Children handcuffed
A photo showing 3 kids being handcuffed by 4 policemen was shared by Shan Ang on facebook. The incident captured by her took place at 9.15 am at 112 Katong, the junction of Joo Chiat Road and East Coast Road.
Ms Ang wrote in her post,

“I just saw 3 very young kids under hand cuff. Pains my heart that the police handcuff young kids like 6 yr old.
Can’t they just put them into police car n not handcuff them in public?
Two older kids like 8 or 9 years old are made to walk towards the police station with handcuffed!”

Ms Ang added that she does not know what crime the kids have committed.
It is said that the children were waiting at the spot with 3 policemen and were handcuffed when 3 other policemen arrived at the scene.
The two older kids were made to walk across the road while handcuffed towards police station taking around 10 mins while the youngest boy was seated in the police car.
The SPF wrote in response to question posed on its facebook fanpage on the incident saying,

“Police received a call on 27 December 2014 at about 8.09am requesting for assistance at a building along East Coast Road. Upon Police’s arrival, it was established that a case of Theft from Person had occurred. Three male subjects were arrested in relation to the case. The subjects were handcuffed for the safety of them and others as they had attempted to escape before Police’s arrival. Police investigations are ongoing.”

It is also stated that the three juveniles are aged between 9 and 12 years old.
Speaking to a former policeman, he said that the police generally would not handcuff individuals if they are under the age of 7 but there is a caveat based on the need to restrain – e.g. violent behavior exhibited by the individual.
So while the act of handcuffing children can be morally criticised, but still legally sound as the policemen could say that they had justification.
Questions have been sent to the Singapore Police Force on this incident and will be published when they respond.

Subscribe
Notify of
55 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

Director Ivan Heng of W!ld Rice on his Animal Farm

The highly anticipated revival of W!LD RICE’s Animal Farm opened this week.…

Liew Mun Leong’s company-wide email blast emphasising “integrity” being hypocritical?

Following the acquittal of Liew Mun Leong’s former domestic worker, Parti Liyani,…

【冠状病毒19】印尼1千600志愿者 接种测试中国生产疫苗

今日(11日),邻国印尼有多达1600志愿者,将开始接种测试中国生产的冠状病毒19疫苗。 这款疫苗由中国医药公司北京科兴控股公司研发,进入第三阶段,仍待最后一道临床试验。 早前,该疫苗已在巴西完成9000志愿者的测试。 印尼目前由超过12万7千人确诊,死亡人数超过5千700人。至于上述疫苗测试将持续至明年2月份。若能被证实无风险且有效,当地政府将下令量产。

Potong Pasir petition campaign called off after police intervened

Elliot Aruldoss, Jewel Philemon It all started on 7 May when the…