The complainant (COM) went to a police station in District A to make a report of theft of her mobile phone which took place in District B. COM alleged that Detective Senior Police Constable X (DSPC X) told her that it was no use to report the case there and persuaded her to report the case directly to the police station in District B. Instead of acting upon DSPC X’s advice, the complainant lodged an allegation of ‘Neglect of Duty’ against DSPC X after leaving the police station.

DSPC X, who denied the allegation, admitted having explained the reporting procedures to the complainant by advising her that the case would be transferred to District B for follow-up enquiry, and COM then left without giving her statement. CAPO noted that it was the duty of the Duty Officer, or in his absence, the Assistant Duty Officer, to assess each individual report for referral to the Divisional Crime Unit. DSPC X should not have made a pre-judgment on the classification of COM’s report. Moreover, CAPO opined that DSPC X might have over-emphasized the referral of the case, which led to the misinterpretation by COM that her report was rejected and her departure without making a report. However, considering that there was no independent witness or other corroboration to prove what actually transpired in the dialogue between COM and DSPC X at the material time, the allegation of ‘Neglect of Duty’ was classified as ‘Not Fully Substantiated’.