POLICE PATROL CARS (Particulars)

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many normal police patrol cars there are to date; (b) whether the number is enough for police to carry out their duties speedily and efficiently; and (c) why all these patrol cars are not air-conditioned while all the highway patrol cars are.

Prof. Jayakumar: Sir, the Police have a total of 164 patrol cars which respond to calls for assistance. This number of patrol cars is considered adequate for the Police to carry out their duties both speedily and efficiently. The number of patrol cars available to attend to urgent cases will also be increased as non-urgent cases will now be assigned to NPP officers in constituencies where there are NPPs.

As for air-conditioning, approval was obtained in November 1987 for the patrol cars in the Land Divisions to be air-conditioned. The old cars, when condemned, will be replaced with air-conditioned cars.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, do these 164 patrol cars include unmarked police cars? If there are unmarked police cars in use, how many are there?

Prof. Jayakumar: Sir, it is not the practice of the Police to give details of marked and unmarked police cars.

Mr Chiam See Tong: In view of the security reasons, the Minister does not want to reveal the number. Are there unmarked police cars on patrol?

Prof. Jayakumar: Of course.