Police Coast Guard

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Booth of the Police Coast Guard at the Police Carnival 2006 showing its logo with a PC boat in the background.

The Police Coast Guard (Abbreviation: PCG; Chinese: 警察海岸卫队; Malay: Polis Pengawal Pantai) is the water police operational unit of the Singapore Police Force which also takes on roles of the coast guard typically handled by the military or as separate organisations in other countries. These include the enforcement of law and order in Singapore's territorial waters, and Search and Rescue operations in collaboration with the Maritime Port Authority, and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. Currently headquartered in Brani Regional Base at 11 Brani Way on Pulau Brani, Singapore, it traces a history of about 170 years.

[edit] History

Given Singapore's standing as a trading port since its founding in 1819, problems of piracy has accompanied its early maritime history until the 1840s when Temmenggong Daeng Ibrahim and his son, Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor, openly supported the British efforts to fight piracy. In 1866, the police's maritime operations were formally established with the building of a floating police station. Dedicated police patrol boats began patrolling the waters around the colony.

In 1916, the Marine Branch was setup, before being established as a separate unit in 1924 and renamed as the Marine Police. The new unit built its first headquarters near Cavenagh Bridge along the Singapore River, and had a fleet of about 26 boats and 238 officers. During the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, all vessels of the Marine Police were confiscated by the Japanese forces. After the war, the Marine Police saw rapid growth with the establishment of sub-bases at Tanjong Kling, Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong by 1951. In 1952, the fleet was boosted to 68 as a result of a reorganisation of the Police Force, and rose to 70 during the Konfrontasi with Indonesia in the 1960s in light of the increased operational needs.

With the attainment of independence for Singapore in 1965, the unit was upgraded in light of increased responsiblities for the new nation, and relocated its headquarters to the new Kallang Regional Base at Kallang Basin in 1970.

The unit underwent a major restructuring and was renamed as the Police Coast Guard on 13 February 1993, given its expanded roles in marine security responsibilies and capabilities, including preventing the intrusion of illegal migrants and foreign government vessels, and the guarding of the Horsburgh Lighthouse on the disputed island of Pedra Branca in the Singapore Straits.

On 20 March 2006, it relocated its headquarters to its current location at Brani Regional Base, due to the planned damming of the Marina Bay and Kallang Basin.

[edit] Mission and vision

The PCG has a Mission and Vision as follows:

Mission

Our Mission is to ensure coastal security and maintain law and order within Singapore Territorial Waters (STW).

Vision

Our Vision is to become a world class maritime policing agency dedicated to providing quality service and achieving high standards of professionalism and operational excellence. We will be a caring, progressive and cohesive organisation. We help build Singapore into our best home by preserving the security and integrity of our territorial waters.

[edit] Organisation

The Police Coast Guard Pulau Ubin Base.

The Police Coast Guard is currently headed by Assistant Commissioner See Buck Thye Jerry. It operates from four regional bases around the island, namely the Brani Regional Base, Gul Regional Base, Lim Chu Kang Regional Base, and Loyang Regional Base. It also maintains a small base on Pulau Ubin. Each of these regional bases are organised similarly to the Neighbourhood Police Centres of the land divisions, and conduct patrols within their respective sectors.

Supporting the regional bases, are several specialised squadrons, namely the Coastal Patrol Squadron, the Port Squadron and the Interceptor Squadron. The PCG also has an elite unit known as the Special Task Squadron (STS), activated to conduct high-risk operations where speed and firepower are deemed necessary. They were instrumental in the capture of one of the three armed robbers who infiltrated into Singapore on Pulau Tekong in March 2004 [1].

[edit] Operations

Police Coast Guard officers also conduct land patrols on Singapore's islands, such as these officers on Pulau Ubin.

The Police Coast Guard conducts regular patrols in Singapore's territorial waters from its four regional bases, in an area of more than 200 square nautical miles [2]. It is also responsible for maintaining law and order on most of Singapore's islands, except those which are directly accessible by road from the main island, such as Jurong Island, Sentosa and Pulau Brani.

While piracy was the main source of concern leading to the establishment of the Marine Police, it has become almost a non-issue today with no cases of piracy in Singapore's territorial waters at least in the last decade. Crimes in the offshore islands or in the waters are also markedly low.

The control of illegal migrants entering Singapore's waters has become one of the most visible roles of the PCG, however, aided in part by constant media reports on such arrests. On 17 August 2006, its arrest of 22 illegal migrants in four separate incidents was touted as the largest number arrested by the PCG in a day by the media [3]. While the number of intrusions has been drastically reduced in recent years with the acquisition of radar and other sophisticated night-vision equipment, the attraction of Singapore as a migrant destination continues to pose a constant operational challenge to the PCG.

[edit] Manpower

The Police Coast Guard has traditionally drawn its manpower from a common pool of officers as other land divisions, with them usually being posted to the unit immediately after training, or were transferred from other divisions or units. In recent years, it offered an option for aspiring officers to apply directly to join the unit, thus needing only to attend common courses at the Home Team Academy before receiving specialised marine training for immediate posting within the unit upon graduation.

The unit's manpower is supplemented by national servicemen, as well as officers from the Volunteer Special Constabulary.

[edit] Uniforms

New uniforms of the Police Coast Guard on display at the Police Carnival 2006.

