Police posts go high-tech to boost cop patrols
West Coast residents with the found property drop-box installed at the new West Coast NPP. Other features include an e-kiosk and interactive tablets.
Yeo Sam Jo
The Sunday Times
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2013
SINGAPORE - Neighbourhood Police Posts (NPPs), introduced in Singapore some 30 years ago, are going high-tech in a bid to free up officers for more patrols.
The police yesterday unveiled three of its fully automated NPPs - West Coast, Radin Mas and Marsiling - that come complete with a slew of self-service features.
These include an e-kiosk with a touchscreen terminal that allows members of the public to report a crime or apply for a passport, among other things. They can also speak to a police officer who is stationed at the nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre, via video-conferencing if they need more help.
Automated drop-boxes for found property and interactive tablets that contain various apps of government agencies are also available to the public. Plus, they will be able to access these services around the clock at the three automated NPPs, compared with other posts, which close at 10pm every day.
The new facilities at the three NPPs will be tested for their effectiveness in serving both the young and old under a six-month pilot.
West Coast and Radin Mas NPPs were chosen because they serve mature estates with a greater proportion of senior citizens, while Marsiling residents are generally younger.
The police will gather and evaluate public feedback before making plans to revamp the remaining 60 NPPs.
This latest move is part of the Community Policing System rolled out last year, which has officers getting out of their patrol cars and NPPs to pound the beat on foot or bicycles, getting to know people who live and work in various neighbourhoods.
