Police to have more powers to apprehend people with mental disorders, after changes to law passed

The amendments are"scoped within a very specific circumstance of a psychiatric emergency and only where there is a patent risk of suicide", says an NMP who is a psychiatrist.New: You can now listen to articles.SINGAPORE: The police will have more powers to apprehend people with mental disorders who are deemed a safety risk to themselves or others, after amendments to the law were passed in parliament on Tuesday .

The High Court had, in a previous ruling, determined that apprehensions are distinct from arrests under the Criminal Procedure Code, said Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo in parliament. Another change amends the Police Force Act to make clear that relevant powers, such as those of search and seizure, are available to the police when making apprehensions, whether under the MHCTA or any other Acts.

Dr Syed also called for police officers to undergo structured training in the apprehension of attempted suicide cases, coupled with input from care professionals and specialists in the field. Acknowledging the role of the Police Psychological Services Department, Mr Chia asked what more can be done for officers’ mental well-being.

“While I recognise the importance of this measure in protecting the public, it is essential to consider the potential drawbacks. Police are not mental health professionals, and their interactions with individuals experiencing mental health crises can be complex and challenging,” Associate Professor Razwana said.

MP He Ting Ru also brought up overseas examples of professionals working with the police to handle such cases. MP Yip Hon Weng said: “Clear guidelines are critical to prevent potential power abuses and ensure effective collaboration with mental health professionals. Training for the police is regularly updated and conducted by qualified professionals, she added. For example, officers undergo a mental health awareness course designed by the Agency for Integrated Care, which helps the officers identify and respond to people observed with indications of mental health conditions.

Source: Law Daily Report (lawdailyreport.net)

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