In hospitals, security staff get abused too

At the end of October, two Certis officers became victims of an alleged attack when they tried to stop a surly man from leaving the emergency department of Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

- Judith Tan

"The man was becoming increasingly agitated and started hurling vulgarities at the officers and threatening them," security supervisor Sammy Lee, 55, told The Straits Times. He was watching the drama unfold from his seat at the hospital command centre.

Mr Lee, who started working with Certis Group 1/2 years ago, sent back-up officers to help the officers and informed the police.

"By then, the thickly built man was already quite violent, attacking both officers. He punched one of them in the face, causing a cut to his lip, and his spectacles broke in two. The other officer was kicked between his legs," he said.

"Some of the hospital staff, even the nurses, jumped into the fray to try to pin him down. That was when back-up and the police arrived. He was restrained." Mr Lee is among the 350 Certis officers deployed at the nearly 40 healthcare institutions and facilities in Singapore to ensure the safety and security of patients, healthcare staff and visitors.

They stand alongside other front-line service personnel, supporting healthcare staff in difficult situations, especially in environments where emotions run high.