Updates on Singapore Police Force’s water cannon authorisation and deployment criteria

Question:

Mr Gabriel Lam: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what criteria govern the authorisation and deployment of water cannon vehicles for crowd control and whether these have been recently updated; (b) whether a public proportionality framework for such equipment will be published; and (c) how the SPF incorporates international operational lessons to minimise bystander risks.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. The use of force by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to deal with public order incidents is governed by an internal framework. The framework calibrates the response according to the severity and risk of the incident, is grounded on de-escalation, and pre mised on legality, proportionality and safety.

2. This framework applies in the deployment of water cannons. SPF’s water cannons are intended only for large-scale incidents where there is significant public disorder. Even so, the officers must consider the safety of the public and rioters, before deployi ng the cannons.

3. The SPF regularly reviews the framework and its tactics, incorporating lessons learnt from overseas and the latest technology.