2) Lodge a police report

2) Lodge a police report – How to go about this?

You should provide as much information as you can when making a report. If you’re planning to make a report in-person, you can bring notes of what happened so that you can refer to these if you get nervous.

a. Report Online Making a police report online can help you avoid waiting around at a Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC). Instead, an officer will contact you once they are available.

To make an online report, use the police report e-Service: (https://eservices.police.gov.sg/content/policehubhome/homepage/police-report.html) • Log in with your SingPass and enter a valid email address to make your report. Your email address should be one that you check frequently and that is accessible only to you. • After submitting your report, you will receive an email confirmation at the email address you entered. The email will indicate your report number, the Police Division, and the police officer in charge of your report. • You should be contacted by the police officer in charge of your report about the status of your case and will likely be asked to give a statement.

If you don’t receive a follow up, you can contact: • The police officer in charge of your report. Their contact number will be in the email confirmation sent to you. • The police division in charge of your report: Ang Mo Kio Division - 6218 1343 Bedok Division - 6244 7200 Central Division - 6557 5076 Clementi Division - 6872 7683 Jurong Division - 6316 7508 Tanglin Division - 6391 4762 Woodlands Division - 6364 7559 • If you don’t know the police division or police officer in charge of your report, you can contact the SPF Feedback Unit at 1800-358-0000.

b. Report in person

Go to a convenient neighbourhood police centre. When you arrive, you might have to wait to see an officer. Once it’s your turn, the officer will take your statement.

You can ask a trusted person to accompany you for emotional support. AWARE’s Sexual Assault Care Centre also offers a Befriender service for those who identify as a woman or who are making a police report for sexual harassment/assault. A Befriender is someone who is trained and familiar with police processes.

You can ask for a female officer to take your statement. Keep in mind this might mean waiting longer until a female officer is available, and female and male officers may not differ in how they handle your case as all officers receive similar training.

c. When to call 999?

You should only call the ‘999’ police emergency line when there is an urgent need for police assistance. This is when: • A crime is in progress. • Someone suspected of committing a crime is close by, or you know where the person is. • A further crime might be committed. • Someone is seriously injured or is in danger. • When you observe suspicious characters, incidents or suspicious parcels left at public areas.

SMS 71999 if it is NOT SAFE to call ‘999’ or when you cannot speak. To report abuse or violence, contact the National Anti-Violence Helpline at 1800-777-0000.

After your statement has been taken, the police will decide whether an offence has likely been committed, and whether to begin an investigation.

If the police choose to investigate: • You will be assigned an Investigating Officer (IO) who will oversee your case and be your main point of contact. You can call or email them for updates on how your case is progressing. • The police will collect the evidence they deem necessary. • There’s no fixed procedure for how an investigation proceeds, but it may include asking you to take a polygraph (‘lie detector’) test. Additionally, in the course of the investigation, the police may seize your phone or other property if necessary (for instance, to duplicate data for evidence). • After investigating, the police will either close the case, decide to give a warning to the suspected perpetrator, or will recommend that the Attorney General Chambers (AGC – Singapore’ public prosecutors) charge the accused person in court.

If the police choose NOT to investigate, they may advise you to file a Magistrate’s Complaint: • If you have made a police report for a crime but your case is not being pursued, you can choose to file a Magistrate’s Complaint to take criminal legal action. • Depending on the court’s decision, a Magistrate’s Complaint may lead to mediation, further investigations, private prosecution or other outcomes. The court may also decide to close the complaint. • Note: • You have to be 21 years old or older to file a Magistrate’s Complaint. If you are younger than 21, your parent or guardian will have to file on your behalf. • A Magistrate’s Complaint will cost at least $20 (this is the filing fee). • Not all cases qualify for a Magistrate’s Complaint. You can take a PreFiling Assessment to determine whether your case is suitable for filing. The assessment will also help you determine whether you can achieve your desired outcome through this process.