Singapore legislation
Section 119
Section 119
Procedure where seizable offence suspected
(1)
If from information received or otherwise a police officer has reason to suspect the commission of a seizable offence he shall forthwith proceed in person or shall depute one of his subordinate officers to proceed to the spot to investigate the facts and circumstances of the case and to take such measures as may be necessary for the discovery and, where not inexpedient, arrest of the offender and shall report the same to the Public Prosecutor:Provided that —
where any information as to the commission of any such offence is given against any person by name and the case is not of a serious nature the police officer receiving the information need not proceed in person or depute a subordinate officer to make an investigation on the spot;
if it appears to the police officer receiving the information that there is no sufficient ground for proceeding or further proceeding in the matter, he shall not do so.
(2)
In each of the cases mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the proviso to subsection (1) the police officer receiving the information shall state in his report his reason for not fully complying with subsection (1).
(3)
Where a police officer not below the rank of inspector exercises the power of deputation given by subsection (1) the subordinate officer so deputed shall not be entitled to use any of the powers given by sections 120, 121, 125 and 126:Provided that the Commissioner of Police with the written approval of the Attorney-General may authorise by name and in writing any police officer below the rank of inspector to use in seizable cases all or any of the powers referred to in this Chapter in such circumstances as may be stated in the written authority. [118