Operations Department

KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2006

Operations and Exercises

FY 2006 was an especially hectic year for the Operations Department. The most memorable operations were the GE 2006 and the IMF-WB Board of Governors Annual Meetings 2006 or S2006. The department’s meticulous preparations and astute ground execution have ensured the successful conclusion of these events.

Operations Department has also conducted numerous exercises throughout the year. These included the Pandora exercises for public order scenarios, the BOCA exercises for chemical agent attacks, and Exercise Eagle II for terrorist hostage situations.

New Operational Capabilities

Several new operational capabilities were rolled out. Purpose-built public order barricades and the Police Escort Tactical Response Vans (PETRA) were deployed for the first time during S2006. A new Police Headquarters Operations Cell was also commissioned, incorporating a new Unified Closed-circuit Television (CCTV) Management System, satellite maps, 3D modelling and an extensive video wall. Riding on the success of the Public Camera Zones at Newton Food Centre, Boat Quay, Little India and Geylang, Operations Department has extended the coverage to Suntec City, which is similarly a populous area.
The department has also collaborated with the Town Councils to install cameras at the Housing Development Board (HDB) estates’ common public areas.

New Community Engagement Initiatives

Involving and working with the community is a factor in SPF’s success in keeping crime at bay in the neighbourhood. New community engagement initiatives were introduced. Under the ‘Youth Hanging Out Late’ initiative, the SPF sent out more than 650 letters in 2006 to parents of at-risk youths found outdoors after 11pm. Another initiative is the Hand phone IMEI Tracing System (HITS), an online database that allows the public to screen for stolen hand phones. Results were promising, as the number of youths arrested decreased sharply by 28% in 2006 as compared to 2005, and hand phone crime fell from 4,825 cases in 2005 to 4,594 in 2006.

Legislation Changes

Operations Department has made significant strides to enhance the anti-terrorism security legislation by taking over the regulation of explosive precursors, such as ammonium nitrate from the National Environment Agency. The amendments to the Arms and Explosives Act would establish a new licensing structure to prohibit the possession, storage, importation, exportation, manufacture of, or dealing in any explosive precursor.

The regulation of massage establishments was tightened to clamp down on vice activities. Stricter requirements were imposed on massage establishments before they could qualify for exemption from licence applications. Masseuses of licensed establishments were required to undergo annual health screening.

PLANS FOR FY 2007

FY 2007 will see major police deployment when Singapore hosts the 27th ASEAN Chiefs of Police Conference (ASEANAPOL) in June and the 13th ASEAN Summit in November. In January 2008, Exercise Northstar VI will once again test our preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack.

Operations Department will continue to build new operational capabilities. One key initiative is the commissioning of the Forward Command Vehicle, integrated with information and communication technology and logistical equipment. A Cubicon II team has also been formed to overhaul the system.

The department will be reviewing the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) licensing functions to focus its resources on law and order concerns. It intends to hand over the regulation of amusement rides to an appropriate agency with expertise in engineering safety, and hive off the regulation of arts entertainment activities to a more suitable government authority.

With the two Integrated Resorts scheduled to open in 2009 and 2010, Operations Department is already planning ahead. It is working with the companies to incorporate security measures in the design of their buildings, systems and processes. Work is also underway to set up a Police Post at each resort.