Singapore Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugan asked the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Friday to investigate allegations of racial discrimination and workplace bullying in the force made by a Singaporean police officer who was found dead the same day.

The officer, 35-year-old Uvaraja Gopal, died in the hospital after being found unconscious near a housing block in Yishun. The cause of death is still under investigation. However, the SPF did not suspect foul play in the officer’s death. They expressed their sadness at the passing of their colleague in a statement posted via Facebook, extending their condolences to his family.

Before his death, the officer issued a statement on Facebook detailing the discrimination and bullying he allegedly suffered in the SPF. Shanmugan stated that “these allegations are serious” and that his request to the SPF to “investigate the facts” will be followed thoroughly. The minister promised that they “will get to the bottom of this” and hold those responsible for this behaviour accountable while reiterating that the police “have a clear policy of non discrimination” as “all officers are entitled to be treated fairly.”

SPF highlighted that they were aware of the officer’s “challenges at work” and had previously “extended various assistances to him.” Despite this, SPF confirmed that they will “be looking thoroughly” as they investigate the issues raised by the deceased officer.

According to the US Department of State, racial incidents in Singapore are rare, but racially motivated workplace bullying does occur. In 2021, Shanmugan reported that racist and religiously-motivated incidents went up nearly 100% for the year 2020, from 31 to 60.