The evolution of uniforms worn by the Police Coast Guard largely mirror that for the land-based divisions, with its earliest uniforms reflecting British heritage and influence. Early uniforms mirror that of navy sailors, comprising of an all-white attire of long-sleeved shirts and shorts. It then adopted the Khaki-based uniforms which were introduced in the the land divisions in 1890.

The current uniform of the PCG was based on the 1969 switch to dacron blue by the police force. Officers wear what is known as the Combat (or No.4) Uniform, which comprises of a long-sleeved shirt and long pants made of a slightly tougher polyester, and does away with almost all metal parts via the use of velcro and plastic buttons. They don a blue beret, but are permitted to wear a baseball cap while on operational duties. Footwear is in the form of lace up leather shoes with non-slip soles.

In May 2005, the island Patrol Uniform was introduced, comprising of a helmet, dark blue polo top and bermudas for officers performing bicycle patrol duties on Pulau Ubin [4]. These were introduced to project a softer image on the island where recreational activities abound, and to provide greater comfort for the officers in the humid outdoor weather [5].

As part of a force-wide review of the police uniforms, the PCG adopted the new combat uniform similar to that currently worn by the Special Operations Command. While they were introduced to overcome existing limitations of the current uniform, such as allowing for less-hindrance in body movement due to the more relaxed fit, and its non-flammable properties, they met with opposition from some officers who feel it projects the wrong image to the general public, including its "technician" look. Officers began to don the new combat uniform from 21 August 2006.

[edit] Firearms and equipment

Officers of the PCG are equipped with the Taurus Model 85, similar to their counterparts in land divisions, as their primary side weapon. The GLOCK 19 Pistol is also issued to Special Task Squadron officers. Other weapons such as the Heckler & Koch MP5, the M16 rifle are also stowed aboard each patrol craft, with the pump action shotgun as an additional weapon for the Special Task Squadron. Mounted on the boats themselves, are weapons such as the General Purpose Machine Gun, the Oerlikon 20 mm cannon and/or the Browning Machine Gun, depending on the type of craft.

[edit] Current fleet

There are currently eight types of boats utilised by the PCG, namely the Command Boat, the Coastal Patrol Craft (CPC), three types of PT boats, the new PC class Patrol Craft, the PK class Interceptor Craft for the Special Task Squadron, and the PJ Class inflatable boats for localised patrols, particularly up smaller rivers and canals.

[edit] Command Boat (PT Class)

The two Command Boats in operation are slightly larger versions of the regular Patrol Craft, and built by Asia-Pacific Geraldton in 1998.

[edit] Coastal Patrol Craft (PH Class)

The PCG operates a fleet of 12 Coastal Patrol Craft for regional patrols including the South China Sea, which were handed over by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in 1993 [6]. The boats themselves were built between 1979 and 1980, and where thus relatively antiquated. In 2006, the PCG signed a contract with Damen Shipyard to build 10 specially-designed boats to replace its aging Coastal Patrol Craft and will be operational by 2008 [7].

[edit] Patrol Craft (1st Generation, PT Class)

The oldest generation of Patrol Craft still in current use were built in 1984.

[edit] Patrol Craft (2nd Generation, PT Class)

The second generation of Patrol Craft were built between 1987 and 1989, including the two Command Boats. Another four boats are operated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.

[edit] Patrol Craft (3rd Generation, PT Class)

A third generation Patrol Craft, Flower Ray (PT65), conducting a sea-rescue demonstration.

The third generation of Patrol Craft were introduced in 1998, with 18 build in 1999 and another seven in 2000.

[edit] New Generation Patrol Craft (PC Class)

The New Generation Patrol Craft, also known as the Fast Response Craft, were delivered from the year 2002. There are currently 32 in active service.

[edit] Interceptor Craft (PK Class)

An Interceptor Craft, Spikefish (PK50), from the Special Task Squadron demonstrating its capabilities during a maritime exercise mockup display as part of the National Day Parade, 2005 celebrations.

There are two generations of Interceptor Craft in service, with the first delivered in 1995. The second generation of six boats with a different colour scheme and modified design was introduced in 1999.

[edit] Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boats ( PJ Class)

The PJ Class of rigid-hulled inflatable boats suitable for cruising uprivers and large drains and introduced in 1997.

[edit] Other

There are several other types of fast craft boats playing a supportive role.

[edit] Collaborations

The PCG has engaged in joint operations with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) since the 1990s, as well as with foreign agencies. Alliances were forged with the Royal Malaysian Marine Police and the TNI-AL (Indonesian Navy). It is involved in the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) programme with the United States Coast Guard, the RSN, and five other Southeast Asian countries [8] [9] [10]. In 2001, it was involved in a joint anti-illegal migrant operation with the Japan Coast Guard in Kanazawa [11].

The PCG has also collaborated with the National Police Cadet Corps to establish sea units in secondary schools. The first two units were setup in Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and Springfield Secondary School in 2002, with the PCG's pool of reservists and Volunteer Special Constabulary officers providing training for the cadets [12].

[edit] References

• "Policing Singapore in the 19th & 20th centuries", Peer M. Akbur, Singapore Police Force, 2002 ISBN 981047024X

[edit] External links

• Singapore Police Force, Police Coast Guard