Private investigators, aged 32 & 57, to be charged for surveilling police officer at Police Cantonment Complex

A 32-year-old woman and 57-year-old man, who operate a licensed private investigation agency (PIA), will be charged in court on Oct. 30 for providing investigation services without approval.

They were hired by a male client to surveil a police officer, who was looking into a case against the male client's family member.

This is the first known incident where private investigators have been engaged to tail a police officer working on a case.

Tailed the police at work and home

On Jan. 10, 2022, the police officer detected that he was being surveilled and made a police report, Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a news release.

Investigations later revealed that both the 32-year-old and 57-year-old were partners of a licensed private investigation agency.

As the officer was working at the Police Cantonment Complex, a protected place prescribed by law, prior approval from the police regulatory department is required, SPF said.

However, the duo accepted and carried out the assignment of surveiling the police officer without obtaining necessary approval.

Four private investigators were then assigned by the private investigation agency to work on the surveillance, which included trailing the police officer at his residence and workplace.

Deleted WhatsApp messages

Officers from the Clementi police division identified the duo and the other private investigators through the aid of images from police and CCTV cameras.

During the investigations, the 32-year-old woman deleted certain WhatsApp communications with the male client in order to delete evidence of wrong-doing.

She had sought approval from the 57-year-old man to do so.

"This is the first time that the police are aware of, where a PIA has been engaged to conduct surveillance on a police officer for investigating into a police case," SPF said.

The two will be charged for the offence of carrying out a security assignment without prior approval under the Private Security Industry Act.

The offence carries a fine not exceeding S$50,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both.

Additionally, the women will be charged for allegedly obstructing the course of justice and the man will be charged for abetting this.

The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years, a fine, or both.

Top image via Canva, Google Maps