A 43-year-old Singaporean police officer and a 36-year-old Vietnamese woman were charged in court on 24 September for allegedly misusing a computer owned by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in 2020. According to a press release by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Chan Zhiyao and Tran Thi Tien reportedly accessed information about an undisclosed individual without authorisation.
Background
Between 9 and 10 December 2020, Chan, then a senior investigation officer with SPF, allegedly conducted an unauthorised screening on an individual and retrieved a police report number. On 10 December 2020, he purportedly shared this police report number with Tran, though the method of communication remains unclear. Additionally, Chan is accused of misappropriating S$4,000 on 26 January 2023, which was transferred to him by another woman. Chan allegedly instructed her to lie about the money’s whereabouts during her statement to his colleague. Chan has since been suspended from SPF, and Tran is a Singapore permanent resident.
Charges and penalties
Chan faces multiple charges, including misusing a computer system, criminal breach of trust, and performing an act that could pervert the course of justice. He is also charged under the Official Secrets Act. Tran has been charged under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly receiving information from Chan. Under the Computer Misuse Act, those found guilty can face a fine of up to S$5,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Convictions under the Official Secrets Act can result in up to two years of imprisonment and fines up to S$2,000. If convicted of criminal breach of trust, Chan could be jailed for up to 20 years and fined.
Misappropriation of funds
Court documents reveal that Chan allegedly misappropriated S$4,000 on 26 January 2023. The money was transferred to him by another woman, whose reasons for the transaction were not disclosed. Chan is accused of instructing her to lie about the money’s location during her statement to one of his colleagues a week later. This incident adds another layer of complexity to the charges against him.
Official response and implications
The SPF has confirmed Chan’s suspension following the allegations. This case highlights the severe consequences of misusing official resources and breaching trust within law enforcement agencies. The charges against Chan and Tran underscore the importance of maintaining integrity and accountability in positions of authority. Future developments in this case could lead to stricter regulations and oversight within the SPF to prevent similar incidents.
