Singapore — About eight police officers were spotted pinning down a man at a petrol station after the suspect failed a breathalyser test and hurled vulgarities at the officers.
A video posted recently by Facebook page Beh Chia Lor – Singapore Road has gone viral, sparking mixed reactions from members of the online community.
Eight to 10 police officers were seen pinning down a suspect at a petrol station, the page noted.
It attached a video of the incident, reported having happened at 141 Bukit Timah Road on Tuesday (Nov 2) at around 7:26 am.
At least seven police officers were seen trying to restrain the man, 31, who purportedly reeked of alcohol.
He had failed the breathalyser test and was told by the officers that he would be arrested for drink driving.
“However, during the arrest, the man allegedly shouted vulgarities at the officers, challenged the officers to a fight and resisted arrest. Necessary force was used to restrain him,” added the police in a Straits Times report.
The police confirmed having arrested the man for suspected drink driving, using abusive language against a public servant, using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty, and providing false information to a public servant.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Although the video initially garnered criticisms by netizens regarding the number of officers it required to restrain the man, many came to the defence of the police.
“One or five officers, making an arrest? Does it make a difference to all who are unaware of the effort and rules our officers need to keep to, preventing unnecessary injuries to both officers and offender, control the use of proper equipment, force to bring down the offender, there are so many things going on,” explained Facebook user Herbert Wee.
“At the end of the day, the results prove everything that they are doing is at a balance. Let’s show some appreciation to people performing such unwanted tasks and have to face all those criticism for doing their job as being told to.”
“Those who think it’s easy to pin down a person who is struggling, perhaps next time do help out if you come across one. Man should be more supportive of their own man who is protecting them isn’t it?” added Facebook user Maddy Tan. /TISG
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