Police branch set up to help organisations boost defences against terror

A specialist police unit has set up a new engagement branch to help public and private organisations beef up security on their premises against potential terror attacks.

The Protective Security Command (Procom), which turned five this year, is tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and important events. Its new Protective Security Engagement Group (PSEG), formed in February, aims to collaborate with about 200 organisations within the next year.

The group will work with them and offer advice based on security-risk assessments, and conduct joint patrols and simulated security exercises.

It is not clear how many of these organisations are private or public, but many of them occupy sensitive infrastructure or premises, or conduct events with high footfall.

PSEG has already been working with more than 100 agencies, including some linked to Gardens by the Bay, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Devrajan Bala, commander of Procom, in a media briefing last Thursday.

Procom officers conduct operations and patrols at many of these sites, but closer collaboration between these organisations and the police can ensure both sides are alert to site-specific security needs and address them, he said.

When asked about new technology, AC Devrajan said Procom is exploring the use of ground sensors and robots to support ground operations. "Technology is a key enabler for the police to pick out things even without officers being there. We hope to put more of these measures in place in the future.

"We assess the in-house security of a location to make sure it is up to mark, and also ensure they have a (plan) to deal with a crisis."

He cited how more closed-circuit television cameras can be installed to cover blind spots at a site.

Cost is a common challenge faced by PSEG when working with public agencies, as the police recommend security measures such as more surveillance cameras and adequate fencing but do not fund them, he added.

Procom servicemen - most of whom are full-time national servicemen (NSFs) - are often seen on patrol or conducting security sweeps at public venues or events.

The unit has the largest number of NSFs and operationally ready national servicemen in the police force, but total numbers were not disclosed at the briefing. Those posted to Procom go through a four-week specialisation course that includes training on security concepts, the use of weapons and technology, and tactical skill sets.

Their abilities were on display last Thursday at the Procom headquarters in Ulu Pandan - in a simulated showcase, a team of officers armed with sub-machine guns apprehended three "terrorists" who had "attacked" bystanders.

Officers swept two floors of a training facility to swiftly eliminate the terrorists, moments after the latter group burst onto the scene.

The training keeps officers alert to changing trends in terrorism today, especially as large crowds return with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, said AC Devrajan.

He highlighted how Procom officers deployed in Orchard Road responded promptly when they heard a loud crash outside Lucky Plaza in 2019.

Inspector Herman Mohamed Sedek, 43, who was on patrol with three other officers near Paragon shopping mall, said they ran over to the scene within a minute.

"I thought something exploded. There were people running away and I saw smoke, so I knew roughly where the incident was," he said.

Realising it was a car crash, he helped to secure the location and assisted those who were hurt. Two women were killed and four others were injured in the accident.