Written Reply to Parliamentary Questions on Number of Cases of Abuse Against Security Officers Since May 2022

Question:

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye : To ask the Minister for Home Affairs since May 2022, what is the number of cases of abuse against security officers that has been lodged; (b) whether the number of abuse cases are trending lower since new offences were introduced in the amended Private Security Industry Act which took effect from 1 May 2022; and (c) whether there are any plans to further enhance penalties to deter abuse against security officers.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) amended the Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) in October 2021 to enhance protection for security officers against abuse and harassment in their course of work. The amendments have been in force since May 2022.

2. Since May 2022, there has been an average of 27 cases of abuse or harassment reported each month. This is higher than the average of 13 reported cases per month between 2018 and 2021. MHA understands that the enhanced protections afforded to security officers have encouraged more of them, their employers and the Union of Security Employees, to come forward to report incidents of abuse or harassment.

3. As it has only been slightly over a year since the amendments to the PSIA came into force, MHA will continue to monitor the situation for now.