Several proposals were put forth by the Law and Home Affairs ministries to amend the key legislation governing Singapore’s criminal justice process.
- The Bill proposes that police officers be given powers to search suspects at the point of arrest in order to remove dangerous items such as razor blades and needles
- It would be an offence for suspects to refuse a forensic medical examination as required by the police, if the proposed amendments are passed in parliament
- Another proposal is for prison officers to have the power to pursue and arrest an offender who has absconded from community-based programmes or failed to return to prison after being recalled
Louisa Tang
SINGAPORE: A new Bill was introduced in parliament on Wednesday (Jan 10) to allow police officers to search suspects without a warrant in more situations, as well as search suspects during arrest to remove dangerous items.
These are part of several significant proposals by the Law and Home Affairs ministries to amend the key legislation governing Singapore’s criminal justice process.
The amendments are aimed at protecting the public by strengthening the authorities’ powers to tackle crime, including serious sexual crime, and enhancing the country’s criminal court processes, the ministries said.
If the Criminal Procedure (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill is passed in parliament, the police will also be empowered to require accused people to undergo a forensic medical examination if it is relevant, such as taking DNA swabs or blood samples.
It will be an offence for those who refuse to do so without reasonable excuse, and the Bill sets out the proposed penalties.
The two ministries also proposed a new and harsher sentencing option for dangerous offenders who commit violent or sex crimes, including minimum jail terms and detention beyond jail for up to life.
source : https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-police-search-without-warrant-forensic-examination-parliament-bill-4034641