SINGAPORE - 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 are private or public, but many of them occupy sensitive infrastructure or inhabit premises or conduct events with high footfall.
The group will work with them to offer advice based on security-risk assessments, conduct joint patrols and simulated exercises to boost security.
PSEG has worked with more than half of these agencies to date, such as those linked to Gardens by the Bay, said the commander of Procom, Assistant Commissioner of Police Devrajan Bala, in a media briefing on Thursday (Dec 16).
Procom officers conduct operations and patrols in 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.
Procom servicemen - most of whom are full-time national servicemen (NSFs) - are often seen on patrol or conducting security sweeps in 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.
When asked about new technology, AC Devrajan said Procom is exploring the use of technology, such as 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,” he said.
“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,” said AC Devrajan.
“For example, CCTVs (closed-circuit television cameras) are never enough, and you can always have more to cover blind spots in a location. (Partners) usually take our suggestions after looking into their own business considerations.”
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 in 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 undergo 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 on Thursday at Procom headquarters in Ulu Pandan, where a team of officers armed with sub-machine guns apprehended three “terrorists” who attacked innocent bystanders in a simulated showcase.
Officers swept two floors of a training facility there to swiftly eliminate the terrorists moments after the latter 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 Centre, 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 recalled.
Realising it was a car crash, he helped to secure the location and assisted those who were hurt as they waited for help to arrive.
Two women were killed and four others were injured in the tragic accident.
“I’m a policeman, so I prioritise the safety of members of the public. But being from this unit, we never rule out the potential for hostile behaviour, so we have to be on guard,” said Insp Herman.
Commander (NS) Procom Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ben Tan added: “Near misses and false alarms are very much part of the job, but we must be sensitive to all events and not let our guard down.”
