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In 2021, emergency responders from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) encountered 29 reported verbal and/or physical harassment cases in the course of their duties – the highest in the last six years. With an increase of 12 reported harassment cases from 2020 to 2021, SCDF is looking at a total of 140 such cases with an average of about 23 cases per year from 2016 to 2021.
Harassment Cases in Recent Years
2. The table below highlights five recent harassment cases as experienced by SCDF frontline officers during their life saving mission.
S/No | Case Details | Outcome |
1 | On 21 July 2020, a patient became aggressive when the ambulance crew was about to commence further medical assessment on him. The patient not only challenged a crew member to a fight but also unzipped his pants to reveal his genital, and even peed on the crew member’s right boot. | 12 months and 3 weeks imprisonment. |
2 | On 3 September 2020, a patient suddenly became aggressive and threw punches at a female ambulance crew. The latter was hit on her chest by one of the punches. The patient had also attempted to spit at her. | 8 months imprisonment. |
| 3 | On 25 April 2021, a patient hurled vulgarity at an ambulance crew member and pointed his middle finger at another. | 1 month and 3 days imprisonment. |
| 4 | On 25 May 2021, a patient first shouted at the ambulance crew and subsequently kicked a crew member’s lower abdomen, kicked a second crew member’s leg, and scratched a third crew member’s arm. | 5 months and 1 week imprisonment. |
| 5 | On 2 October 2021, an uncooperative patient suddenly became hostile, hurled vulgarities at the ambulance crew and even punched a crew member’s face. | 4 months, 2 weeks and 3 days imprisonment. |
“By and large, members of the public deeply appreciate what our emergency responders do daily. Unfortunately, there is a minority who will verbally or even physically harass them.
Our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) officers always have the public’s interest and safety at heart but these unacceptable behaviors by some can be a hindrance to the patients’ pre-hospital care management and may adversely affect the much-needed medical intervention for the patients.
While the SCDF EMS remain steadfast and committed to provide the best possible care for our patients, any form of harassment of our emergency responders will not be tolerated and we will not hesitate to report it to the police.
Our emergency responders deserve to be working in a safe environment where they can carry out their duties to the best they could in protecting and saving lives and property.”
Assistant Commissioner Yong Meng Wah
Director Emergency Medical Services
Singapore Civil Defence Force