APPSOLUTELY CREATIVE VOLUME 40 NO. 7

Keeping Nuisance Out of ‘999’ Leaders Growing Leaders 02 POLICE LIFE POLICE LIFE 03

CONTENTS

03 06 07 Appsolutely No More Keeping Nuisance Creative Touch and Go Out of ‘999’ APPSOLUTELY

08 10 11 Annual Police Home to A Leading Up Dinner Rich History to The Parade

12 13 14 League Champion Leaders Growing Eight Officers Earn Again Leaders The Right to Don The Marlin Badge

EDITOR’S NOTE COMMITTEE E In the Police, we take pride in being effective ‘multi-taskers’, with Editorial Advisor AC Melvin Yong so many of us involved in various inter-agency collaborations,

cross departmental committees, project groups and secondary Chief Editor appointments, on top of our day-to-day duties. DAC Tan Tin Wee

Senior Editor However, multi tasking blindly also runs the risk of getting nothing Ms Leena Rajan SC Mok Wen Jie done. Hence, we also have to work smart and think creatively. By Editor Each activity must be accorded the due diligence it requires, but Ms Tham Yee Lin we also have to be aware of new technologies and methods which can enable us to achieve even better outcomes for the SPF. Journalists SSgt Lim Jia Zhong Edwin Ms Chew Si Lei Jinnie In this issue, you will see how our officers have both multi-tasked SC/Cpl Muhammad Alif Bin Sapuan and specialised deeply in their respective fields of work and SC Mok Wen Jie brought about remarkable outcomes such as creative Police- Photographers Capitalising on the widespread ownership of smartphones related smartphone applications, winning the NPC league twice in SSgt Chee Yong Tat and their use of mobile applications, the Singapore Police a row, and mentoring future leaders, to name a few. SSgt Lim Jia Zhong Edwin Ms Leena Rajan SC Mok Wen Jie Senior Editor Force (SPF) organised an IdeApp Challenge as part of its Police Life We do all these in the hope that we will not be limited by any Special Thanks efforts to promote innovation and make it a way of life in the self-imposed boundaries, so that the Police Force as a whole Ms Metta Yang keeps improving. SPF. The challenge was launched on 2 January 2014 and SPF Design and Production officers were challenged to use their creativity and problem Happy reading! Redbean De Pte Ltd solving capabilities to develop applications for use by both SPF officers and members of the public.

Police Life is a publication of the . For feedback or enquiries, please write to the editorial team at [email protected]. The materials in this publication are not to be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the Editorial Committee. All rights reserved. Whilst we tried to ensure that information provided is up-to-date and accurate, the publisher will not be responsible for any errors or omissions.

facebook.com/singaporepoliceforce twitter.com/singaporepolice youtube.com/spfcommunityoutreach Police@SG iPhone / Android App www.police.gov.sg 04 POLICE LIFE POLICE LIFE 05

THE TOP THREE

First Place Second Place Third Place Team Name :Clementi NPC Pathfinder, Team Name :Team Eagle, Team Name :Be SAFE, Clementi Police Division App Name :Link-Up App Name :iPlod SG App Name :Shrill Alarm

