Online post alleges man claimed authority to issue fines and make arrests during Singapore hawker dispute

A Reddit post has drawn attention in Singapore after a woman alleged that a man at a hawker centre claimed he had the authority to arrest or fine her during a dispute over seats.

The post, shared on 21 July, alleged that the incident occurred at an otherwise empty hawker centre after the woman placed her belongings on two chairs.

According to the post, the man showed her an identification card and claimed it meant he had the authority to arrest or issue a fine.

The woman questioned the legitimacy of the identification card, writing that she did not know what type of pass it was.

Man allegedly mentioned Police Cantonment Complex

The Reddit user said the man first made a phone call to someone named “Richard”, telling the person that somebody was arguing with him and asking him to come down.

The user said that after she contacted the police, the man made another call to “Richard” and said, “see you at Cantonment”, before leaving the area.

However, it remains unclear whether the man had any official connection to the police or any enforcement agency.

Online reactions

The incident prompted questions over whether the man had misrepresented his authority.

Several commenters alleged that the behaviour could involve impersonating a law enforcement officer, while others questioned why he did not clearly identify himself or provide verifiable credentials.

One commenter wrote that the man should be reported to police:

Some users questioned the identification card shown by the man and whether it granted him any enforcement powers.

The original poster said the man displayed an ID with his photograph and claimed it meant he could arrest or fine her, but she said she could not identify the type of pass shown.

Others said genuine enforcement officers would normally introduce themselves and show proper identification when carrying out their duties.

Some commenters also questioned whether leaving personal belongings on two chairs in an empty hawker centre could reasonably result in arrest or a fine.

The commenter also advised people to remain calm when faced with similar confrontations. 

They suggested questioning claims of authority rather than escalating the situation.

Others expressed concern that the man may have been experiencing personal difficulties.

The comments and allegations made online have not been independently verified. 

No official confirmation

At the time of publication, there had been no confirmation from authorities regarding the man's identity, whether he was an authorised officer, or whether any offence had been committed.

Under Singapore law, impersonating a public servant is a criminal offence. However, whether the incident involved such an offence would depend on the findings of any investigation.

Members of the public who encounter individuals claiming to have official authority are advised to verify their identity and seek assistance from the relevant authorities when necessary.