Man, 43, to be charged for uttering vulgarities, spitting on officer as police & SCDF attended to Yishun fire

The police will be charging a 43-year-old man in court on Jul. 6, 2026 for using criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty.

Scolded vulgarities, spat

According to a Jul. 5 police news release, police officers were attending to a case of fire at Block 381 Yishun Ring Road at about 5:10pm on Jul. 3.

They then encountered the man who scolded vulgarities at the officers, continuously shouted and created a disturbance, preventing officers from managing the scene.

Upon being engaged by officers, the man refused to cease his behaviour and spat on an officer.

He was arrested at the scene.

Challenged officers

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) had earlier said in a Facebook post that they were alerted to a fire at the Yishun block at about 5:15pm on Jul. 3.

As officers attended to the scene, a man reportedly caused a ruckus on the ground floor.

In videos that circulated on social media, the man, dressed in a red top and red shoes, could be seen challenging police officers.

In one video, one of the officers could be heard reasoning with the man during the emergency.

The man could then be seen leaning his body toward the officer, appearing to challenge him by saying, "I cannot hear, I cannot hear".

The man was then seen walking away from the officers and shouting, "Don't talk to me!"

In another video, he could be seen challenging officers to arrest him.

It is unclear what gave rise to the altercation.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the man continued cussing at the officers even as they held him down on the ground and detained him.

He continued to be uncooperative when paramedics attempted to check on him.

The man's antics reportedly lasted for about two hours before he was eventually taken away in an ambulance.

Penalties

The man will be charged with the offence of using criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty, which carries a jail term of up to four years, or a fine, or both.

It added: "The police have zero tolerance towards those who obstruct, harass, or use force against public servants in the discharge of their duties."

"We will not hesitate to take action against those who blatantly disregard the law."