Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday morning heard first hand from 38 Home Team officers who were the first responders in the Dec 8 Little India riot.

Over breakfast at Rochor Neighbourhood Police Centre, Mr Lee spent more than an hour listening to their accounts, including of projectiles being thrown at them as they did their rescue work and crowd control.

He thanked them for performing their duty with courage and collectedness, and encouraged them not to heed some of the online criticism about their actions.

Speaking later to reporters, Mr Lee said they were able to carry out their duty because among them were officers who had many years of experience, and they had undergone training. Also, the Home Team was able to work as one, he added.

He also revealed that the Home Team is looking at using technology such as wearable cameras to boost their effectiveness in operations.

The officers he met included those from Police Special Operations Command, Traffic Police, and Tanglin and Central Police Divisions. Among them were six women officers who were at the frontline as well as several full-time national servicemen.

Mr Lee later presented them with gifts of mango cheese tarts and took a group photograph with them.