Neighbourhood Police Centre
Encyclopedia
A neighbourhood police centre (NPC) is a mid-sized police station
in Singapore
, introduced in 1997 to replace the Singapore Police Force
's Neighbourhood Police Post (NPP) system. Based similarly on the concepts of community policing and modelled after the kōban
system in Japan
, it allows for police officers on the ground to perform more duties, particularly investigative work, which was previously in the hands of division-based officers.
Pooling the NPPs into larger entities known as NPCs was thus proposed as a solution, although it was not meant to completely replace NPPs. About two thirds of NPPs were planned to be retained so as to maintain convenience to the general public, although many will no longer operate round the clock. An intercom system was introduced to overcome this should public assistance be needed when the NPP is closed. With a larger pool of officers and resources, each NPC was able to provide more services in one location with the aim of reducing the time needed to close each case. Each NPC Officer was also expected to handle not only front-line duties, but also basic investigation work and administrative duties. NPCs would directly liaise with the community for joint programmes and operations within their jurisdiction. This was also helped by having some NPCs sharing the same building with other community agencies, such as Community Centre
s.
In 1997, plans were drawn up the roll out the NPC system across the country over four phases. The Pilot Phase was introduced in Clementi Police Division
in October 1997, with the building of three NPCs. The first NPC, Queenstown Neighbourhood Police Centre, was opened at a temporary site opposite Queenstown MRT Station
on 1 October 1997, and officially opened by Mr Wong Kan Seng
, Minister for Home Affairs, on 20 December 1997. The first phase was planned to be implemented in February 1999 to cover the West Region
with six NPCs, the second phase by October 1999 covering the East
and North-East
Eegions with 12 NPCs, and the third phase in the Central Region
with 11 NPCs by July 2000. There would thus be 32 NPCs, and the number of NPPs would be reduced from 91 in 1997 to 66 by 2000.
During the implementation of the plan, several refinements were made, including an abandonment of the planned replacement of the Land Divisions with Regional Commands, and a review of the organisational setup within the NPCs. The roll-out faced a discernible level of public discontent, many of whom were still unaware of the NPC system despite extensive publicity efforts by the police. The primary concern was over the closure of NPPs within their neighbourhoods, and the reduced operation hours of retained NPPs.
Nonetheless, all 32 NPCs were successfully opened, although some were delayed due to slower urban development in some areas than expected. The 32nd NPC, Sengkang Neighbourhood Police Centre in Sengkang New Town
had its opening delayed until 4 October 2004. More NPCs are planned for areas slated for development, including Punggol
, Seletar
and Simpang
.
, with the exception of the Central Region
which will be served by two Commands, namely Central East and Central West. This plan was, however, abolished, and the Land Division system retained, although one of them, Geylang Police Division, was closed and absorbed into Ang Mo Kio
and Bedok
divisions in December 2000. New NPCs were thus organised within the existing Land Divisional structure, with only minor adjustments to division borders. As a result, some Divisions are much larger than others in terms of number of NPCs under their command, with Ang Mo Kio Police Division having eight NPCs while Central Police Division has two.
NPCs differ from NPPs, in that the former have boundaries broadly aligned with that of their respective Development Guide Plan
s (or planning areas
) drawn up by the Urban Redevelopment Authority
, as opposed to the later which was based on electoral divisions. NPC boundaries are permanent, while NPP boundaries may change each election
should there be a review of electoral boundaries. Planning areas with higher demographies may have two NPCs, namely in Ang Mo Kio
, Bedok
, Bukit Merah
, Jurong West
and Yishun
, while smaller planning areas may be combined and served by a single NPC, such as in the Central Area
.
Each NPC is headed by a Commanding Officer
(CO), with the assistance of an Operations Officer (OO). The pool of officers in the NPC, known as neighbourhood police centre officers (NPCOs) are grouped into four Teams, each headed by a Team Leader
(TL) and assisted by a Deputy Team Leader (DTL). The CO and OO are Senior police officer positions, while the TLs may be either Senior Officers or Police Officers typically of the rank of Station Inspector
and above. The DTL may be any officer of the rank of Staff Sergeant
and above.
