Timelines for Investigation of Outrage of Modesty Cases

Ms Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether there are benchmarks for investigation timelines in outrage of modesty cases; (b) what safeguards ensure evidence such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage is secured before deletion in such cases; and (c) what channels are available for victims to obtain progress updates and escalate concerns about investigative delays.

The Second Minister for Home Affairs (Ms Sim Ann): Sir, the Police have internal controls in place to ensure that cases under police investigation, including outrage of modesty cases are followed up promptly and thoroughly.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) does not have fixed investigative timelines, as the investigations required for each case depend on the facts and complexity of the case. There are many factors that can affect the length of an investigation of an outrage of modesty case, such as the number of witnesses involved or the need to secure and process the different types of evidence. It is important that investigation officers (IOs) undertake robust investigation to establish the facts in every case. The IO will provide the victim with periodic updates throughout the course of investigation.

Victims who require further information on their case may contact the IO via email or phone, or through the Investigation Branch Call Centre. The Police will take prompt steps to secure closed circuit television footage and other evidence as part of the investigation process. Under the Criminal Procedure Code, the Police may issue a written order requiring a person in possession of such footage to produce it by a stipulated date and time. Failure to comply with the order is an offence.

As with all Police investigations, timely reporting of offences is critical to enable the Police to secure the relevant evidence.

12.00 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time. The Clerk will now proceed to read the Orders of the Day.

[ Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), provided that Members had not asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn, written answers to questions not reached by the end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix. ]