Singapore legislation
Clause 12
Clause 12
Powers of search and seizure
(1)
Without prejudice to sections 9, 10 and 11 and any other written law, a police officer not below the rank of sergeant may, without warrant —
do one or more of the following if the police officer reasonably suspects that an offence under section 4, 8 or 13(11) has been, or is being or likely to be, committed:
enter and search any premises or place that is within a special zone;
stop, enter, search, remove and retain any vehicle, vessel or aircraft (whether or not it is within a special zone);
stop, detain and search a person in connection with the exercise of any power under sub‑paragraph (i) or (ii);
search any thing in connection with the exercise of any power under sub‑paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii); and
seize a thing in connection with the exercise of a power referred to in paragraph (a)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) that the police officer reasonably believes to be related to an offence under section 4, 8 or 13(11).
(2)
In addition, and without prejudice to sections 9, 10 and 11 and any other written law, a police officer not below the rank of sergeant may, without warrant —
do one or more of the following on a random basis for the detection of an offence under section 4, 8 or 13(11) that he reasonably suspects has been, or is being or likely to be, committed:
stop, enter, search, remove and retain any vehicle, vessel or aircraft (whether or not it is within a special zone);
stop, detain and search a person in connection with the exercise of any power under sub‑paragraph (i);
search any thing in connection with the exercise of any power under sub‑paragraph (i) or (ii); and
seize a thing in connection with the exercise of a power referred to in paragraph (a)(i), (ii) or (iii) that the police officer reasonably believes to be related to an offence under section 4, 8 or 13(11).
(3)
A woman may be searched under this section only by a woman police officer not below the rank of sergeant and with strict regard to decency.
(4)
A police officer not below the rank of sergeant who seizes a container that he reasonably believes contains alcohol may immediately empty the container if opened or destroy the container (including its contents) if it is unopened; but if the container is not so emptied or destroyed, the police officer must ensure that it is taken to a police station outside of any special zone to be destroyed or to be returned at that police station to the person from whom the container was seized.
(5)
A police officer not below the rank of sergeant may use any reasonable force or assistance in acting under this section.
(6)
Any person who, without reasonable excuse, refuses to give access to, or obstructs, hinders or delays, a police officer in the exercise of any power under subsection (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.
(7)
The fact that no alcohol or no prohibited item is found after a search under this section does not affect the power of a police officer to exercise powers under section 11 in relation to the individual searched.