Should the police have unlimited powers when dealing with crime? (2002 P1 Q7)

1. This will lead to corruption within the ranks of the police force. Police may be more concerned about their own benefits rather than welfare of citizens eg. bribery in Malaysia and yet no one can do anything because of their unlimited power

2. Oppression may also occur when the police become too authoritharian. eg. The KGB, secret police of the former soviet union, eliminated "traitors to the state" and terrorized many civilians on the pretext of national security interrogations

3. In places where street crime and riots are rife, the police need the power to enforce laws and maintain order within country eg. street riots, arson and protests by Red Shirts in Bangkok against the Abhisit administration

3.1. By definition, the policing of crime has always had one main aim - To give the citizens of a country a greater sense of security while going about their daily activities, undisrupted.

4. When it comes to dealing with gangsters/ terrorists - during the 1970s/1980s, there was a lot of triads but there was no evidences of their crimes. If the police wasn't allowed to carry out detention without trial for these gangsters, they would be let free and today's Singapore would not be as safe.

4.1. eg. Internal Security Act of Singapore

5. Introduction

6. "YES"

7. Conclusion

8. "NO"