Community Policing Officers engage members of The incredibly large number of Standard Operating Building upon the ‘Be SAFE’ campaign to create the public as part of their duties to promote crime Procedures (SOPs), Directives and Doctrines greater awareness on Outrage Of Modesty, the notion prevention practices. However, many elderly and makes it difficult for a police officer to find out of having an app to replace the physical shrill alarm foreign workers may not speak or understand what procedures to take in uncommon situations. appeals on several fronts. Firstly, there would be ighteen proposals were submitted to the organising We are heartened by the strong English. It then becomes very difficult for officers This is further compounded by the fact that all cost savings from not having to buy large quantities committee, after which all SPF staff were invited to vote for their favourite application. The top eight participation and enthusiasm of our to bring across crime prevention messages even this information can only be found on “CREATE”, of shrill alarms for community engagement. with the help of brochures and posters, which are a secure domain which only limited devices can Eteams then presented their ideas for the final judging. Secondly, as Community Policing Officer Staff SPF officers for this competition as well mostly in English. Such paper hardcopies also hold access remotely. Sergeant Muhammad Hazmi shared, “This Four officers from SPF’s senior management and guest no interest for the younger generation, who are now Inspector (INSP) Clara Wong elaborates, “The team application allows anyone who owns a smart phone judge -Mr Kwok Quek Sin, the Infocomm Development as the high quality mobile application more I.T. savvy. Authority of Singapore’s, Director of Government Digital envisioned to have a pocket reference tool for SPF to be armed with a shrill alarm at all times. Unlike Services - listened to the teams’ presentations on ideas proposed by them. The Planning The app aims to solve this problem through pictorial officers, containing a database that officers can the physical shrill alarm where the users may 20 June 2014. & Organisation Department (P&O) will descriptions. As Acting Inspector Fabian Tan easily make reference to when being despatched forget to bring it along and find it too cumbersome Gracing the event as Guest-of-Honour was Deputy explains, “By re-enacting crime prone scenarios to an incident or in the midst of handling an incident to carry it, this application allows us to overcome Commissioner of Police (Policy) (DC (P)) T. Raja Kumar. continue to organise the SPF IdeApp and using such pictures to explain to the public, it is to ensure that no step or consideration has been these problems and yet offer an effective platform In his closing remarks, DC (P) said that he would like this much easier to get our intended message across, overlooked. Officers will not make ill-advised to reach out to the masses. We firmly believe that event to be held yearly as a continuous effort to promote Challenge competition annually and linking the messages in our current crime prevention decisions due to the lack of knowledge of the this application will greatly benefit our community.” innovation on the mobile applications platform. notices to the pictures now. In addition, we have the SOPs. iPlod SG will help our organisation better also work with all teams to see Besides a simple one-button alarm, some additional flexibility to update the pictures quickly and officers meet public expectations and maintain confidence DC (P) also thanked Mr Kwok for volunteering his time features being considered for the shrill alarm through the implementation of the can save it onto workpads or handphones to use in the SPF.” to share his wealth of experience. Mr Kwok had been application are a notification list of people (auto- during our engagement with the public.” impressed by our officers’ capabilities, and added that mobile application ideas proposed While the mobile app’s main function is to enable short message service sent during activation of shrill the SPF mobile app should not be just another channel The application administers a ‘test’ displaying a users to search for and retrieve the desired alarm); displaying the nearest police station to user’s for disseminating information or extending current by them. series of large pictures of a crime-in-progress, and subject, additional features include a “favourites” current location; and a “Call 999” emergency button. functionalities. He suggested that SPF could look at displays four smaller pictures depicting what the list for officers to save certain pages, as well as how mobile apps could also change the way operations Assistant Commissioner of Police Teo Chun Chung are conducted. Director P&O public could do: three showing wrong practices and the possibility to share pages with colleagues and one with the correct answer. In this simple multiple- receive updates on new items and changes. choice question format, the member of the public will have to choose the correct picture. At the end of the ‘test’, there will be a summary page that contains OTHER APPS good practices and crime prevention advice. IN THE TOP 8

Team Name :Navigators, Team Name :SPF Eyes on the Ground, Team Name :The Legion, iPlod SG Crime Picturein progress (PCG) Police Logistics Department App Name :Maritime Navigation Regulations App Name :SPF Eyes on the Ground App Name :Checkmate Picture 1 Correct This mobile application aims to allow PCG officers Making use of the smartphone’s Global Positioning Meant to simplify the filling up of hard copy Practice Picture 2 Wrong Practice Picture 3 to learn and reinforce their maritime navigation System (GPS) features, members of the public will checklists when officers hand over their duties Jurong West Ave 1 Wrong Practice Picture 4 Call 999 operational knowledge regardless of time or be informed of crime in their vicinity. They can also to the next duty officers, the mobile application Wrong Practice location. use the application to alert Police on the location allows users to conduct their checks anytime as Record Video of a wanted suspect that they have spotted. Their long as the user’s phone is with him/her. It also It can also double up as a learning and teaching current location will be sent to the 999 call centre, allows officers to attach photos to the digital tool in classrooms. which will despatch officers to the area. checklists done.

