More Police NSmen to be deployed to frontline

SINGAPORE: More Police National Servicemen (NSmen) will be deployed to the frontline to take on larger and more challenging roles.

They will join their regular counterparts in crime—fighting, security and law and order efforts, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean at the presentation ceremony of the Home Team National Service Awards.

The announcement came as the government expects a two per cent fall annually in the number of NS enlistees from 2016 due to the declining Singaporean population.

Mr Teo noted that full—time NSmen already make up the majority of the Public Transport Security Command unit.

He said the Singapore Police Force is reviewing the Police National Service to better make use of the potential and capabilities of NSmen.

Mr Teo said: "To ensure that this does not adversely affect the day—to—day operations of the Home Team, we are studying ways to optimise the deployment of our NS personnel. And the way the Home Team operates in future will allow NSmen to contribute in more meaningful ways."

Similarly, he said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is reviewing its NS framework to more effectively deploy and better prepare its NSmen and full—time NSmen for new challenges.

Mr Teo said since April this year, Operationally Ready SCDF NSmen have been assigned to fire stations and are deployed along with regulars and full—time NSFs to respond to fire and rescue incidents during their In—Camp—Training.

Previously, NSmen in SCDF were only activated to handle major emergencies such as the collapse of a building.

Mr Teo said the ministry is studying ways to optimise the deployment of Home Team NSmen to ensure the declining numbers do not adversely affect its operations.

— CNA/fa