In force2020 Revised Edition

Contents

Public Order and Safety (Special Powers) Act 2018 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 3 · Special Authorisations

12. Contents of special authorisation

Feedback & support

(1)

A special authorisation must —

(a)

describe the general nature of the serious incident or threatened serious incident to which the authorisation applies;

(b)

specify the period or periods during which the authorisation has effect; (c)specify which of the special powers may be exercised under the authorisation, but subject to section 15(4); and

(d)

authorise the exercise of the special powers specified under paragraph (c) in relation to all or any of the following:

(i)

a particular individual or person named or described in the authorisation (called in this Act a target person of the special authorisation); (ii)a particular vehicle, or a vehicle of a particular kind, described in the authorisation (called in this Act a target vehicle of the special authorisation);

(iii)

a particular area described in the authorisation (called in this Act a target area of the special authorisation).

(2)

A special authorisation granted to a police officer may also confer power on the police officer to direct another police officer to exercise the special powers specified in the special authorisation under subsection (1)(c).

Terms defined in this Act

police officer
Defined · s 2
“police officer” includes —(a)a member of the Special Constabulary established under the Police Force Act 2004; and(b)an auxiliary police officer appointed as such under Part 9 of the Police Force Act 2004;
Open s 2
serious incident
Defined · s 3
“serious incident” means — (a)the carrying out of an act constituting —(i)a terrorist act within the meaning given by section 2(2) and (3) of the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act 2002 affecting persons or property situated in Singapore;(ii)a terrorist bombing offence within the meaning given by section 2 of the Terrorism (Suppression of Bombings) Act 2007 committed in Singapore;(iii)a nuclear terrorism offence within the meaning given by section 2 of the Terrorism (Suppression of Misuse of Radioactive Material) Act 2017 committed in Singapore;(iv)an abetment of or a conspiracy to commit an act or offence specified in sub‑paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii); or(v)an attempt to commit an act or offence specified in sub‑paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii); (b)the carrying out of an act of serious violence affecting the public; or(c)the carrying out of an act causing large‑scale public disorder.Illustrations(a)An explosion of a bomb in a shopping area during business hours. The bomber is evading authorities in Singapore, and a manhunt is mounted to capture the bomber.(b)The threat of an unlawful taking control of a rapid transit system by a forcible intrusion on board a train or at a train station or depot that puts the safety of the train, or any passengers or crew on board or outside the train, at risk.(c)Multiple coordinated attacks by gunmen shooting at a concert hall or cinema during a performance attended by a large audience and at other crowded locations.(d)A sit‑down demonstration for a cause attracts a large group of sympathisers who voluntarily join the sit‑in. For over a week, the group grows and the demonstrators start to occupy the publicly accessible paths and other open spaces in the central business district. Their presence starts to impede the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and interfere with normal trade or business activities in the area.(e)A group protesting in the street grows in size. The protestors start to destroy nearby vehicles and throw projectiles.
Open s 3
special authorisation
Defined · s 2
“special authorisation” means an authorisation that is granted under section 11 and in effect;
Open s 2
target area
Defined · s 2
“target area” has the meaning given by section 5(1)(c);
Open s 2
target person
Defined · s 2
“target person” has the meaning given by section 5(1)(a) and (2);
Open s 2
target vehicle
Defined · s 2
“target vehicle” has the meaning given by section 5(1)(b) and (3);
Open s 2
vehicle
Defined · s 2
“vehicle” means any means of transport used on land, whether self‑propelled or not, such as a train, motor car, bicycle or personal mobility device;
Open s 2