SC Mok Wen Jie and Planning & Organisation Department 06 POLICE LIFE POLICE LIFE 07

VOICES FROM THE BLUE NO MORE By SC/Cpl Muhammad Alif Bin Sapuan

TOUCHOn his day off, Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Muzzammil putAND a stop to a molester’s crime spree.GO KEEPING NUISANCE OUT OF ‘999’

By SC Mok Wen Jie

Station Inspector (SI) Edmund Ong Chee Yong is the officer in charge of managing and actively reducing the number of nuisance calls to the Police Emergency Hotline ‘999’.

is designation is Officer-in- which are hard to differentiate from an Charge, Nuisance Calls. It’s not actual situation until a police officer is the most glamourous sounding present at the location. Hjob around, but SI Ong plays an important role in helping to ensure that A lesser known aspect of his work is the public’s calls to 999 are answered. dealing with “technological setbacks”. Accidental nuisance calls can SI Ong uses the Nuisance Call Tracking sometimes be attributed to a phone’s Facilities system to monitor nuisance hardware or software issue. The 17- calls made to the Police Emergency year veteran in the police force has to Hotline. It identifies nuisance calls by constantly keep track of the features following certain perimeters or trigger and configurations of new handphone points, such as the number of calls models. He then advises the caller over a period of time. These trigger how to avoid such issues, and informs points can be adjusted based on the manufacturer about the issue, prevailing trends. collaborating with them on how best to tackle the problem. REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT Identifying the causes of such calls, he actively works to reduce the number of nuisance calls received. These include A job like no other PROCEDURE advising nuisance callers on the proper “Although it is a staff position unlike usage of the Police Emergency Hotline, frontline officers who experience the There are a range of penalties If the number of nuisance calls working with the telecommunication ‘real’ action, I am proud of my job, and actions that can be taken is exceptionally high and affects industry and users to understand the being the only one holding this unique against people who abuse operations in the Combined or misuse Police Emergency Operations Room (the nerve t was SSgt Mohamed Muzzammil impact of emergency calling features position in the Singapore Police Two Victims Within a Showing Great Empathy SSgt Muzzammil’s swift action helped number ‘999’. centre of the Singapore Police Bin Abu Talib’s day off work, and in new phones, and collaborating with Force,” said SI Ong, who has been Short Span Upon questioning the teenager stop a molester from furthering his Force and where all ‘999’ calls he was in the midst of buying a industry regulators to explore possible helming this position since 2009. A short while before SSgt Muzzammil’s further, he admitted to his crime. SSgt crime. But it was his professionalism in Subscribers are initially are answered), a request will Idrink from a fruit stall at Bugis Village. regulatory frameworks to reduce handling the case with such sensitivity issued a ‘Letter of Advice’, be sent to telecommunication intervention, the woman had been Muzzammil immediately called for nuisance calls. “I advise members of the public Suddenly, a lady’s voice caught his alerting them on the number walking along Bugis Village when backup. that stands out. Such is the trait of a who mistakenly or intentionally make companies for termination of attention. good police officer who is looked upon of nuisance calls made from the subscriber’s telephone. she felt a brush against her right A multitude of challenges nuisance calls to ‘999’, thus helping as a leader in the community. their number. This escalates buttock. Shocked, she turned and Although the teenager was alone when to reduce the numbers of nuisance A large number of nuisance calls to a ‘Letter of Warning’, and Under the Miscellaneous Stepping In to Help saw the teenager standing behind her. he committed the act, SSgt Muzzammil calls. This alleviates the load on our It was also thanks to the first victim’s are silent calls, which are difficult to finally a ‘Letter of Intended Offences (Public Order and However, instead of confronting him, learnt that his family was actually also call takers, and helps to ensure that “Why did you molest me?” A woman alertness and quick thinking that the identify as accidental or intentional. Prosecution’, warning that if Nuisance) Act Chapter 184, it she decided to trail him. Soon, she at Bugis Village. He knew that the the people who seriously need police in her early twenties asked a teenager. teenaged molester was arrested. Callers with mental illnesses are also the subscriber continues, the is an offence to make nuisance noticed him nearing a second victim. teenager’s family could be worried assistance can get through to the case will be referred to an calls and offenders can be a challenge, as many often call the The teenager seemed at a loss as to This time, it was not a brush but a grab. when they could not locate him, so SSgt Muzzammil has this piece of ‘999’ line.” Investigation Officer (IO) with fined up to $20,000 and jailed police for help from imagined threats, what to do on being confronted. SSgt SSgt Muzzammil contacted his father, advice, “I strongly urge all women to be the intention of prosecuting the up to five years. The first victim knew that she could Muzzammil immediately identified explained what had happened, and aware of their surroundings, especially offender/subscriber in court. not let the teenager get away with his himself as a police officer, proceeded the ensuing procedures concerning in crowded areas where perpetrators crime. Thus, she confronted him while to lead the lady and the teenager away police investigations to him. may be lingering to prey on possible the second victim was standing close from the public area, and spoke to both victims.” to her. of them to find out what happened.

