A former security officer, Durendran Vicknesh Venkatraman, was recently fined S$1,800 after a series of negligent actions led to a bomb scare at Sing Industrial Complex. The incident occurred on 5 January 2024 when Durendran left his post during a security exercise, leaving behind a dummy bomb.
Details of the Incident
Durendran, who was employed part-time with One Imperial Security, started his shift at 8pm on 4 January. However, at around 11.20pm, he left his guardhouse duties to meet friends for drinks at Oxley Tower, more than 7km away.
- His absence for over five hours rendered him unable to respond to any emergencies.
- Two freelance security consultants were on-site to carry out a red-teaming exercise, a simulated attack intended to test security measures.
- They placed a fake improvised explosive device (IED) near the guardhouse but forgot to retrieve it when leaving.
Legal Proceedings
In the court session, Durendran pleaded guilty to being absent without valid reason and to making false entries in his duty logbook. District Judge Ow Yong Tuck Leong noted the severity of his actions, stating there was no reasonable excuse for his absence and that he had acknowledged the request to dispose of the fake bomb.
The case led to a significant disruption at the complex, with over 100 people either evacuated or barred from entering during the 90-minute investigation that followed the discovery of the dummy bomb.
Consequences and Wider Implications
During sentencing, Deputy Public Prosecutor Dan Pan highlighted the public importance of security personnel’s conduct, urging for a deterrent punishment. He pointed out that while the external consultants had primary responsibility for the dummy bomb, Durendran’s negligence also contributed significantly to the scare.
His defence cited health issues, arguing against a harsher sentence, yet the prosecution insisted that such behaviour from security officers could not be tolerated. The complexities of maintaining security and trust in such roles underline the significance of professional conduct in safeguarding public spaces.
Durendran’s actions serve as a reminder of the critical nature of vigilance required in security roles, where lapses can have far-reaching implications.