Originally posted by BillyBong:
[b]Police
explain actions taken in assault case
Aug 16,
2006
The Straits Times
POLICE empathise with the plight of Ms
Liew Sok Kuan's brother ('Assault 'a civil case', so no police
action'; ST, Aug 
and would
like to apologise for the unpleasant experience that he had with
our officers who first attended to the case.
We would like to clarify that we have been in contact with Ms Liew
and her brother since the case was first reported, and have been
updating him on our investigations.
Police received a call from Dr Liew at 12.05am on April 15
reporting the assault and that the assailants had already left on
motorcycles. Though he mentioned that an ambulance was not
required, the nearest available officers were despatched
immediately, followed by paramedics.
At the same time, all officers on the ground were alerted to look
out for motorcycles bearing the two registration numbers that Dr
Liew provided to our operator.
On arrival at about 12.25am, the police officers were informed by
Dr Liew that two men from a group of six to eight had punched him -
once in the face, and once in the stomach. He was observed to be
bleeding from the nose.
Based on the initial information given, the case was classified as
voluntarily causing hurt under Section 323 of the Penal Code.
However, such a case requires a magistrate's authorisation before
the police can exercise full powers of investigation. Dr Liew was
given a police medical-report form and a referral letter to lodge a
complaint with the magistrate.
He was, however, advised to contact the investigation officer
should his medical examination reveal any fracture or other serious
injury as the case may then fall under a different
classification.
Our officers also proceeded to conduct enquiries at the
scene.
Later that same morning, Dr Liew visited a neighbourhood police
centre and provided his medical report, which indicated a fracture.
This development was communicated to the investigation officer, who
then reclassified the case that very same day to voluntarily
causing grievous hurt (under Section 325) which did not require the
lodging of a magistrate's complaint.
Dr Liew was informed that the case had been reclassified. Ms Liew
also called the investigation officer at about 9pm the same evening
and the officer informed her that police were investigating.
The Head of Investigation also spoke and wrote to Ms Liew and her
brother to assure them of police action a few days later, following
written appeals she had sent.
We acknowledge that our responding officers at the scene should
have treated the incident more seriously, based on the
circumstances that led to the assault. Had this been done, it would
have been unnecessary for Dr Liew to be advised that he needed to
make an application to a magistrate.
Nevertheless, this lapse has not compromised the investigation. The
leads provided by Dr Liew were followed up on. One of the
motorcycle numbers was invalid and the nearest match was
established to be unrelated to the case, while the owner of the
other motorcycle was identified and assisted in the
investigation.
An identification parade had also been arranged for Dr Liew. We
will continue to keep him updated on the investigations.
Audrey Ang (Ms)
Assistant Director
(Media Relations)
Singapore Police Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE GRAVER THAN WAY IT WAS
TREATED
We acknowledge that our responding officers at the scene should
have treated the incident more seriously, based on the
circumstances that led to the assault on Dr
Liew.
So the police are writing it off as misjudgement on the part of
their officers, but insist action was taken at the scene; the only
exception was that it was woefully inadequate.
Considering how govt agencies close ranks and protect themselves, i
doubt that any disciplinary action will be taken against the pair
of officers in question. [/b]
'SPECIAL CASE' siah....
I also 'empathise' with SINGAPOREANS....
