Police get high-tech nerve centre

A new 24-hour nerve centre for Singapore's police officers to monitor and respond to incidents was officially opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

The Police Operations Command Centre coordinates information received through various sources - including emergency 999 calls, the police hotline and the CrimeStopper online form - and manages the police's response, said a statement released by the police last night.

The centre is an upgraded version of the Singapore Police Force's Combined Operations Room, and will use more advanced technology to help the police better manage incidents in real time as well as prevent, deter and detect crime. Operations at the centre started last November.

"Our police officers don't carry little black notebooks around any more," PM Lee said in a Facebook post yesterday after launching the centre.

"They use IT and 3G comms, and are linked to the Police Operations Command Centre."

The centre's official opening, which was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean, was not open to the media over concerns of operational sensitivity.

The centre will also contain the Police HQ Incident Command Post, which is set up for major police operations, such as the recent funeral arrangements for Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

At the centre's launch, PM Lee spoke to some police officers who he said had "worked so hard to manage the huge crowds during the recent state funeral" of the elder Mr Lee.

He added: "Deeply appreciate their efforts to keep Singapore safe."

This article was first published on April 7, 2015.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.