Channel NewsAsia 10 Sep 14;
SINGAPORE: The National Parks Board (NParks) is getting its rangers or enforcement officers to go for self-defence courses, in the wake of rising assault cases by members of public. The authority has put out a tender on the Government's procurement portal, GeBIZ, for vendors to run self-defence courses for rangers.
There were eight cases of assault recorded so far this year, up from two for the whole of last year, and seven from 2012. The Commissioner of Parks and Recreation at NParks, Dr Leong Chee Chiew, said in some cases, the officers had to be hospitalised.
"For instance, one of our officers was assaulted when she approached a group of six who littered at East Coast Park and declined to provide their particulars when requested. She sustained multiple injuries and had to be hospitalised," he said in a statement.
He described the move to get rangers to learn the art of self-defence as a "pre-emptive step", even though NParks has not seen an increasing trend in the number of cases in which its officers have encountered confrontational and abusive situations.
He said the authority wants to ensure NParks officers can protect themselves should they encounter verbal or physical abuse as they enforce rules against illegal fishing and littering in Singapore's parks, nature areas and park connectors.
Dr Leong added that NParks enforcement officers are already provided basic knowledge of self-defence, but the tender will give them a "more structured training programme". As a precaution, officers also have to carry out duties in pairs and carry cameras for documentation purposes.
- CNA/ly
NParks officers to undergo training in self-defence skills
Neo Chai Chin Today Online 14 Sep 14;
SINGAPORE — With its enforcement officers encountering verbal and physical abuse while on patrol — one had to be hospitalised after being attacked by litterbugs several years ago — the National Parks Board (NParks) is looking to beef up self-defence training for its enforcement unit.
Besides being taught to de-escalate situations, NParks enforcement officers will be trained to restrain and subdue violent individuals “quickly and effortlessly”, defend themselves when wrestled or tackled, and use unarmed defence tactics against armed assailants.
They will also be taught to use pressure points to control an aggressive person and apprehend such individuals using teamwork, “all while maintaining a professional bearing and presence”, said a tender document posted on GeBIZ, the government procurement website, last week.
Up to 24 officers may undergo the basic training on self-defence tactics, said the tender, which closes on Monday. The structured training programme is an enhancement to the basic knowledge of self-defence provided to all its enforcement officers, said NParks’ Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Leong Chee Chiew, who called the training a “pre-emptive step” to ensure staff members are able to protect themselves.
“All our enforcement officers are provided with the basic knowledge of self-defence. We are enhancing this by providing the enforcement team with a more structured training programme. This training programme also covers how our officers should respond to confrontational situations,” Dr Leong said.
NParks enforcement officers frequently patrol Singapore’s parks, nature areas and park connectors at different times of the day, including at night. They ensure these spots are safe for users and would be on the lookout for activities, such as illegal fishing or littering.
As a precaution, the officers conduct patrols in pairs and carry cameras for documentation.
Dr Leong said there has not been an increasing trend of confrontation and abuse encountered by its officers.
Seven cases were recorded in 2012, two cases were recorded last year and there have been eight cases so far this year. But in 2008, a female officer suffered multiple injuries and was hospitalised after being assaulted by a group of six litterbugs in East Coast Park who refused to provide their particulars when asked. The offenders were eventually charged in court.
Dr Leong did not reveal the size of NParks’ enforcement team, but said its staff in parks and nature reserves also take on enforcement duties when necessary.
“We value the well-being of all our officers and would like to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary skills to be able to carry out their duties safely,” he said. NEO CHAI CHIN
