An Eye On Safety: PolCams and Singapore’s Crime Prevention Future
TIL: There are a lot of security cameras around my HDB. I counted about 10 cameras during my 8-min walk from my flat to the nearby MRT.
And it’s thanks to the Police Camera (PolCam) system by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) that our streets are safe. This bag snatcher was caught just two hours after the police received a 999 call. And this woman would have fled to Indonesia after scalding her husband if not for these cameras.
IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG
Keeping a lookout
Launched in 2012, PolCam has quietly become a cornerstone of Singapore’s neighbourhood safety. To date, there are more than 90,000 PolCams in public areas around the Lion City, and they have helped solve over 7,500 crime cases.
And it’s not just vandalism and theft cases. PolCams also serve as a deterrent. Reports of property damage due to loan shark harassment, for example, dropped from 7,600 in 2012 to fewer than 1,200 in 2023. From 2015 to 2022, housebreaking in HDB estates dropped by 45.9% (from 74 cases to 40) and motor vehicle theft at carparks fell 72.5% (from 690 cases to 190).
PolCam isn’t your run-of-the-mill no brand CCTV system. It’s packed with advanced video analytics, allowing operators to quickly locate missing persons, track suspects, or identify unusual activities.
These cameras have transformed the way police respond to crimes. Minister Josephine Teo, speaking at a 2024 parliamentary debate, highlighted how PolCam has enabled officers to identify, locate, and apprehend suspects within hours of a crime being reported.
IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG
The eyes behind the camera
While PolCam’s tech is impressive, it wouldn’t be half as effective without the human touch. Enter the Assistant Watch Officers (AWOs): full-time Police National Servicemen (PNSFs) who monitor the cameras from the Police Operations Command Centre (POCC).
AWOs conduct “virtual patrols” by scanning "live" footage for any suspicious activity. If something seems off, they alert their Watch Officers, who dispatch ground teams to the scene. Besides monitoring footage, AWOs also handle calls to the Police Hotline and assist with creating reports for emergencies.
Becoming an AWO isn’t a walk in the park. These officers undergo weeks of rigorous theory lessons, hands-on training, and on-the-job mentorship before they’re ready to keep our streets safe.
IMAGE: NICHOLAS YONG
More PolCams coming soon
The SPF and Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) are constantly upgrading the system. As older cameras are replaced with newer models, the network’s coverage will expand to include more locations islandwide.
By the mid-2030s, the SPF plans to deploy over 200,000 cameras to cover new housing areas and residential estates. The ultimate goal: a safer Singapore for you and me.
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