Owner of ‘Polite Car’ given stern warning by police, told to remove decal from vehicle
The owner of the “Polite Car” – which was easily mistaken for a police patrol vehicle from a distance – has removed most of the livery on it after being advised by the police to do so.
The police, in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, have given the 32-year-old man a stern warning on July 2 under the Police Force Act 2004.
Under the Police Force Act 2004, it is an offence for a person who is not a police officer to wear or possess any police uniform, or to use any police insignia, knowing that any member of the public may believe that he or she is a police officer.
If found guilty, the person can be jailed for up to six months, or fined up to $2,500, or both.
The Straits Times reported on June 18 that a white multi-purpose vehicle had decals with the word “polite” instead of “police”. Anyone who scans the QR code printed on the side of the car will be taken to the website of an ice-cream shop belonging to the car owner.