OPERATING HOURS OF NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE POSTS

OPERATING HOURS OF NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE POSTS

25.

Ms Braema Mathiaparanam asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) why are the operating hours at the Neighbourhood Police Post changed; (b) what is the nature of the one in four police reports received from the public during the previous operating hours; (c) what are the savings, if any, in making this operational hour change; and (d) how many officers will be deployed at NPPs during the new operational hours of 12 noon to 10 pm.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: With effect from 5th April 2004 , the operating hours of Neighbourhood Police Posts or NPPs were changed from noon till 10 pm daily.

Ms Braema Mathi asked why we changed the operating hours. The change was part of Police's ongoing efforts to optimise the deployment of its officers to deal more effectively with crime and potential terrorist threats. Our records over the last five years show that demand for services at the NPPs has dropped by half. Many people now go to one of the 31 Neighbourhood Police Centres instead, as these provide a broader range of services and are open round-the-clock. Our records also show that 75% of the transactions at the NPPs take place between noon and 10 pm . It therefore makes sense to change the operating hours to cater to this demand pattern.

With this change in NPP operating hours, we can now put 65 more officers on active neighbourhood patrols, instead of having them at the NPPs. A more mobile police will more effectively project police presence on the ground, for example, at markets and other high-traffic areas to deter crime. At night, these officers can be deployed to patrol crime-prone areas and conduct anti-crime patrols and ambushes.

Ms Mathi asked about the nature of the transactions at the NPPs. The vast majority of transactions at NPPs are not urgent or critical. These include changes of addresses, lost and found reports, and traffic reports.

For urgent matters, the public should contact the Police using the 999 hotline. In addition, when the NPPs are closed, the public can use the Emergency Communications System found outside the NPPs or go to any of the 31 Neighbourhood Police Centres.

Ms Mathi asked about the savings resulting from this change in the operating hours. This change is to enhance operational effectiveness, not secure manpower savings.

Lastly, Ms Mathi asked about the number of officers stationed at the Neighbourhood Police Posts during the new opening hours. The number remains unchanged. We will continue to have at least one officer stationed at every Neighbourhood Police Post during opening hours. Additional officers will be present as and when required.