Police station
A police station or station house is a building which serves to accommodate police officers and other members of staff. These buildings often contain offices and accommodation for personnel and vehicles, along with locker rooms, temporary holding cells and interview/interrogation rooms.- Facilities...
in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, introduced in 1997 to replace the Singapore Police Force
Singapore Police Force
The Singapore Police Force is the main agency tasked with maintaining law and order in the city-state. Formerly known as the Republic of Singapore Police , it has grown from an 11-man organisation to a 38,587 strong force...
's Neighbourhood Police Post (NPP) system. Based similarly on the concepts of community policing and modelled after the kōban
Koban
Koban may refer to:, Japanese neighborhood police substation, sometimes called a "police box", a former Japanese oval gold coin* Koban culture, a Central North Caucasian culture circa 1100 to 400 BC...
system in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, it allows for police officers on the ground to perform more duties, particularly investigative work, which was previously in the hands of division-based officers.
History
The neighbourhood police centre (NPC) is a result of a review of the Neighbourhood Police Post (NPP) system initiated in 1996. While the NPP has helped to reduce crime rates since its introduction in 1983, and perceived positively by the general public, it was limited in its ability to offer greater convenience to the community due to their limited size and scope of duties in individual posts. The high number of NPPs entailed extensive resources spread over many installations, putting pressure on limited resources available to the police, particularly in terms of manpower. The limited scope of the NPP system was also seen as being less optimal in maximising the operational capabilities of individual police officers, and affecting its abilities to retain talent.Pooling the NPPs into larger entities known as NPCs was thus proposed as a solution, although it was not meant to completely replace NPPs. About two thirds of NPPs were planned to be retained so as to maintain convenience to the general public, although many will no longer operate round the clock. An intercom system was introduced to overcome this should public assistance be needed when the NPP is closed. With a larger pool of officers and resources, each NPC was able to provide more services in one location with the aim of reducing the time needed to close each case. Each NPC Officer was also expected to handle not only front-line duties, but also basic investigation work and administrative duties. NPCs would directly liaise with the community for joint programmes and operations within their jurisdiction. This was also helped by having some NPCs sharing the same building with other community agencies, such as Community Centre
Community centre
Community centres or community centers or jumping recreation centers are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole community or for a specialised group within...
s.
In 1997, plans were drawn up the roll out the NPC system across the country over four phases. The Pilot Phase was introduced in Clementi Police Division
Clementi Police Division
The Clementi Police Division is a police division of the Singapore Police Force. Covering the south-wested parts of Singapore, it controls an area of about 70 square kilometres which includes all or part of Bukit Merah, Bukit Timah, Clementi, Queenstown, Jurong East, as well as off-shore islands...
in October 1997, with the building of three NPCs. The first NPC, Queenstown Neighbourhood Police Centre, was opened at a temporary site opposite Queenstown MRT Station
Queenstown MRT Station
Queenstown MRT Station ' is an above-ground Mass Rapid Transit station on the East West MRT Line in Singapore. It is located in the Queenstown district and is sandwiched between the 38-storey Queens condominium and the new 43-storey HDB flats on the opposite side of the track...
on 1 October 1997, and officially opened by Mr Wong Kan Seng
Wong Kan Seng
Wong Kan Seng is a politician from Singapore. A member of the governing People's Action Party , he served as the country's Deputy Prime Minister from 2005 to 2011...
, Minister for Home Affairs, on 20 December 1997. The first phase was planned to be implemented in February 1999 to cover the West Region
West Region, Singapore
The West Region of Singapore is one of the five regions in the city-state. Comprising 25,500 hectares of land area, it is the largest of all regions, it includes twelve urban planning areas and has at least a population of over 1 million. As its name implies, it is the westernmost region of Singapore...
with six NPCs, the second phase by October 1999 covering the East
East Region, Singapore
The East Region of Singapore is one of the five regions in the city-state. It includes six urban planning areas. As its name implies, it is the easternmost region of Singapore.The land area is about 11,000 hectares.-Urban planning areas in East Region:...
and North-East
North-East Region, Singapore
The North-East Region of Singapore is one of the five regions in the city-state. It includes seven urban planning areas. As its name implies, it is located in the north-eastern part of Singapore.The land area is about 13,810 hectares....
