 reported cases a month between 2018 and 2021.

Mr Shanmugam, who is also the Law Minister, provided the figures in response to parliamentary questions by Radin Mas Member of Parliament Melvin Yong. Mr Yong asked:

• For the number of abuse cases against security officers in the first four months of this year
• Whether there has been an increase in the number of such abuse cases over the past five years; and
• How the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) intends to send a strong message that such cases are unacceptable

Mr Shanmugam said that MHA takes such cases seriously, and had amended the Private Security Industry Act in October 2021 to enhance protection for security officers, with penalties pegged higher than if they were committed against general members of the public.

The amendments came into force from May 2022.

Anecdotally, higher awareness among security officers of the protection afforded to them has encouraged more officers, employers and the Union of Security Employees to come forward to report abuse and harassment cases, he added.

Mr Shanmugam said that harassment and abuse cases against security officers will continue to be treated seriously and the police will investigate serious cases.

He added that MHA will also work with partners to reinforce the message that security officers should be treated with respect and abuse will not be condoned.

“Perpetrators must know that security officers have both the protection of the law and the fullest support of the industry.”

A day earlier on Sunday, a security supervisor at City Square Residences condominium was allegedly assaulted by a group of people in the early morning.

The officer, identified as Mr Suraskumar, was injured in the attack, the Security Association Singapore said on Monday.