COMMUNITY POLICE TRAINING IN THE SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE / PATRICIA LEE POH KENG

Abstract

It has been a decade since the concept of community policing was introduced in the policing strategy of the Singapore Police Force (SPF). This decade (1983-1993) marks the hallmark of success for the Neighbourhood Police Post (NPP) - a cornerstone of community policing in the SPF. Over the last decade, the role of a Police Officer in the SPF has been enhanced from that of a crime-fighter to that of a friend and counsellor of the community. Today, with the ten-year success of the NPP System, community policing takes on a new dimension - that of enhanced community policing. A Police Officer in the SPF is now a problem solver in the community. Enhanced community policing extends beyond the housing estates to incorporate the involvement of government bodies and private agencies in crime prevention. The purpose of this academic exercise is to consider the importance of training in the SPF in preparing a police officer for the various roles he has to play - as a crime-fighter, friend, counsellor and problem solver in the community. It seeks to examine the effectiveness of training over the last decade in developing a police officer's knowledge, skills and attitude in community relations work. Chapter One of the academic exercise defines the objectives, nature and benefits of community policing in the light of the changing role of the SPF in community policing. Chapter Two gives an overall view of the Training Department responsible for the design and conduct of the community policing courses and the various co munity policing courses available, with special emphasis on the Neighbourhood Police Post Course. There are two ways of evaluating the NPP Course. Chapter Three will analyse the relevance of its course content and the effectiveness of the training methodology in relation to the job requirements of a Neighbourhood Police Post Officer. Chapter Four will evaluate the NPP Course from the results of the trainees’ feedback on the course. Chapter Five will give an overall assessment of the NPP Course and propose recommendations to further improve future Neighbourhood Police Post Courses. The findings in this academic exercise show that the SPF has been fairly effective in training a Police Officer in community relations work. However, in view of the fact that the Police has taken on an enhanced role in community policing, the scope of community police training needs to be widened so as to better equip the Police Officer with the necessary knowledge and skills for community-oriented policing.