Eegions with 12 NPCs, and the third phase in the Central Region
Central Region, Singapore
The Central Region of Singapore is one of the five regions in the city-state. Comprising 13,150 hectares of land area, it includes 11 Planning Areas within the Central Area which is the immediate vicinity of the Singapore's central business district, as well as another 11 more outside it.Although...
with 11 NPCs by July 2000. There would thus be 32 NPCs, and the number of NPPs would be reduced from 91 in 1997 to 66 by 2000.
During the implementation of the plan, several refinements were made, including an abandonment of the planned replacement of the Land Divisions with Regional Commands, and a review of the organisational setup within the NPCs. The roll-out faced a discernible level of public discontent, many of whom were still unaware of the NPC system despite extensive publicity efforts by the police. The primary concern was over the closure of NPPs within their neighbourhoods, and the reduced operation hours of retained NPPs.
Nonetheless, all 32 NPCs were successfully opened, although some were delayed due to slower urban development in some areas than expected. The 32nd NPC, Sengkang Neighbourhood Police Centre in Sengkang New Town
Sengkang New Town
Sengkang New Town is a relatively young satellite residential town in the city-state of Singapore. Originally a fishing village, the area is presently undergoing rapid development under the ambition of the Housing and Development Board to transform it into a "21st century township". The town now...
had its opening delayed until 4 October 2004. More NPCs are planned for areas slated for development, including Punggol
Punggol
Punggol, or Ponggol, is a neighbourhood in northeastern Singapore. Presently, much of Punggol is undeveloped, although plans to turn the area into a residential new town under the "Punggol 21" initiative have begun to take place in the south-eastern parts of the area bordering neighbouring...
, Seletar
Seletar
Seletar is an area of Singapore within its North-East Region. Seletar commonly refers to the areas south of Yishun and west of Sungei Punggol, covering Yio Chu Kang near Jalan Kayu , the Lower Seletar Reservoir and part of Upper Thomson .The Seletar Planning Area, an urban planning zone under the...
and Simpang
Simpang
Simpang is an area on the north side of Singapore. It is located at the northeast part of Yishun Town. To the north of Simpang is Pulau Seletar....
.
Organisation
Initial roll-out plans for the NPCs entailed the creation of six Regional Commands, which are to replace the existing seven Land Divisions. The Regional Commands of East, North, North East, and West, were aligned to the URA's planning regionsRegions of Singapore
The regions of Singapore are urban planning subdivisions demarcated by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore to aid in its planning efforts. Over time, however, these 5 regions have also been adopted by other governmental organizations in their administrative work, such as their usage in...
, with the exception of the Central Region
Central Region, Singapore
The Central Region of Singapore is one of the five regions in the city-state. Comprising 13,150 hectares of land area, it includes 11 Planning Areas within the Central Area which is the immediate vicinity of the Singapore's central business district, as well as another 11 more outside it.Although...
which will be served by two Commands, namely Central East and Central West. This plan was, however, abolished, and the Land Division system retained, although one of them, Geylang Police Division, was closed and absorbed into Ang Mo Kio
Ang Mo Kio Police Division
The Ang Mo Kio Police Division is a police division of the Singapore Police Force. With its headquarters at 51 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9, it has eight Neighbourhood Police Centres and eight Neighbourhood Police Posts under its jurisdiction...
and Bedok
Bedok Police Division
The Bedok Police Division is a police division of the Singapore Police Force. Based in the eastern part of Singapore, its headquarters is located at 30 Bedok North Road, operating a total of seven Neighbourhood Police Centres and 17 Neighbourhood Police Posts spread across the Bedok, Changi,...
divisions in December 2000. New NPCs were thus organised within the existing Land Divisional structure, with only minor adjustments to division borders. As a result, some Divisions are much larger than others in terms of number of NPCs under their command, with Ang Mo Kio Police Division having eight NPCs while Central Police Division has two.