SSgt Lim Jia Zhong Edwin SC Mok Wen Jie 08 POLICE LIFE POLICE LIFE 09

POLICEANNUAL DINNER By SSgt Lim Jia Zhong Edwin

“Thank you for standing with us as we build a better future for our Police Force and for our country, as only a Force for our Nation can,” said Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee during the Annual Police Dinner held on 25 June 2014 at the Istana. Graced by The President of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Dr Tony Tan, the Annual Police Dinner was held to honour individuals, organisations and members of the Singapore Police Force for their contributions in keeping Singapore safe and secure. Police Life brings you exclusive highlights from the event.

SSgt Lim Jia Zhong Edwin and SC Mok Wen Jie 10 POLICE LIFE POLICE LIFE 11

HERITAGE HOME TO A RICH HISTORY Ms Metta Yang, By Public Affairs Department LEADING UP By SSgt Chee Yong Tat It used to house senior British police officers. Now, the Senior Police Officers’ Mess (SPOM) is the TO THE PARADE Police’s premier social hub for both official and private functions, and the latest addition to the Looking dignified and impressive, the Traffic Police (TP) outriders in the President’s and Prime Minister’s Balestier Heritage Trail. motorcades at the National Day Parade each year are always a sight to behold. Police Life shows you onstructed in 1931, the SPOM what happens before the fleet arrive at the Parade. was first used as accommodation for senior British police officers. DISCOVER CHARMING he TP outrider leading the CThe living quarters were sited on the motorcade is known as the pilot. upper floor while the ground floor held BALESTIER The pilot is responsible for the the anteroom, dining room and bar. The Ttimely arrival of the motorcade, and unique façade of the elegant building is The Balestier Heritage Trail is has an additional digital stop watch drawn from the “Tudorbethan revival” aimed at raising awareness and mounted on the handlebar to control the style which is characterised by simple preserving Balestier’s rich heritage. pacing of the motorcade. The pilot also forms and geometric shapes. Balestier boasts nearly 180 years has to relay his timing at pre-identified of history which have seen the Today, the SPOM is a treasure trove of checkpoints to track the motorcade’s the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) rich area transform, from sugar cane progress, and must ensure that the heritage and history as evident from the plantations to shops filled with sweet motorcade arrives at the Parade venue and savoury delights. Balestier many artifacts that can be seen on its event by taking seven National Heritage Pleasant: The Senior Police Officers’ on time, down to the precise second. premises. More importantly, signature Board (NHB) personnel on a tour of Mess of the Singapore Police Force” to today still plays host to significant events of the Singapore Police Force the SPOM. Among other things, DAC NHB’s Deputy Director of Community cultural landmarks, traditional This is especially so for our President’s (SPF) such as the Dining-In continue to Poh shared with them the history of the Institutions and Outreach, Ms Sim trades and architectural styles arrival timing which is crucial for the be held in its dining hall. Temasek Sword as well as the many Wan Hui. that embody Singapore’s diverse Singapore Flag Fly Past, together with heritage. You may wish to go on It is thus no surprise that the SPOM Dining-Ins that were hosted by SPF the singing of the National Anthem. “NHB is delighted to partner SPOM a self-guided tour of the area or earned the 14th spot on the Balestier officers at the SPOM for special guests. This is also where he will join our fellow to add a new marker to the Balestier Heritage Trail. The Public Affairs download the “Singapore Heritage Heritage Trail. We hope its addition Singaporeans to sing the National Department organised a special event After the tour, the Commissioner of Trails – Balestier” mobile app to to the Balestier trail will bring greater Anthem together. on 3 July 2014 to commemorate this Police, Mr Ng Joo Hee, unveiled the rediscover gems in the Balestier achievement. marker for the Heritage Trail to much awareness of the building’s long history neighbourhood. fanfare and applause from officers who and rich heritage of the Singapore During the journey to the National Day Deputy Assistant Commissioner of were also present. He then presented Police Force,” said Mr Tan Boon Hui, Parade venue, additional TP officers, Police (DAC) Poh Lye Hin kicked off the the coffee table book “Home at Mount NHB’s Group Director/Programmes. who are also known as the clearance squad, are deployed from the beginning of the journey to facilitate a ‘green wave’ (non-stop travel) for the President of Singapore. The clearance squad uses a leap frog system to ensure that all traffic junctions are secured for the President to pass through. As the motorcade passes by a clearance officer, the officer then leaps ahead of everyone else to the next unmanned junction. This continues until the motorcade reaches the destination.

FUN FACTS

The President of Singapore is escorted by four TP officers in the front and two officers at the rear. This is known as the Full Prestige Escort. In comparison, the Prime Minister is escorted by three TP officers in the front and two TP officers at the rear. This is known as the Prestige Escort.

TP officers are equipped with a whistle to alert and capture the attention of other road users during escorts and traffic control duties.

