Training Command

KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2006

FY 2006 was an eventful year for the Training Command (TRACOM), with intensive training to prepare officers for the IIMF-WB Board of Governors Annual Meetings 2006 or S2006 operations, implementation of several force-wide training initiatives and the introduction of a purpose-built obstacle course.

Training for S2006

Between May and September 2006, TRACOM conducted training for 3,287 PNSmen, 1,152 trainees and 139 PCG officers to prepare them for the S2006 operations. These officers underwent courses which were customised to fit their respective deployments. Conducted over 3 phases, the training consisted of lectures, practical lessons, e-Test, scenario-based training at Home Team Academy’s (HTA) Training Village and familiarisation of operational grounds through briefings and site visits. The positive outcome of the training was apparent in the vigilant and professional manner in which the officers performed their duties, despite the challenges that arose during the S2006 operations.

In-Service Training Guidelines

A common platform of equipping officers with necessary skills and knowledge is in-service training. TRACOM introduced a set of guidelines towards the planning of in-service training to ensure that it was properly managed so as to better respond to changing operational demands. The allocation of in-service training hours was standardised across all land divisions to ensure that the time given for in-service training was fully optimised. Land divisions also had to review their respective in-service training plans to factor in new recommendations which were required to take effect during the financial year. Mandatory topics were also introduced to create a sense of balance in the area of training focus and to reduce the tendency of over-emphasising a particular area. On-the-Job Competency

On-the-Job Competency Assessment (OJCA) and Probationer Competency Assessment Officer (PCAO) Schemes

As part of TRACOM’s on-going curriculum review, structured on-the-job training (SOJT) was replaced by the OJCA scheme. With the shift in focus from on-the-job training to on-the-job competency assessment, probationary officers are now assessed – over a period of 17 weeks - in the areas of patrol functions, incident management, investigation, counter duties and community policing. At the same time, the Field Training Officer (FTO) Scheme was replaced by the PCAO Scheme. Deputy Team Leaders (DTL) and selected Group Leaders (GL) from the Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPC) underwent training to equip them with the necessary skills to coach and assess the probationers under their charge throughout their OJCA period. A total of 265 officers were selected, trained and appointed as PCAOs in FY 2006.

Police Standard Obstacle Course (PSOC)

TRACOM, in collaboration with DSO National Laboratories, developed a customised obstacle course which aims to simulate obstacles commonly encountered by frontline officers in urban areas. To ensure realism, the obstacles were constructed in the same dimensions as would be commonly found in the real operating environment. An officer undergoing the PSOC – which covers a distance of 1.4km - will have to do a 400m run, clear 10 purpose-built obstacles and end off with a 200m home run. PSOC provides officers with skills such as landing and hurdling, dodging stationary and moving objects, situational awareness, coordination and balance. Introduced in March 2007 as a basic training requirement for all Police trainees, PSOC will help to ease them into an operational state of mind as well as physical readiness when they carry out their duties as frontline officers.

PLANS FOR FY 2007

Much was achieved in FY 2006. However, TRACOM will not rest on its laurels and will continue to look out for new ways and opportunities to build up the SPF’s capacity to learn and innovate, so that officers can adapt to the rapidly changing and complex operational environment.