Singapore: New team of police officers first to be equipped with off-road vehicles, drones on patrol
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): A specialist police unit has acquired a fleet of off-road vehicles to help officers navigate rough, unpaved terrain – and flood waters – to respond more quickly to public security incidents.
The cars will be used by the Protective Security Command's (ProCom) newly established strategic location response (SLR) teams, which were officially implemented on June 22.
The commander of ProCom, Assistant Commissioner of Police Victor Ho, said the aim is to strengthen the Singapore Police Force's (SPF) ability to respond more quickly and effectively to a wider range of public security incidents, such as terror attacks.
'Our officers will be patrolling key locations, including shopping centres and tourist spots, to deter and respond to any security threats,' he said.
While such patrols are a mainstay of ProCom operations, SLR officers are the first to be equipped with drones and counter-drone technology such as handheld drone jammers.
The new off-road vehicles – Land Rover Defender 110 – have been modified to accommodate this equipment and officers in tactical gear. They also have 360-degree camera systems, multiple airbags, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
SPF said it worked with HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency) to equip SLR officers with the handheld drone jammers, which 'allow them to disrupt... unauthorised drone operations'.
Strategic location response officers from the Protective Security Command demonstrating a handheld drone jammer. -- ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
These rifle-style jammers disrupt communications between a drone and its controller, preventing the drone from receiving commands.
SLR officers are tactically trained and more heavily armed, as they patrol strategic locations such as critical infrastructure, tourist attractions, and other public areas with high foot traffic.
In addition to bulletproof vests and helmets, they carry submachine guns.
AC Ho told The Straits Times that ProCom had decided to implement SLR teams in response to evolving security threats.
'The launch of SLR (teams) will complement ground response officers in dealing with public security incidents by providing aerial surveillance and counter drone capabilities,' he said.
'This will enable the officers to better manage incidents at the onset, as these enhanced capabilities will boost the officers' ability to attend to incidents swiftly and effectively.'
Assistant Superintendent of Police Jaslyn Lee, the officer in charge of a troop of SLR officers, said that compared with their predecessors, 'the new off-road vehicles offer a larger cabin space to accommodate our operational equipment and officers in tactical gear'.
She added: 'Its high ground clearance allows us to move through obstacles and respond swiftly to security incidents.'
A team of SLR officers showcased their abilities on June 22 at ProCom headquarters in Ulu Pandan, where they used a drone to track the movements of a 'gunman' on the third floor of a building during a simulated exercise.
The drone, equipped with a camera, revealed the 'gunman's' hiding place, even showing him in thermal imaging. An officer later demonstrated using a drone jammer gun to incapacitate a drone.
ProCom was formed in 2016 to protect strategic events and locations in peacetime and during national emergencies. - The Straits Times/ANN
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
RM1,000 hit job: Segamat fire death linked to Singapore debt scam, say Johor police
JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 13 — The death of a 72-year-old woman in a fire at Kampung Bukit Siput in Segamat on July 25 is believed to be linked to debts owed by her family to a Singapore-based debt scam syndicate. Johor police chief Ab Rahaman Arsad said investigations revealed that the victim's house was targeted by a man hired for RM1,000 by the syndicate to burn down the homes of borrowers who failed to settle their debts. The newly appointed state police chief said initial investigations by police and the Fire and Rescue Department found criminal elements at the scene. 'This prompted a special investigative team at the state police contingent level. 'Based on information and intelligence gathered over a week, investigators managed to arrest a 21-year-old local man and his 19-year-old girlfriend in Subang Jaya, Selangor. Both are believed to be the suspects,' he told reporters at the Johor police contingent headquarters here today. Also present were senior officers involved in the investigation. Ab Rahaman said items seized from the suspects included a Perodua Bezza car, mobile phones, gloves, lighters, pieces of cloth and oil drums. 'Further investigations found that the suspect had been active in committing treacherous crimes involving fire around Johor and Selangor since July. 'The debt scam syndicate is believed to be based in Singapore, but the operations were carried out by hired locals. 'The borrower in this case is a family member of the victim, but the victim herself never received any threats,' he said. Ab Rahaman said police have filed four investigation papers under the Penal Code. These include Section 304B for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, Section 436 for committing mischief by fire, and Section 507 for criminal intimidation. He said a total of 13 charges will be brought against the male suspect — nine at the Segamat Magistrate's Court on Friday, and the remaining four at the Johor Bahru Court once proceedings in Segamat are completed. 'Although two people were arrested, only the male suspect will be charged. The female suspect was released on bail as a prosecution witness,' he said.
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Police hunt suspect after premature baby boy found buried at Gua Musang PPR's playground
GUA MUSANG, Aug 13 — Police are tracking down a suspect linked to the discovery of a prematurely born baby boy buried at a playground here yesterday. Gua Musang police chief Supt Sik Choon Foo said the infant was found at a People's Housing Project (PPR) following a public tip-off at 10.30 pm. 'Initial investigations indicate the baby was born prematurely and is believed to have died several hours before being discovered,' he said in a statement today. The body, wrapped in a diaper and bearing traces of blood, was sent to the Forensic Unit at Gua Musang Hospital for a post-mortem. A teenager made the grim discovery after stepping on soft soil covering the baby's body. Sik urged anyone with information to contact the Gua Musang Police Station at 09-9121222 or the nearest police station. — Bernama
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Johor cops: 22 statements recorded in probe into UTM student's death during army training
JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 13 — Police have recorded statements from 22 individuals to assist in the investigation into the death of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) student Syamsul Haris Shamsudin. Johor police chief Comm Ab Rahaman Arsad said the individuals comprised doctors, as well as the victim's family members, friends and coaches. Speaking at a press conference at the state police contingent headquarters here today, he said police were still awaiting the full post-mortem report from Kota Tinggi Hospital to determine the cause of death. Ab Rahaman said the investigation paper was expected to be completed within a month before being referred to the Johor State Prosecution Department for further action. 'We will consult the Prosecution Department for advice and views on further steps in the investigation after the post-mortem, as this case has already come to the attention of Bukit Aman. 'It is understood that the Home Ministry has also requested for the matter (investigation) to be expedited, and we will obtain (the report) from the Chemistry Department as soon as possible,' he said. Syamsul Haris, 22, was reported to have died under suspicious circumstances while undergoing Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Reserve Officers Training Unit (PALAPES) training at the Army Basic Training Centre (PULADA), Ulu Tiram, here. The second-semester Bachelor of Cyber Security student, who was the eldest of three siblings, began training on July 26, which was scheduled to end on Aug 3. Earlier, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced the formation of a joint investigation committee comprising the defence, higher education, and home ministries. The mother of the late Syamsul Haris, Ummu Haiman Bee Daulatgun, on Monday urged that the investigation into the cause of death be conducted transparently and fairly, and also called for a second autopsy to be carried out immediately. — Bernama