SC Mok Wen Jie SSgt Chee Yong Tat 12 POLICE LIFE POLICE LIFE 13 LEAGUE CHAMPION GROWING LEADERS LEADERS By SC Mok Wen Jie By SC/Cpl Muhammad Alif Bin Sapuan The fourth run of the Leadership Mentoring Programme (LMP) saw 20 pairs of senior police AGAIN!It may not be as glamorous as the UEFA Champions League, but winning the Singapore Police Force’s officers in a year-long ‘mentor-mentee’ relationship. NPC League is surely a glorious moment for all the officers involved. What more for the team that has Police Life finds out how one pair, Deputy Assistant won twice in a row? Commissioner of Police (DAC) Arthur Law and Superintendent of Police (SUPT) S Kanthan he Woodlands East achieve it. Supervisors set clear and Neighbourhood Police Centre Prakash, have been progressing since April. concise targets, and the officers then RELEVANT TRAINING PAVES THE WAY TO (NPC) clinched the top spot work hard to deliver results. Tin the NPC League for the second Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Superintendent of Police consecutive year in 2014. The NPC Supt Soh recognised that every officer SUCCESS Arthur Law (AL) S Kanthan Prakash (KP) league was introduced in 2011 to drive brings with them different strengths. How have you conducted How did you discuss your planning and development to mentor and pass on my and reward operational excellence by “The mixed and dynamic teams your mentoring sessions? experiences with each other? perspective helped me gain knowledge to SUPT Kanthan. NPCs island-wide. Crime rate, number Each group of officers receive and how to work effectively and Q: Q: create an environment where officers an overarching appreciation I feel that as Police Officers, of arrests made, discipline rate, IPPT training that is tailored for their efficiently with the community AL :I visited Yishun South AL  :We let the topic come could grow as a group and also as of some areas that I had been when we are given a clear goal and combat shoot are some of the roles. For example, the Crime stakeholders. Neighbourhood Police Centre naturally, keeping our sessions individuals,” he said. spontaneous and candid blind to. in mind, we will work diligently criteria used to determine the top NPC. Strike Force (CSF) officers were (NPC), where SUPT Kanthan With the CSF and CPU units without a specific topic or any inculcated with knowledge of is the Commanding Officer. He towards achieving that goal. With the manpower that the NPC formed, the frontline officers planned agenda, with the aim of Everyone Contributes to software that speeds up data gave me an orientation of the SUPT Kanthan, how have you These sessions have also given has, officers are reshuffled to different became much more focused NPC, his routines and his future building our relationship through the Success searches, possible screening applied your new knowledge me a different perspective about teams according to their strengths and in their respective roles and plans for the NPC, following interactions rather than having Q: avenues and investigative skills into your work? a variety of topics. Woodlands East NPC’s Commanding experiences. Ad-hoc tasks and projects making their presence felt in their which we had a chat at a nearby agenda-focused conversations. to solve crimes. KP :My mentor had to undergo a Officer, Superintendent of Police are delegated to officers based on their assigned sectors. They are also cafe. We also ran together at KP :DAC Law is a role model for me, KP :Our sessions cover professional minor operation in May. During (Supt) Soh Puay Hwee, believes