NPCs differ from NPPs, in that the former have boundaries broadly aligned with that of their respective Development Guide Plan
Development Guide Plan
A Development Guide Plan is a detailed urban land use plan for each of the 55 areas in Singapore designated by the Urban Redevelopment Authority , Singapore's national planning and conservation authority.-History:...
s (or planning areas
Urban planning areas in Singapore
Singapore is currently divided into 55 urban planning areas by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, organised into five regions. A Development Guide Plan is then drawn up for each planning area, providing for detailed planning guidelines for every individual plot of land throughout the country.The...
) drawn up by the Urban Redevelopment Authority
Urban Redevelopment Authority
The Urban Redevelopment Authority is the national urban planning authority of Singapore, and a statutory board under the Ministry of National Development of the Singapore Government.-Mission:The authority was established on 1 April 1974, and is of especially critical importance to the city-state,...
, as opposed to the later which was based on electoral divisions. NPC boundaries are permanent, while NPP boundaries may change each election
Elections in Singapore
There are currently two types of elections in Singapore: parliamentary and presidential elections.While the Constitution of Singapore does not specify exactly when elections need to be held, Parliamentary or General Elections are generally 5 years apart, while Presidential elections are generally...
should there be a review of electoral boundaries. Planning areas with higher demographies may have two NPCs, namely in Ang Mo Kio
Ang Mo Kio
Ang Mo Kio（宏茂桥） is a heartland new town located in north central Singapore, and is generally within the North-East Region. It contains many of the common features of the island nation's neighbourhoods, e.g. hawker centres, wet markets and HDB housing blocks. Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien...
, Bedok
Bedok
Bedok is a neighbourhood in the eastern part of Singapore. Bedok New Town is the fifth Housing and Development Board new town; its development started in April 1973 and continued over some 15 years....
, Bukit Merah
Bukit Merah
Bukit Merah is a hill in Singapore. Previously, it was a much larger hill that was situated at the present site of Henderson housing estate, which lies opposite the Delta Sports Complex. There was a Chinese cemetery on the reverse side of the hill. The present Bukit Merah Secondary School and...
, Jurong West
Jurong West
Jurong West is a neighbourhood in Singapore, bounded by the Pan Island Expressway, the eastern edge of Jurong Camp, Boon Lay Way, Corporation Road, Fourth Chin Bee Road, International Road, Corporation Road, Ayer Rajah Expressway, Yuan Ching Road, Boon Lay Way, and along a Canal leading into Jurong...
and Yishun
Yishun
Yishun, or Nee Soon as it was initially named, is a suburban town in the northern part of Singapore, encompassing the Yishun Planning Area, in the North Region, which includes Yishun New Town and the Nee Soon private residential estate....
, while smaller planning areas may be combined and served by a single NPC, such as in the Central Area
Central Area
In Singapore, the Central Area or Central Business District contains the core financial and commercial districts, including eleven urban planning areas, namely Downtown Core, Marina East, Marina South, Museum, Newton, Orchard, Outram, River Valley, Rochor, Singapore River and Straits View as...
.
Each NPC is headed by a Commanding Officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
(CO), with the assistance of an Operations Officer (OO). The pool of officers in the NPC, known as neighbourhood police centre officers (NPCOs) are grouped into four Teams, each headed by a Team Leader
Team leader
A team leader or team lead is someone who provides guidance, instruction, direction, leadership to a group of other individuals for the purpose of achieving a key result or group of aligned results. The team lead reports to a project manager...
(TL) and assisted by a Deputy Team Leader (DTL). The CO and OO are Senior police officer positions, while the TLs may be either Senior Officers or Police Officers typically of the rank of Station Inspector
Station Inspector
Station Inspector is the third highest non-commissioned officer rank in the Singapore Police Force, below that of Senior Station Inspector....
and above. The DTL may be any officer of the rank of Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
and above.