Certis officer: Manhunt conducted after he failed to return gun, he’s arrested 2.5 hours later
A manhunt was reportedly launched after an auxiliary police officer failed to return his service revolver, ammunition and baton upon finishing his duty.
The officer, who was employed by security company Certis, was eventually arrested at Victoria Street still in possession of the items.
Source 8world on YouTube
He will be charged in court for unlawful carrying of a firearm.
Certis officer failed to return gun after shift on 9 May
The arrest of the Certis officer was revealed by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Friday (10 May).
In a press briefing with the media including The Straits Times (ST), SPF said he is a 27-year-old Singaporean with the rank of sergeant.
Source: 8world on YouTube
He started his shift at Changi Airport at 7.45am on Thursday (9 May).
After his shift ended at 7.45pm, he was supposed to return his equipment by 8.30pm.
However, he did not do so, and an alert was issued at 8.35pm. A police report was lodged at 9.50pm.
He was carrying fully loaded gun & bullets
According to CCTV footage, the Certis officer left the airport in civilian clothes.
He was carrying:
- a fully loaded Taurus revolver with five bullets in it
- a speed loader with another five bullets
- a baton in a pouch
More than 100 police officers, including those from the Criminal Investigation Department and Special Operations Command, were activated to locate him.
Certis officer arrested with gun in his possession
The Certis officer was finally seen walking in a shopping mall on Victoria Street after midnight.
He was arrested without a struggle within 2.5 hours of the police report being lodged, SPF said.
The items were found with him, inside a pouch.
He will be charged with unlawful carrying of a firearm
The Certis officer will be charged with unlawful carrying of a firearm on Saturday (11 May), SPF said in a press release.
If convicted, he faces between five and 14 years’ jail and a minimum of six strokes of the cane.
He will also be sent for psychiatric assessment, SPF added.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Zhang Weihan was quoted as saying that the officer “demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law and abused the firearms entrusted to him for his duties”, adding:
Police officers had worked tirelessly to secure his swift arrest and ensured that public safety was maintained.
A Certis spokesman told ST that the officer has been suspended and the company will cooperate with investigations.
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Featured image adapted from 8world on YouTube.
