Retention of Face-to-face Services at Neighbourhood Police Centres and Inclusive Accessibility of Online Police Services for Elderly and Non-English Speakers
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms Sylvia Lim’s inquiry regarding the criteria for maintaining face-to-face services at Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPCs) for the elderly and tracking online service accessibility for non-English speakers. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam stated that deployment decisions for unmanned NPCs and Neighbourhood Police Posts (NPPs) are based on operational needs and infrastructure plans to optimize resources for crime-fighting. He explained that tracking specific accessibility is difficult, yet the Police remain sensitive to community needs, offering assistance at 33 NPCs and 64 NPPs islandwide. While over 70% of reports are lodged via self-help options, individuals at unmanned locations can still connect with officers via videocall for guidance. These officers can remotely lodge reports on behalf of the public to ensure essential services remain inclusive and accessible to all.
Transcript
41 Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what thresholds or benchmark considerations does the Ministry apply when determining if the concentration of the elderly population in geographic areas necessitates the retention of face-to-face services at Neighbourhood Police Centres; and (b) how does the Ministry track the accessibility of online Police services to the elderly and non-English speaking population.
Mr K Shanmugam: Decisions on the deployment of unmanned Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPCs) or Neighbourhood Police Posts (NPPs) take into consideration multiple factors, such as the Police's operational needs and infrastructure plans. These deployments are necessary to allow the Police to focus their limited resources on their crime-fighting mandate, without affecting Police presence or incident response.
Tracking the accessibility of online Police services to the elderly and non-English speaking population is challenging because tracking indicators cannot easily differentiate between assisted and unassisted access. That said, the Police engage these communities through various channels and are sensitive to their need to access essential policing services.
While more than 70% of all Police reports are already lodged through self-help options, those who require face-to-face assistance can be assisted at any of the 33 NPCs and 64 NPPs islandwide. Those who visit unmanned NPCs or NPPs can still speak with a Police officer through videocall if necessary, who can help guide the member of public through the process. The officer can also remotely lodge a Police report on behalf of the individual.