A Singaporean man has left a feedback for the Singapore Police regarding his propensity for getting stopped for random checks:

Because of tattoos

In a post on the Singapore Police Force Facebook page, the man wrote about his experience of having been stopped more than 20 times in just the past few months, especially when he was wearing clothes that made his tattoos visible in public.

Based on his experience, he has not been stopped if his tattoos are covered up while in office attire.

The man framed his feedback positively, saying he is supportive of the work done by the police, but the personnel carrying out the random checks should not single out people with tattoos, as it would constitute as profiling and not entirely random.

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Heightened police presence

There has been a heightened police presence in MRT stations and on trains over the last few years.

These personnel are authorised to stop anyone for random checks as part of security measures undertaken to ensure Singapore remains vigilant.

This is his post in full:

Dear SPF, I really appreciate your effort to keep Singapore safe.

However you may need to relook into the SOP for checking individual IDs at MRT Stations.

I live nearby to Redhill MRT station and hence look for my Friend working there for lunch or after work coffee.

While I have Never been checked while wearing office clothings, I have Always been checked while dressed up casual, sporting a small tattoo on my forearm.

The Officers always tells me it’s “random check” but I’ve been checked 20 over times over few months in casual, compared to “0” times in office wear.

Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m ok with the checking, but do it fairly, without discrimination.

Thank you for your hard work in keeping Singapore safe. Majulah Singapura!

Tattoos in Singapore society

Even though getting tattooed is no longer much of a taboo in Singapore society, especially among the younger generation, antediluvian attitudes towards getting inked still prevail: