Sengkang condo resident allegedly slaps security officer's arm after being told to wear shoes in gym

A security officer at a Sengkang condominium was allegedly hit by a resident.

The 29-year-old security officer, Pauline (not her real name), said that she was making her rounds in the early morning of Sep. 18 when she noticed a female resident exercising in the gym without appropriate footwear.

She approached the resident and reminded her about the rules, but the resident refused and continued exercising barefoot.

When the officer requested that she leave the gym, the resident allegedly hit the officer on her arm.

The incident was captured on CCTV.

Police said a 62-year-old woman is assisting with investigations for voluntarily causing hurt to a security officer.

First encounter

Speaking to Mothership, Pauline, said that the incident took place around 5:50am, at The Luxurie, located along Compassvale Road.

Pauline who had only been working at the condo for about three months at the time of the incident, was working the night shift that day.

When passing by the gym during her early morning rounds, she encountered a resident in the gym who was not wearing appropriate footwear.

The resident was exercising barefoot, according to Pauline.

"So, when I saw that, I went up to the gym. I told her nicely, in a proper manner, I told her that, 'Ma'am, you should wear proper shoes to the gym.'"

The resident refused and said she would call Pauline's management, according to the security officer.

Pauline left the scene and returned to her guardhouse.

Second reminder

There, a fellow staff informed Pauline that the resident has to leave the gym immediately.

This prompted her to return to the gym a second time.

"I told her, 'Ma'am, you have to leave'," Pauline said.

The resident allegedly refused in Mandarin.

She later hit Pauline on her left shoulder.

"After that I told her, 'Ma'am, you are not supposed to hit a security officer. I may report you on this matter'," Pauline said.

According to Pauline, the resident did not heed the advice and returned to her exercise.

Pauline said this was her first time encountering the resident.

According to closed circuit television footage shared with Mothership, Pauline could be seen entering the gym and engaging the resident.

About 23 seconds in, the resident slaps Pauline on her shoulder, hard enough to sway the latter. The resident then goes back to exercising.

The video footage had no audio.

Police report made

Pauline then decided to leave, but not before she took down the details of the other residents who were also in the gym at the time.

She then informed her supervisor about what happened, who then raised it up in a WhatsApp chat group which includes the condo management.

Pauline also reported the incident to the police, who told her to go for a medical check-up.

She was given a two-day medical leave by a polyclinic doctor.

Body-worn camera

According to Pauline, she has heard through her supervisor that questions were raised as to whether she was equipped with a body-worn camera at the time of the incident.

Pauline did not have it with her then, and conceded that body-worn camera footage in such an incident is "necessary".

However, she opined that there were three eyewitnesses who saw what happened in the gym that morning.

Furthermore, Pauline pointed out the gym's footwear policy is clearly stated; there is a notice at the gym informing users that they must wear "fully enclosed footwear".

Incident has made doing job difficult

The incident has caused Pauline to doubt if she can perform her job as security officer.

"What if this same incident happen again to me?" she said, adding that she worries about about the next time she has to enforce rules or guidelines.

Her contract with her current employer is ending however, and she will start at a new firm soon.

Condo management says abuse not condoned

Responding to queries from Mothership, Ocean IFM, which is the facilities management agency overseeing The Luxurie, said that it is aware of the incident and has reviewed the available CCTV footage.

It has provided the relevant footage to the police to assist with the investigation.

Ocean IFM also said, "We note that the security officer's body-worn camera was not activated at the material time. As such, we are not in a position to independently verify the full verbal exchange between the parties beyond what can be observed from the available footage."

The agency added that it takes the safety and well-being of frontline service personnel seriously and do not condone any form of abuse, harassment or inappropriate conduct towards such personnel.

Ocean IFM declined to comment further on the circumstances of the incident, explaining that the matter remains under police investigation.

62-year-old assisting police with investigations

Separately, the Singapore Police Force told Mothership that they received a call for assistance at 13 Compassvale Road.

A 62-year-old woman is assisting with investigations for voluntarily causing hurt to a security officer.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Mothership has reached out to the Union of Security Employees for comment.