The Protective Security Command (ProCom) is a specialist

counter-terrorist Counterterrorism (also spelled counter-terrorism), also known as anti-terrorism, incorporates the practices, military tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, law enforcement, business, and intelligence agencies use to combat or el ...

police unit of the

Singapore Police Force The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is the national and principal law enforcement agency responsible for the prevention of crime and law enforcement in the Republic of Singapore. It is the country's lead agency against organised crime; human, wea ...

(SPF). ProCom was formed to build up Singapore Police Force's public security capabilities and project police presence at security-sensitive locations. On 8 July 2016, the unit was commissioned. An evolving public security landscape and the changing demographics of Singapore created the impetus for the transformation of the Key Installations Command (KINS), which was once part of the Police National Service Department (PNSD), into ProCom, a stand-alone specialist line unit involved in Singapore Police Force's fight against terrorism. The unit has the largest group of Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) and Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) in the Singapore Police Force.

History

On 8 July 2016, ProCom was formed to protect security sensitive locations and to provide security coverage at key national events such as the annual

National Day Parade The National Day Parade (NDP) is an annual parade held in Singapore to commemorate its independence. Held annually on 9 August, it is the main public celebration of National Day, consists of a parade incorporating contingents of the Singapo ...

. On 1 December 2017, In-Situ Reaction Teams (IRTs) were formed as an elite unit within the command to complement existing Ground Response Force teams and Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) as a "Wave 0" response to terror attacks. They are deployed in popular areas across Singapore such as Orchard Road and Marina Bay. In July 2020, ProCom officers were deployed to ensure the safety of voters at polling centres island-wide during the 2020 Singaporean general elections.

Manpower & equipment

ProCom draws its manpower from regular police officers, as well as conscripted Full-Time National Servicemen (NSF) resources. All officers are trained to use the

Heckler & Koch MP5 The Heckler & Koch MP5 (german: Maschinenpistole 5) is a 9x19mm Parabellum submachine gun, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch. There are over 100 variants and clones of the MP5, ...

sub-machine gun as well as the

M4 carbine The M4 carbine (officially Carbine, Caliber 5.56 mm, M4) is a 5.56×45mm NATO, gas-operated, magazine-fed carbine developed in the United States during the 1980s. It is a shortened version of the M16A2 assault rifle. The M4 is extensively ...

, in addition to the force-wide standard

Taurus Model 85 The Taurus Model 85 is a small-frame revolver manufactured by Taurus International. In the United States, the guns are marketed for concealed carry and personal protection. Specifications The Model 85 is available in several configurations. Th ...

revolver, though Taurus revolver was phased out for

Glock 19 Glock is a brand of polymer- framed, short recoil-operated, locked-breech semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Austrian manufacturer Glock Ges.m.b.H. The firearm entered Austrian military and police service by 1982 after it was the ...

to be used as force-wide handgun.

Operations

ProCom officers currently operate in groups of at least 4 officers and are deployed across the island. They cover five main duties: Strategic Location Protection (SLP), In-Situ Reaction Teams (IRT), Event Security (ES), and Protection of Installations (POI).

References

{{Singapore Police Force Counterterrorism in Singapore Singapore Police Force