Article in the newspaper
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Saw this article in "Today" newpaper under the forum section.
The reader identified himself as VSC. Is this allowed?
I mean, I thought soldiers and policemen are not supposed to communicate with the press?
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TODAY, 7 Apr 2005
Nabbing a cop's gun not easy
Police are well-trained in unarmed combat while lanyards secure pistols
Letter from Lai Seow Hiang
I refer to the letter, "Armed police officers at food centres raises concerns" by Mr Steve K Ngo (April 5). The writer is appalled by armed police officers queuing up to buy food, citing security, image and disciplinary issues.
I am a member of the volunteer police constabulary. So, I think I am qualified to speak as a member of the public just like Mr Ngo, but with the added knowledge of how policemen operate.
Mr Ngo mentioned that he has seen policemen queuing up with other patrons in crowded outlets during peak hours and that was the root of his concern.
His statement showed that policemen are disciplined enough to queue up to
buy food to take back to their station to eat, instead of cutting the queue and expecting to be served first.
He mentioned that policemen's pistols are not loaded. That is factually wrong.
He also mentioned that if someone attempted to snatch such a weapon, a potentially dangerous situation could result.
I am puzzled. Who in the right frame of mind would want to go snatch a policeman's weapon?
I can tell you that all policemen are trained in unarmed combat as well as how to use the T-baton.
They have to pass these two modules before they can pass out from the Police Academy. Yearly tests are conducted to ensure that policemen are competent to defend themselves as well as to protect the public at large.
The pistol is secured by a lanyard to the policeman's belt. So, there is no question of somebody snatching the pistol away.
Mr Ngo also stated that he has seen officers parking police cars by the roadside or in non-designated parking areas while they are buying food.
I am quite surprised that he was lucky enough to see such incidents and on many occasions at that.
I do know that drivers of police vehicles take great pains to park in designated car park lots when buying food.
Perhaps, he can share with the Police Public Affairs Department the details of where he saw such incidents.
We should be grateful that Singapore is a relatively safe place to live in today, due to the collective efforts of the Home team and other security agencies.
Perhaps, Mr Ngo would like to consider contributing from within and apply to serve as a volunteer in the Home team, if he qualifies, instead of expending his energy over issues such as policemen buying food. -
Muahahaaa!!!!!
He should have visited this forum. Anyway, I am quite interested to see the original letter of complaint? -
Haha.. for all we know, the writer of the original complaint letter could well be one of those from this forum who attacked the police for anyhow parking during lunchtime.Originally posted by huaiwei:Muahahaaa!!!!!
He should have visited this forum. Anyway, I am quite interested to see the original letter of complaint? -
Yeah and who noes....the person who wrote the rebuttal was....
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mus be he wanna park roadside then see police car then cannot park then he not happy
haha! -
Here's a follow-up in today's issue:
TODAY, 8 Apr 2005
Cops trained to guard their guns
I refer to Mr Steve Ngo's letter, "Armed police officers at food centres raise concerns" (April 5).
Mr Ngo had expressed concern about the potentially dangerous situation that could arise should someone snatch a police officer's firearm when he is queuing up for food with other patrons at crowded food centres.
We would like to reassure Mr Ngo that our officers are trained to keep their firearms safe and secured. As an additional safeguard, their revolvers are secured in snatch-resistant holsters.
As for officers parking their cars by the roadside and non-designated parking areas, our officers are subjected to the same traffic laws as others.
Unless attending to an urgent case where speed is critical and there is a lack of parking space, officers are required to park their vehicles in proper carpark lots.
Thus, officers stopping at the food centre for their meals should park at proper carpark lots.
Our officers are guided by rules and regulations to ensure that their conduct and behaviour in public are appropriate and professional at all times.
Members of public can contact our Service Improvement Unit at 1800 358 0000 should they see any officer behaving inappropriately or any police vehicle parked indiscriminately while officers are not on official business.
We will look into the matter and take appropriate action.
Letter from Tristan Sim
Assistant Police Director (Media Relations)
Singapore Police Force -
The letter which started it all:
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TODAY, 5 Apr 2005
Armed police officers at food centres raises concerns
I have observed that many armed police officers visit food centres to buy food, especially in the heartland.
I have seen them queue up with other patrons in crowded outlets during peak hours and this is the root of my concern.
While their pistols may not be loaded, if someone attempted to snatch a weapon from one of them, a potentially dangerous situation could result.
Beyond the matter of security, there are image and disciplinary issues to consider. On many occasions, I have seen officers park police cars by the roadside or in non-designated parking areas, as if they were carrying out official duties.
While I can appreciate that police officers need to eat, I question whether their conduct at food centres is appropriate.
Steve K Ngo -
Dunno why some people cannot think logically. Haiz...
- Police buy lunch faster
- So, Police finish lunch faster
- Therefore, more time to help you keep the neighbourhood safe. -
Actually can someone tell me the logic of why anyone would snatch a cop's gun at a crowded hawker centre?
Wait too long in queue buay ta han ah? -
they think POs all 'pao' Super Cereal drink can last for a shift liao mah....no need makan.
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Sometimes, pople just like to complain for no reason...
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maybe next time SPF will have food catering services
bian dang for everyone
by singapore food industries of cos
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How about husband and wife quarrel in the hawker center.Originally posted by huaiwei:Actually can someone tell me the logic of why anyone would snatch a cop's gun at a crowded hawker centre?
Wait too long in queue buay ta han ah?
Wife not happy, grab a chopper from the stall.
Husband look around, and grab the policeman's gun?? -
Ic. All knives should be banned from hawker centres. They arent safe. Someone write to the press please?
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Wah this idea mooted alot of times liao leh.Originally posted by FireIce:maybe next time SPF will have food catering services
bian dang for everyone
by singapore food industries of cos But erm...matas can be picky.... -
ha, imagine how many NPCs....SFI gonna waste alot of $ on mileage. unless they cook in NPC or DHQs...then the POs must have ezlink card, tap liao then can collect food.Originally posted by huaiwei:Wah this idea mooted alot of times liao leh. But erm...matas can be picky.... -
It they get SFI I am going to quit.Originally posted by chunyong:ha, imagine how many NPCs....SFI gonna waste alot of $ on mileage. unless they cook in NPC or DHQs...then the POs must have ezlink card, tap liao then can collect food. -
I dont mind... will save alot... then i can upgrade my car as well..Originally posted by FireIce:maybe next time SPF will have food catering services
bian dang for everyone
by singapore food industries of cos -
agreedOriginally posted by Drain-V-:Sometimes, pople just like to complain for no reason... -
if that happens... i will resign tmr already... let those dumb complainers do the jobOriginally posted by chunyong:ha, imagine how many NPCs....SFI gonna waste alot of $ on mileage. unless they cook in NPC or DHQs...then the POs must have ezlink card, tap liao then can collect food. -
Contradiction leh. First you say you dont mind coz can save money. Then you say you will quit if it happens. What talking you...
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If free i dont mind.. if i have to pay i resign... hmmm... that is why two different post ....
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Nah.. I don't think you will quit unless you get into the regular forceOriginally posted by huaiwei:It they get SFI I am going to quit. -
Seems like the chances of you resigning quite high leh.Originally posted by houndy:If free i dont mind.. if i have to pay i resign... hmmm... that is why two different post ....
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Duno what you talking also leh.Originally posted by malcolmloke:Nah.. I don't think you will quit unless you get into the regular force