SINGAPORE — The police takes a “very serious view” of all complaints made by accused persons against officers, and will investigate every complaint thoroughly, said Deputy Commissioner of Police T Raja Kumar today (Dec 18).

“If criminal charges are disclosed, the police will not hesitate to take criminal action against the officer concerned,” said Mr Raja Kumar, speaking at a press conference on the sale and consumption of alcohol in Little India. He was responding to media queries on due process and allegations of assault while in police custody.

Some of the workers remanded on charges of rioting in Little India had complained of police assault in a place where there were no cameras.

However, Mr Raja Kumar noted, if the allegations are found to be false, appropriate action, in accordance with the law, will be taken.

On the issue of due process, the deputy police commissioner said Singapore has “laws in order to repatriate persons who are assessed to have posed a threat to our safety and security”.

“These 53 persons by their actions, by what they have done, satisfy the conditions. So, the assessment has been made and the removal order has been given for them to be repatriated back to their countries. This is provided for in the law,” he said.

Earlier today, Workfair Singapore said it was deeply dismayed by the allegations of police assault and called for investigation into the allgations.