A Date With COPs

Nestled between the view of towering HDB flats, it would be easy to miss the normally quaint and serene background of Bukit Batok Community Club. On 9th November 2014 however, such an occurence would be unlikely. Marking the launch of Bukit Batok Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC)'s roll out of Community Policing System, music ripped through the air, filling the atmosphere with a rhapsody of elation.

            First launched in May 2012, COPS is a transformation of the NPC policing model that builds on the success of Police’s community policing strategy and brings the Police closer to the community. 

            True to the spirit of strengthening ties and partnership with the community, Bukit Batok NPC partnered with no less than five NPCC units under its jurisdiction to partake in the grandeur. Led by Yusof Ishak Secondary School's NPCC unit, four other units consisting of Bukit View Secondary School, Dunearn Secondary School, Swiss Cottage Secondary school and Hillgrove Secondary School worked together to execute a precision drill performance for the audience.

            Toiling through hours of rigorous training, the cadets persevered through the momentum of footdrills and worked hard at putting up a fine display. Congratulating their hard work, the cheers by the crowd and the smile of Mdm. Halimah Yaacob, Singapore's Parliamentary Speaker, acted as a motivational factor for the cadets to continue serving the corps with pride.

            Strategically, the move by Bukit Batok NPC to involve NPCC in its ongoing plans and operations further reinforces the importance of building partnerships between the two bodies. Echoing NPCC's mission to work in partnership with Singapore Police Force to fight crime and keep Singapore safe, the cooperation between the two reassures SPF's belief in NPCC.

            For students of the schools involved, such an event provided a platform for them to showcase their often kept talent and engage themselves with the society. The smiles carved on the faces of the participating cadets subtly echoed Joseph Campbell's maxim of a hero being someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. For cadets especially, the opportunity presented is indeed an occurence in their life that they can never forget. While tomorrow would come and go, 9th November 2014 would remain etched in their memories.