The Singapore Police Force (SPF) recognised more than 50 members from the Citizens on Patrol (COP) volunteer scheme for their commitment and contribution to the safety and security of Singapore during the COP 20th Anniversary Celebration held at the Singapore Expo on Saturday, 13 April 2019.
Mr Murali Pillai, Member of Parliament, Bukit Batok Constituency and Deputy Chairperson of the Government Parliamentary Committee (Home Affairs & Law), who was the guest of honour, launched the new COP logo which articulates the close relationship between the police and community. He also announced several improvements to the rebranded COP scheme at the event.
Since the formation of COP in 1999, COP members have been patrolling their neighbourhoods, alerting police to suspicious activities or characters, and sharing crime prevention knowledge with residents. To continue to grow COP and strengthen the partnership between the Singapore Police Force and the community, the COP scheme will be rebranded to introduce the following improvements:
- Creating a stronger presence through enhanced visibility
All COP members will don a standard vest and carry with them an identification card while on patrol to enhance visibility in their communities. This will help to project a stronger deterrent effect on would-be offenders.
- Developing COP members’ ops capabilities through enhanced training
All COP members will undergo a revised training package and curriculum to better prepare them to deal with crime and crisis response. They will be trained in crime prevention, SGSecure knowledge and community emergency preparedness. They will be equipped with first aid skills and training to conduct simple crime risk surveys in their neighbourhoods, among others. To date, more than 1,000 members have been trained under the rebranded scheme.
- Equipping COP members for improved volunteer experience
A new volunteering platform in the Police@SG app will be rolled out in July 2019. The platform aims to improve the COP members volunteering experience as it will allow them to coordinate, sign up and track their patrols more conveniently.
“Amid the heightened security landscape, COP members play a pivotal role as the eyes and ears on the ground, partnering the Police in keeping vigil against crimes and security threats in our neighbourhoods. The SPF will continue its efforts to encourage more people to play an active role in safeguarding our community by joining as a COP," said Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police (DAC) Shng Yunn Chinn, Director of Community Partnership Department.
During the event, COP members also took a walk back in time at the exhibition detailing the development of COP over the past two decades.
Registration for the rebranded COP scheme is now open. Singaporeans and Permanent Residents aged between 17 to 80 may apply online at https://gems.gevme.com/registration-for-citizens-on-patrol.
Launch of the new COP logo by guest of honour Mr Murali Pillai
Mr Jeremy Tay and Ms Linda Liew, who are husband and wife, are both COP members with Ang Mo Kio North Neighbourhood Police Centre.
Guest of honour Mr Murali Pillai with some of the COP members
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
13 April 2019 @ 1:50 PM