Off-duty police officer helps Bukit Batok neighbours capture snake found in their home

An off-duty police officer came to the rescue when his Bukit Batok neighbours found a snake in their apartment on Nov 28.

Facebook user Yvonne Wong shared in a post how Inspector Fariz Bin Mohamad Noor had helped her family.

She had first spotted the snake on Nov 27 at around 12.15pm and called the police hotline to seek assistance. She was advised to contact the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) instead but upon AVA's arrival at 2.40pm, the snake could not be found.

She wrote: "Our neighbour, Inspector Fariz Bin Mohamad Noor of Clementi Police Division came to know about the incident as my family members shared with him about the incident earlier on. He assured my family members and told us that if we find the snake again at home, feel free to contact him anytime. 

The snake did not make another appearance until the next morning on Nov 28.

"I contacted Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) immediately and the operator said the team would need about 30 minutes to arrive," Yvonne said.

The AVA team had identified the reptile to be a Paradise Tree Snake from a WhatsApp photo she had sent to them.

While waiting for the AVA personnel to arrive, she contacted Inspector Fariz for assistance.

"Despite, Inspector Fariz was not being at home at the point of time, he extended his help to assist my family and [me] in capturing the snake before the arrival of AVA personnel. He released the snake back to its habitat after capturing it."

She proceeded to thank her neighbour for going beyond the call of duty:

"My family and I [would] like to express our deepest gratitude and compliment towards the courageous and helpful Inspector Fariz, who goes beyond his core duties as a law enforcer to provide help for people around him and has shown extraordinary compassion to living creatures.

"He truly demonstrated the ‘Kampong Spirit’ in assisting those that are in need of help. Singapore Police Force will always have my full respect and support.

"Thank you Inspector Fariz, it's truly honourable to have a have a selfless officer in the Singapore Police Force. Please continue to serve with pride and dignity for the people of Singapore."