The Singapore Police Force held its annual Workplan Seminar on 7 April 2017 at MAX Atria @ Singapore EXPO. The event was graced by Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, Mr K Shanmugam. The theme of this year’s seminar was “Together, Safeguarding Every Day”, to highlight the need for the Police and the community to continue working together to preserve the safety and security of Singapore.
In his keynote address, Minister Shanmugam said that the Police would be strengthening its counter-terrorism response capabilities by commissioning more Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) and training more specialist officers, such as the Rapid Deployment Troops (RDTs), to respond swiftly and decisively to attacks. Police will also be training the Police Coast Guard (PCG) frontline officers in counter-assault skills and equipping them with HK MP5 sub-machine guns and M4 carbines to respond to terror attacks in our waters. These officers, known as the Emergency Response Force (ERF), will patrol our waters from June 2017.
Minister Shanmugam also emphasised the need to strengthen community preparedness and resilience before a crisis. During the seminar, a panel discussion on “Not If, But When” was held where the real threat of terror attacks was brought to life through the sharing of personal experiences and insights by two members of public. Ms Betty Ong shared her first-hand experience of a terror attack, having been at Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand in 2015 when a bomb exploded. Mr Shaik Mohd Bin M K Mohideen, a ‘Citizens On Patrol’ volunteer, shared his thoughts on how the community could contribute towards a safe and secure Singapore. A third panel participant, Professor David Chan, Director of Behavioural Sciences Institute at Singapore Management University, provided his perspective on the importance of community cohesion and every individual’s role and responsibility in fighting terrorism.
Minister Shanmugam also highlighted the Police’s role in preparing the community to be vigilant, cohesive and resilient, before and after an attack. Since the launch of SGSecure in September 2016, the Police have reached out to more than 60,000 households. The Police will continue to reach out to more residents through house visits, school talks, seminars, community events and exercises to help them learn how to protect themselves and their families, and how to recognise and report suspicious behaviour or items.
Minister Shanmugam also announced the deployment of more Police cameras, known as PolCam 2.0, at town centres, neighbourhood centres, hawker centres, markets and covered link ways. By the end of this year, 3,100 more PolCam 2.0 cameras will be installed at the following locations:
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3 town centres (Toa Payoh, Boon Keng, Marsiling);
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3 neighbourhood centres (Jurong West, Whampoa, Hougang);
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50 hawker centres and markets; and
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700 covered link ways
This year also commemorates the 50th year of National Service – NS50. In his address, Minister Shanmugam expressed his appreciation for the selfless service of Police NS officers. He also announced the formation of PNSmen Public Order Troops to provide Police with greater support during national emergencies and major security events.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
07 April 2017 @ 7:00 PM