SCDF 'will leave no stone unturned' in video probe
Trashing of dorm, swearing and smoking an 'isolated incident', it says
By Amelia Teng, The Straits Times, 29 Apr 2015
Trashing of dorm, swearing and smoking an 'isolated incident', it says
By Amelia Teng, The Straits Times, 29 Apr 2015
THE Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has assured the public it will "leave no stone unturned" in investigating two videos circulating online that show its personnel trashing a dorm, swearing and smoking.
We take note of the second video being circulated online today which depicted unruly behaviour of some SCDF personnel in...
Posted by Singapore Civil Defence Force on Monday, April 27, 2015
In a one-minute clip uploaded to Facebook on Monday afternoon, the men can be seen in a dorm surrounded by upturned bed frames and mattresses, with belongings strewn all over the floor.
A second clip uploaded yesterday showed the personnel, wearing uniforms that suggest they are sergeants, cheering and filming themselves at the Civil Defence Academy in Jalan Bahar as a man smears black liquid, believed to be shoe polish, on the floor.
A second clip uploaded yesterday showed the personnel, wearing uniforms that suggest they are sergeants, cheering and filming themselves at the Civil Defence Academy in Jalan Bahar as a man smears black liquid, believed to be shoe polish, on the floor.
Many netizens urged the SCDF to punish the men involved, saying their actions reflected poorly on the force.
Colonel Abdul Razak, director of the SCDF's public affairs department, said the force is "as perturbed as the online viewers or members of the public on the matter".
He added: "Let me stress that this is an isolated incident of this nature. It does not reflect the culture, the discipline, the decorum and conduct of SCDF officers and men, be it our front-line NSFs (full-time national servicemen) and regulars, or even our operationally ready NSmen.
"Let me assure you that we take this matter very seriously, and will leave no stone unturned and will update you on the outcome."
At the start of the video, the person filming narrates: "It's the last day man, look at the dorm. It's a ruckus, it's a ruckus - the dorm is in a ruckus man."Some personnel can be seen smoking in the dormitory, while others throw items onto a pile of broken bed frames, cupboards, fans, mattresses and chairs in a corner of the room.
One man pours liquid from a drink packet onto the floor, before flinging it away.
The video attracted more than 45,000 views before it was taken down on Monday night, though copies of it are still circulating online.
Meanwhile, a second minute-long video was uploaded by Facebook group Rilek1Corner yesterday. In it, men can be heard cheering and yelling "Pop" - short for Passing Out Parade - which signals that trainees have completed their basic military training, basic police training or basic rescue training. The clip also shows another three personnel using their smartphones to film the surroundings.
Another man smears black liquid, believed to be shoe polish, on the floor.
Property agent Jeffrey Ho, 54, was among members of the public outraged by the videos.
He said: "Maybe they were very happy or drunk, but they're not supposed to be damaging property and smoking. These are punishable offences, so they should know the consequences.
"Behaviour is very important especially when one is wearing a uniform, yet they didn't show any respect for the civil defence or the uniform. It leaves a bad impression on the public."
Lecturer Christine Keung, 55, said: "SCDF needs to follow up and conduct disciplinary action on all the officers involved.
"I cannot believe our uniformed group officers are behaving this way."
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is investigating a video posted on Facebook showing a "wrecked" SCDF dormitory. http://str.sg/3WL
Posted by The Straits Times on Monday, April 27, 2015