Singapore bolsters police capabilities with cutting-edge tech

A specialist police unit has acquired a fleet of off-road vehicles to help officers navigate rough, unpaved terrain – and flood waters – to respond more quickly to public security incidents.

The cars will be used by the Protective Security Command’s (ProCom) newly established strategic location response (SLR) teams, which were officially implemented on June 22.

The commander of ProCom, Assistant Commissioner of Police Victor Ho, said the aim is to strengthen the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) ability to respond more quickly and effectively to a wider range of public security incidents, such as terror attacks.

While such patrols are a mainstay of ProCom operations, SLR officers are the first to be equipped with drones and counter-drone technology such as handheld drone jammers.

The new off-road vehicles – the Land Rover Defender 110 – have been modified to accommodate this equipment and officers in tactical gear. They also have 360-degree camera systems, multiple airbags, and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

SPF said it worked with HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency) to equip SLR officers with the handheld drone jammers, which “allow them to disrupt... unauthorised drone operations”.

SLR officers are tactically trained and more heavily armed as they patrol strategic locations such as critical infrastructure, tourist attractions and other public areas with high foot traffic. In addition to bulletproof vests and helmets, they carry submachine guns.

Ho said the launch of SLR will complement ground response officers in dealing with public security incidents by providing aerial surveillance and counter-drone capabilities.

ProCom was formed in 2016 to protect strategic events and locations in peacetime and during national emergencies./.

VNA