A 26-year-old Traffic Police officer, Shivasuria Maniam Kesaval, found himself in legal trouble as he faced charges on December 20 for the illegal sharing of information related to a police report, according to The Straits Times.
The charges also include allegations of intending to obtain information illegally from various Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) systems, comprising one offence under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and four under the Computer Misuse Act.
The Charges and Investigations
Alleged Information Sharing
Court documents reveal that Shivasuria, in his capacity as a Traffic Police investigation officer, allegedly shared the “incident creation time” of a police report with Brayden Ong Ying Shan on either July 14 or 15, 2022, violating protocols surrounding sensitive information.
Intention to Obtain Information Illegally
The charges extend to Shivasuria’s alleged attempts to illegally obtain data from various MHA systems. The searches conducted included queries related to “Brayden,” “Brayden and licensed,” and involved the use of police report numbers, identity cards, mobile phone numbers, and car plate numbers.
Swift Police Response
Upon discovering Shivasuria’s involvement in the alleged offences, the Singapore Police Force initiated swift investigations. The officer, a sergeant, has been interdicted (suspended) since August 31, 2022, as confirmed by a police spokeswoman.
Legal Ramifications and Response
The police spokeswoman emphasized that officers are expected to uphold the law and maintain the highest standards of conduct and integrity. Violations result in severe consequences, including legal charges, as part of maintaining accountability.
According to court records, Shivasuria indicated on December 20 that he intends to contest the charges brought against him. He was released on $10,000 bail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for January.
Potential Penalties
For each charge under the Computer Misuse Act, Shivasuria faces potential fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to two years for a first-time offender. Repeat offenders may incur fines up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
Under the OSA, obtaining information owing to a government position and communicating it to an unauthorized person can result in fines up to $2,000 and imprisonment for up to two years in a district court.