THE issue came up when a family out at the beach saw a police car travelling along the footpath at East Coast Park.

Private school tutor Y. Chong said the patrol car came very close to his eight-year-old daughter who was riding on a two-wheel toy scooter at that time.

Her mother and aunt had to shout out, telling her to move out of the way when they saw the car approaching.

Mr Chong said the police car he saw at East Coast Park did not have its sirens or blinker lights on but did have its breakdown or hazard lights switched on.

The car was also travelling at 30 to 40kmh, based on his estimate.

He said the officer in the car stopped near a group of people sitting beside the footpath and got out to talk to them. He was laughing and talking for a few minutes with the group before driving off again.

The police told The Straits Times that based on their preliminary investigations, the officer was not there on official business.

Disciplinary action will be taken against him when investigations are complete.