that abilities and skills they possess. New MacRitchie Reservoir. During and this programme has enabled The Community Policing Unit able to perform more proactive and personal boundaries, his recovery, he continued to a key success factor is the buy in he strategies and roles required of the our sessions, we talk about me to actively work towards that (CPU) officers focused on policing and checks at crime- including work-family spill-over show perseverance in executing obtained from every officer in the NPC. officers are also communicated clearly various subjects, ranging from goal in mind. I hope to continue developing their soft skills in prone areas. issues that we usually don’t his administrative duties & Every officer at the Woodlands East to the supervisors so that everyone in postings and career options to to learn from my mentor’s dealing with difficult customers discuss with direct supervisors managerial guidance as Deputy NPC has a clear idea of the NPC’s the NPC is clear about changes that individual interests and family. experience, knowledge and openly! This is to cultivate an Commander and mentor from mission, and the role they play to are made. management skills which will In addition to the sessions open, dynamic and reciprocal home. His actions and sharing KP : support my professional and Boosting Officers’ Morale sharing his humorous side. He said, mentioned by my mentor, I was relationship over the long term. reinforced my belief that as a personal development. Another success factor is the morale “When you show your human side, also able to witness him lead as leader in the Police Force, we it naturally makes a person more the parade commander during must prioritise and perform our of the officers under his charge. DAC Law, you were one of What does mentorship mean  As leaders, we should communicate the Police Day Parade 2014. Of Supt Soh keeps morale in his NPC approachable and easy to talk to, those mentored in a previous duties to the best of our abilities the many topics we discussed Q: to you? and delegate effectively in order high by praising and rewarding his especially when an officer needs run of the LMP. What did you despite the challenges we face. Q: throughout our sessions, the one AL :Growing together. officers for good work done through support and guidance.” learn then? I appreciate most is my mentor’s to achieve our targets and mission. personal encouragement and “Pat How do you feel about the KP :A learning journey. Despite the high tempo of operations candid sharing of his work-life AL :Mr Ang Hak Seng was my on the Back” vouchers. Officers are programme? Trust our officers in performing in an NPC, Supt Soh supports and effectiveness, daily routines and mentor then. I was very much Q: constantly engaged and updated of As a mentor, this programme respects his officers’ work-life balance. managing family time. In short, he involved in the operations AL : their progression and performance to has enabled me to consciously assigned roles and tasks. He is often flexible with time-off and drew comparison that a leader’s side of the house during that motivate them to do better. take time out of my schedule always encourages them to plan work is no different from parenting! time and his sharing from the Superintendent of Police Soh Puay Hwee Supt Soh believes in building good vacation leave early. This, he feels, Commanding Officer, Woodlands East NPC personal relationships with his officers would motivate his officers to put in through casual conversations and their utmost for the SPF.

