By Amelia Tan, The Straits Times, 6 Apr 2015
THE men in blue will be popping up in your neighbourhood more often.
As part of a community policing system rolled out islandwide, police officers and volunteers are pounding the beat more frequently, and more CCTV cameras have been installed in Housing Board estates. The Community Policing System (COPS), launched in 2012, has been introduced at all 35 neighbourhood police posts.
Yesterday, a community event in Marine Parade was organised by the police to mark the full roll-out of the scheme.
Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Police Alvin Moh told reporters yesterday that CCTV cameras had been installed in more than 4,400 HDB blocks and carparks.
The police are on track to install such cameras in all 10,000 HDB blocks and carparks by the end of next year, he added. "The police will continue to work hard to build on our foundation of trust with the community," said AC Moh, who is commander of the Bedok Police Division.
Said grassroots leader David Siow, 47, an engineer who has been doing patrols around Marine Crescent Gardens for 15 years: "There are fewer loan-shark harassment cases in my neighbourhood. I think this is because of the frequent patrols by volunteers and police officers."
Yesterday's event was attended by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who spoke about the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew's contributions to the police force. Mr Lee, Singapore's first prime minister, died at the age of 91 on March 23.
Mr Goh said the COPS scheme strived to build on Mr Lee's belief that the police must maintain close ties with the community. "Mr Lee suggested that the police should be part of the community," said Mr Goh, who is an MP for Marine Parade GRC. "They should be out walking around, befriending community members and getting support from the community."
Mr Lee also helped establish a high-quality police force by launching the police scholars scheme and ensuring that officers received competitive salaries, Mr Goh added.
"(Mr Lee said) if police officers were paid much less than the market (rate)... we would not be able to attract good-quality people. If we did, they wouldn't stay long," he said.
At yesterday's event, community partners, including students and grassroots leaders, were given plaques to recognise their crime-prevention efforts.
"(Mr Lee said) if police officers were paid much less than the market (rate)... we would not be able to attract good-quality people. If we did, they wouldn't stay long," he said.
At yesterday's event, community partners, including students and grassroots leaders, were given plaques to recognise their crime-prevention efforts.
Here is the long-awaited in-house production featuring COPS - brought to you by the men and women of Marine Parade...
Posted by Marine Parade NPC on Saturday, April 4, 2015
Police get high-tech nerve centre
By Walter Sim, The Straits Times, 7 Apr 2015
A NEW 24-hour nerve centre for Singapore's police officers to monitor and respond to incidents was officially opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.
The Police Operations Command Centre coordinates information received through various sources - including emergency 999 calls, the police hotline and the CrimeStopper online form - and manages the police's response, said a statement released by the police last night.
The centre is an upgraded version of the Singapore Police Force's Combined Operations Room, and will use more advanced technology to help the police better manage incidents in real time as well as prevent, deter and detect crime. Operations at the centre started last November.
"Our police officers don't carry little black notebooks around any more," PM Lee said in a Facebook post yesterday after launching the centre.
"They use IT and 3G comms, and are linked to the Police Operations Command Centre."
The centre's official opening, which was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean, was not open to the media over concerns of operational sensitivity.
Our Police Officers don’t carry little black notebooks around any more :). They use IT and 3G comms, and are linked to...
Posted by Lee Hsien Loong on Monday, April 6, 2015
The centre's official opening, which was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean, was not open to the media over concerns of operational sensitivity.
The centre will also contain the Police HQ Incident Command Post, which is set up for major police operations, such as the recent funeral arrangements for Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
At the centre's launch, PM Lee spoke to some police officers who he said had "worked so hard to manage the huge crowds during the recent state funeral" of the elder Mr Lee.
He added: "Deeply appreciate their efforts to keep Singapore safe."
No comments:
Post a Comment