Little India standoff: 4 men to be charged with public nuisance, using abusive language against police
Four men, aged between 32 and 44, will be charged in court on Sept 25 for allegedly causing public nuisance and using abusive language against police officers, said police in a news release on Sept 24.
Police officers were preserving a crime scene around Sam Leong Road in Little India where an early morning brawl on Sept 22 resulted in the death of a 25-year-old man, for which a 22-year-old man was charged with murder. Three other men and two women were charged with rioting armed with a deadly weapon.
At about 5.10am, the four men approached the cordoned-off area and attempted to cross it. They were advised to proceed via an alternative route.
Three of the men then allegedly taunted and used abusive language against the officers, while the fourth man purportedly filmed the interactions with his mobile phone.
The police said despite the men's behaviour, the officers exercised restraint and strived to de-escalate the situation even as they were trying to manage the ongoing murder investigation.
The four men left via the alternative route only after much persuasion.
A video of the incident was posted online and reported by Stomp.
Through follow-up investigations, officers from the Central Police Division established the identities of the four men, and they were arrested on Sept 23.
The offence of using abusive language against a public servant carries an imprisonment term of up to 12 months, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
The offence of causing public nuisance carries an imprisonment term of up to 3 months, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
The police said they do not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour towards police officers carrying out their duties and will not hesitate to take action against those who do.
