FISCA wants to help members to write complaints to the Police, if they have been cheated or badly treated by another party, and some law has been infringed. The volunteers should preferably have knowledge of the law and experience in writing complaints to Police. If you wish to volunteer, send an e-mail to kinlian@gmail.com
I have received 1 reply from an ex-Police officer. I hope to get another 1 or 2 volunteers
ReplyDeleteMr. Tan,
ReplyDeleteGood idea.
Sometimes I am wondering. To what extent the police will investigate and take action on police reports.
ReplyDeleteDo they have all the expertise and enough manpower to do the job? Or do they priortise based on their perception and judgement of the case?
I know from letters to the press that if one makes a police report for assault, even with serious physical injury, the police will ask the victim to lodge a civil action suit against the assailant. The police will not initiate prosecution.
Unless of course it concerns a MP, where even a verbal threat over the phone is enough to land one in jail.
for assault cases, it is a non-seizable offence. Its nt that the police dun wana to take action but becos the law doesnt empower them to make arrest unlike theft, outrage modesty, house breaking, possession of dangerous weapon etc... Unless the law is amended to include assault as seizable offence, otherwise it will continue to be a civil suit.
ReplyDeleteThe police acts on FIR (first information report). There must be something in the FIR to trigger an investigation according law and police procedures. Otherwise, it's NOD (no offence disclosed) and case closed. So knowing how to write a report is very important.
ReplyDeleteOf course, it doesn't mean frivolous baseless reports would or should be investigated into just because someone knows how to word and structure a police report. The facts of the case and its validity is most essential.
As in the case of assault, it's not the police's fault for not acting upon common assault. The law provides no power for them to act against the aggressor except to stop the brawl in order to maintain peace. Unless, the assault involved weapon, "grevious hurt", rioting, etc. all of which defined in the Penal Code, then it becomes a police case.
My personal opinion is, this is a remnant of colonial law, which didn't want the police to get too much involved in private squabbles, which were very common amongst what were considered as uneducated and uncultured colonial subjects and immigrants. Let them go slap each other or punch each as long as no serious incidents caused, that was the idea.
In Britain today, a mere shoulder butting across a crowded train station can constitute a police actionable assault and battery.
Yes, I agree. The recent laws introduced to protect MPs after the Seng Han Thong incident were too harsh. I feel uncomfortable getting near an MP or talking to him/her. If I sound out any anger or disagreement too vocally, it could mean 20 years behind bars.
ReplyDeleteStark contrast with common assault between citizens, non-police case, isn't it?
I have received replies from two volunteers. This will be sufficient for our immediate needs.
ReplyDelete