SINGAPORE: In a shocking turn of events, a former security officer found himself in hot water after he left a dummy bomb during a shift, leading to a full-scale emergency response that left over 100 people evacuated from a complex in Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2.

Durendran Vicknesh Venkatraman, 46, was fined S$1,800 (approximately US$1,333) after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to his negligence.

Abandoning Post for Drinks

On January 4, while entrusted with the night shift at Sing Industrial Complex, Durendran made the poor decision to abandon his post for over five hours to socialize and drink with friends at a location more than 7 kilometers away, without notifying anyone of his absence.

His actions triggered alarms when he failed to be present for a scheduled red-teaming exercise—a security drill meant to test responses to simulated threats.

The Unfolding Chaos

The confusion began around 4:25 AM on January 5, when two external security consultants arrived for the drill only to find the gate left wide open and Durendran missing.

After contacting him, the security officer falsely claimed he was nearby shopping for food. In his absence, the consultants left a fake improvised explosive device (IED) in a brown paper bag, intending for Durendran to dispose of it upon his return.

Consequences of Negligence

Upon finally reappearing at approximately 5:04 AM, Durendran erroneously claimed he had been on duty the entire night in his logbook, even as the consultants urged him to remove the dummy bomb.

He forgot to take action on this directive, leading to chaos when the next security staff member discovered the fake device and promptly alerted the authorities.

Emergency Response

The ensuing police response was swift and dramatic: numerous officers from the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were mobilized, and vital access to the complex was restricted for roughly 90 minutes, affecting over 100 individuals who had to be evacuated or prevented from entering.

Prosecutors' Argument

Prosecutors emphasized the gravity of Durendran's misconduct, highlighting that the role of security officers is critical in maintaining public safety.

They argued for a substantial penalty, claiming that his decision to leave for drinking with friends was a frivolous excuse that directly contributed to the oversight which allowed the dummy bomb to remain undetected.

Judicial Remarks

District Judge Ow Yong Tuck Leong noted that there were no reasonable justifications for Durendran's behavior and stressed the seriousness of his failure, especially since he was the sole officer on duty at the time.

Implications for Security Operations

With security personnel being entrusted with protecting people and properties, the case underscores the critical importance of accountability among those in power.

Durendran's absences raised concerns about how private security operations are managed, and the implications of neglect can have dire consequences in public safety situations.

Conclusion

This incident serves as a stark reminder to security personnel everywhere: a moment of negligence can lead to chaos and panic—something that can take years to rebuild in terms of trust and reputation.

How will this incident shape the future of security protocols in Singapore? Only time will tell.