Singapore legislation
Section 31
Section 31
Power to inspect, search, etc.
(1)
An inspecting officer has power to do all or any of the following:
enter and inspect, at any reasonable time, any premises if the inspecting officer has reasonable grounds to believe that any individual is acting as a tourist guide therein;
enter and search, at any reasonable time, any premises if the inspecting officer has reasonable grounds to believe that any individual is committing or has committed therein the offence under section 21(3) of acting as a tourist guide without a valid licence, and take possession or make copies of any thing found therein which the inspecting officer reasonably believes to be connected to the commission of the offence;
subject to subsections (3) and (4), search any individual found within any premises mentioned in paragraph (b) whom the inspecting officer reasonably believes to have committed an offence under Part 3A, and take possession or make copies of any thing found on that individual which the inspecting officer reasonably believes to be connected to the commission of the offence;
take such photographs, or audio or video recordings, as the inspecting officer thinks necessary of any premises mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) (including anything therein), or of any individual whom the inspecting officer reasonably believes to be acquainted with the facts or circumstances of any alleged or suspected contravention of any provision of Part 3A.
(2)
The owner, occupier or operator of any premises mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) must provide to an inspecting officer such assistance, cooperation or means required by the inspecting officer as is necessary for his or her entry into, and inspection or search of, the premises under subsection (1)(a) or (b).
(3)
A woman must not be searched under subsection (1)(c) except by another woman with strict regard to decency.
(4)
The power to take possession of any thing found on a person searched under subsection (1)(c) does not include necessary wearing apparel found on him or her.
(5)
Any thing taken possession of by an inspecting officer under subsection (1)(b) or (c) or under section 33(6) —
must be placed in safe custody by the inspecting officer; and
unless ordered otherwise by a court, may be retained by the inspecting officer until the completion of any proceedings (including proceedings on appeal) in which it may be evidence.
(6)
An inspecting officer may detain a person mentioned in subsection (1)(c) until the person and the premises in which the person is found have been searched.[19L