22. Arrest, search and detention
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2024. 2 amendments in all.
Where any person —
is reasonably suspected by a registration officer or police officer of the commission of any offence under this Act; or
on demand by a registration officer or a police officer —
does not give his or her name and address;
gives a name or address which the officer has reason to believe is false; or
gives as his or her address a place outside Singapore,that person may be arrested without warrant by the registration officer or police officer.
If a registration officer or a police officer reasonably suspects that any evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act is likely to be found on any premises, or in any vehicle, train, vessel or aircraft, or on any person, the officer may, without warrant and with any assistance that the officer thinks necessary —
registration officer
“registration officer”, in relation to any provision of this Act, means —(a)the Commissioner;(b)the Deputy Commissioner of National Registration;(c)an Assistant Commissioner of National Registration; or(d)a person appointed as a registration officer under section 3(4) for the purposes of that provision.
enter and search the premises;
stop, board and search the vehicle, train, vessel or aircraft (whether in a public or private place); or
stop and search the person (whether in a public or private place),as the case may be.
A registration officer or a police officer exercising any power under subsection (2) may, if the circumstances so warrant, with any assistance that the officer thinks necessary —
police officer
“police officer” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Police Force Act 2004;
break open any door, window, lock, fastener, compartment, box, container or other thing; or
remove by force any obstruction to the exercise of that power.
A registration officer or a police officer carrying out a search under subsection (2) may take possession or make copies of any document found during the search that the officer reasonably believes to be connected to the commission of an offence under this Act.
document
“document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded, whether in electronic or other form;
A woman must not be searched under this section except by a woman.[16
Any person arrested under subsection (1) may be detained at —
a lock-up appointed as a place of confinement under section 4(1) of the Prisons Act 1933; or
an immigration depot designated under the Immigration Act 1959.