A former Singapore police officer has been sentenced to six years and six months in jail after being found guilty of accepting bribes and interfering with investigations. In addition to his prison term, he was ordered to pay a financial penalty of S$32,500 (US$24,600).
Corruption and Charges
Poo Tze Chiang, previously a Station Inspector, faced initial charges in 2022, including seven counts of corruption and three counts related to obstructing justice. In January 2024, he was further charged with four additional counts of corruption, including one amalgamated charge, along with an extra charge of cheating.
Investigations revealed that Poo received a total of S$32,500 in cash and loans from two individuals, Wang Huate and Cordell Chan Yuen Kwang, in exchange for protecting them from police actions. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) reported that Poo assisted the duo in avoiding law enforcement intervention on multiple occasions.
Shielding Criminals from Justice
The case traces back to September 2019, when Wang was arrested following a brawl between rival gangs at a club along Orchard Road. Shortly after, Chan, fearing police action against them, sought help from an individual named Ng Chuan Seng. Ng introduced them to Poo at a karaoke lounge on Geylang Road and suggested they offer a monetary gift in exchange for Poo’s assistance. During the meeting, Wang and Chan handed Poo a red packet containing S$2,000.
In February 2020, Wang, who had been remanded for further police investigations, again sought Poo’s assistance upon his release. Poo demanded S$20,000, which was delivered in cash at a carpark in Hillview Rise.
On August 5, 2020, Poo informed Chan that Wang would be detained if he reported for bail that day. Acting on this tip-off, Wang evaded detention. Later, the trio met at a void deck in Bukit Batok, where they encountered two patrolling police officers. Poo used his warrant card to falsely claim he was conducting an operation, preventing the officers from carrying out a spot check.
That same month, Chan, realizing the police were closing in on him, sought further assistance from Poo. Poo initially requested S$10,000, but Chan negotiated a lower sum and paid S$7,000 in installments between August and September 2020. Additionally, at Poo’s request, Chan provided loans totaling S$3,500 between November 2019 and September 2020 in exchange for help with ongoing police investigations.
Evading Law Enforcement
In November 2020, Poo further aided Chan in avoiding police detection. While driving Chan back to his car after a meal, Poo noticed an unmarked police vehicle from the Secret Societies Branch at the carpark. Aware that Chan was wanted by authorities, Poo warned him to leave the area and wait at a nearby coffee shop. He later updated Chan that officers were still around, prompting Chan to take a taxi home instead of returning to his vehicle. CPIB highlighted that if Chan had been seen at the carpark, he would have been detained.
Additional Charges and Verdict
Following his initial charges in 2022, Poo faced further corruption and cheating allegations involving a separate individual, Chen Guangyun. This aspect of the case remains ongoing in court.
In September 2023, Ng Chuan Seng, the karaoke lounge owner who facilitated the bribery, was sentenced to five weeks in jail for his involvement.
Strict Enforcement of Integrity
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) emphasized that officers are expected to uphold high ethical standards and legal compliance. The force takes serious action against any officer who violates the law, including criminal prosecution and internal disciplinary measures. Poo’s offenses were identified through SPF’s internal checks, leading to his removal from frontline duties and a referral to CPIB for further investigation.
Under Singapore law, individuals convicted of corruption can face fines up to S$100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. Those guilty of obstructing justice may be sentenced to a maximum of seven years in prison, fined, or both.
