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A 46-year-old man allegedly did not wear a mask, hurled vulgarities, and pointed his middle finger at a group of enforcement officers at Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre on Mar. 19.

He is also alleged to have pulled down his pants, exposed himself and urinated.

According to an Aug. 12 police news release, the man and four other individuals — three men and one woman — were charged in court on Friday (Aug. 13) for offences including using abusive language and criminal force towards public servants.

Pointed middle finger, pulled down pants

On Mar. 19, a group of Certis officers and Safe Distancing Ambassadors (SDAs) spotted the 46-year-old man allegedly not wearing a mask at Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre.

They then engaged with the man, who allegedly hurled vulgarities and pointed his middle finger multiple times at the group.

He was later arrested at the scene by police when he allegedly pulled down his pants, exposed himself, and urinated in public, all while drunk.

He was charged in court with one count of using abusive words and indecent behaviour to a public servant, and one count of causing annoyance whilst drunk.

He was also charged with one count of breaching Regulation 3A of the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 (which we'll hereby refer to as the "mask regulation"), which states that masks must be worn when outside.

Slapped enforcement officer

In a separate case on Jan. 25, an enforcement officer came across a 40-year-old man smoking at the void deck of Block 107 Bedok North Road.

During the engagement, the 40-year-old allegedly turned aggressive and slapped the enforcement officer's face while also threatening him.

The man was also allegedly not wearing his mask when conversing with the enforcement officer.

He was charged with one count of using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty, one count of using threatening words to a public servant, and one count of breaching the mask regulation.

Other cases of alleged abusive language toward enforcement officers

Three other individuals were also charged with using abusive language toward enforcement officers.

Mother and daughter

A 58-year-old woman was charged with one count of using abusive words to a public servant after she allegedly made abusive remarks at an enforcement officer attached to NEA on Mar. 6.

The officer came across the woman's daughter smoking at the void deck of Block 137 Bedok Reservoir Road.

The 58-year-old woman then interfered while the enforcement officer was engaging with her daughter, and allegedly made the abusive remarks.

Motorcycle owner

On Jun. 24, a Certis officer saw a motorcycle illegally parked on the pavement near Kempas Road.

After the officer issued a summon ticket and placed it on the motorcycle, he was confronted by a 33-year-old man who owned the motorcycle.

The man then allegedly threatened and hurled vulgarities at the officer. He was charged with one count of using abusive and threatening words to a public servant.

Stall operator

On Jan. 24, a 39-year-old stall operator at Blk 341 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 allegedly hurled vulgarities at an SDA after the SDA asked a Town Council staff to help advise the man to put on his mask, as he was not wearing one.

He was charged with one count of using abusive words to the Safe Distancing Ambassador on Jan. 24.

He had already previously been given a 12-month conditional warning for hurling abusive language at a Certis officer who had been enforcing safe distancing measures on May 21, 2020.

The 12-month conditional warning had been administered on Aug. 14, 2020, and required that the man not commit any offence for a period of 12 months, which he breached on Jan. 24.

As such, he will also be charged with another count of using abusive words to a public servant, this time for the May 21, 2020 incident.

Possible punishments

Someone found guilty of using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty can face up to four years in prison, a fine, or both.

For using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards or to a public servant, an individual is punishable with a prison term of up to 12 months, a fine of no more than S$5,000, or both.

Those who breach the mask regulation by not wearing a mask, or not wearing a mask properly outside their place of residence, may face a fine of no more than S$10,000, a prison term of no more than six months, or both.

For causing annoyance while drunk, offenders could face a prison term of up to six months, a fine of no more than S$1,000, or both, for first-time offenders.

Police advise members of the public to take the prevailing safe distancing measures serious.

"The Police take a stern view of abusive behaviour against public servants or public service workers who are carrying out their public duties and irresponsible behaviour relating to the flouting of safe distancing measures.

Offenders will be dealt with in accordance with the law."

Top photos by Ryutaro Tsukata from Pexels.

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