Woodlands East Neighbourhood Police Centre SC Mok Wen Jie 14 POLICE LIFE POLICE LIFE 15

EARNEIGHT THE RIGHTOFFICERS TO DON

Afiq Fitri Bin Alias, By THE MARLIN BADGE Home Team News On 28 June 2014, eight officers finally earned the right to bear the Specialask T Squadron (STS) insignia on their uniforms after close to a year of intense training. Their training culminated in a joint exercise with officers from the Small Boat Division (SBD) of the Hong Kong Marine Police (HKMP). Home Team News brings you the highlights!

The STS is an elite unit of the PCG that and strengths and to further develop combats hostile threats in the waters operational and training capabilities. surrounding Singapore, effectively Officers from both units displayed making them guardians of the country’s their capabilities in exercises that seas. STS officers are trained to board revolved around boarding a hostile ships that host illegal immigrants vessel. Despite the language barrier, and heavily armed suspects, and to they worked in unison to overcome commandeer boats which can go up to the obstacles posed to them in the 40 knots in the water. exercise. These obstacles included On 28 June 2014, eight officers finally stealthily boarding a vessel, launching earned the right to bear the STS grapnel hooks, movement in a confined insignia on their uniforms after close to area and the breaching of doors using a year of intense training. Their training both powered and manual method of culminated in a joint exercise with entry (MOE) tools. officers from the Small Boat Division Upon successful boarding, the (SBD) of the Hong Kong Marine Police assaulters will use the wind up pole (HKMP). and caving ladder for boarding This joint exercise is a bi annual of uncooperative vessels. Using exchange between the STS and extendable wind up poles, officers can the HKMP which started in 2011 to launch grapnel hooks onto vessels and understand each other’s capabilities climb up the attached caving ladders.

Out of the eight officers, one stood out. Sergeant Michael (not his real name to protect the sensitive nature of the unit’s operations) was awarded Best Trainee for his performance throughout the course. “At the start we were like strangers but as time went by, we trained and went through the hard times together,” said the 27-year-old who first joined the Singapore Police Force in 2009. “Now we’re more like brothers.” ince 1994, the marlin has been According to Assistant Superintendent We have to be swift and decisive when “The final graduation exercise is the symbol used to represent the of Police (ASP) Desmond Ong, the something that is practised by all Special Task Squadron (STS) Commanding Officer (CO) of the we carry out our operations. The marlin graduating batches...this one is Sof the Police Coast Guard (PCG). The STS, the marlin’s speed perfectly different because they had to work marlin is known to be one of the fastest encapsulates what the STS does. represents what we do in terms of high with their foreign counterparts and they and most persistent fishes in the sea, “We have to be swift and decisive when were total strangers when they first capable of swimming up to speeds of speed interceptions. we carry out our operations,” he said. met two weeks ago,” said ASP Ong. 80 kilometers per hour. “The marlin represents what we do in “Our officers have proven themselves Assistant Superintendent of Police Desmond Ong terms of high speed interceptions.” Commanding Officer of the Special Task Squadron worthy of the STS insignia.”

Syed Abubakar Alsree, Home Team News