2 teens arrested for impersonating police officers

Two teenagers have been arrested for impersonating police officers and using aggressive tactics to get donations from the public, the police said yesterday.

The duo, aged 17 and 18, were arrested on Sunday by officers from the Ang Mo Kio Division.

Last Thursday, the police received a report of a group of young men claiming to be police officers and seeking donations from the public.

If found guilty of impersonating a public servant, the teenagers could be jailed for up to two years and fined.

A person convicted of soliciting donations without a valid licence can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed for up to two years.

The police reminded the public to be vigilant and wary of people who may impersonate police officers.

When in doubt, ask for the officer's warrant card to verify his identity before complying with any instructions he may give.

A genuine warrant card will have identification features such as the police crest, photograph of the officer, his name and NRIC number. When tilted at an angle, the holographic word "Police" will appear below the officer's photo.

If unsure of a police officer's credentials, call 999 for assistance.

Police investigations against the teenage duo are ongoing.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 11, 2017, with the headline 2 teens arrested for impersonating police officers. Subscribe