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?
----
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.
