Criminal force has been used against front line officers who are helping to maintain the country’s enhanced safe distancing measures and the Singapore Police Force are investigating.

This was revealed by the minister for the environment and water resources Masagos Zulkifli in a Facebook post on Wednesday, April 15.

He wrote that he was upset to learn that criminal force was used against “quite a number of our officers on the frontline”, as he cited two examples.

Masagos wrote: “Today, an enforcement officer was slapped by a man who did not comply with safe distancing measures, and a safe distancing ambassador was punched by an errant member of the public when advised to wear his mask properly.”

He stressed that such behaviour is “unacceptable”.

However, he also said that many Singaporeans understand the need to adhere to measures, but there are some members of the public who remain recalcitrant.

He said those on the front line are doing it for everyone else: “Our ambassadors and enforcement officers are going beyond their day jobs to work tirelessly on the front line to fine the few who are putting everyone in danger, and to protect them, too.”

The public should appreciate the officers and listen to their advice, he wrote.

OneService app to report violations

Masagos also said he was glad to see the public using the OneService mobile application under the Municipal Services Office to give feedback on the safe distancing regulations.

The app has been updated so that users may submit photos of people not adhering to the circuit breaker measures.

Masagos reminded the public to only submit photos they have taken by themselves.

He also said that users should provide as many “actionable details” as possible.

Masagos also reminded the public that wearing a mask is a must when leaving their homes from April 16 onwards.

Those caught can face a fine of S$300 for the first offence, and S$1,000 for the second offence -- penalties that are similar to breaches of other safe distancing measures.