Community police walking, cycling to keep neighbourhoods safe

Community Policing Unit officers, volunteers engage residents through patrols, home visits

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The Community Policing Unit (CPU) was introduced in 2012 to raise awareness about crime and follow up on police reports. The Straits Times shadowed three CPU officers for three days to see how they work.
Staff Sergeant Sritharchana R. Jayaprakas (right) talking to a teenager at a void deck in Hougang after she saw him smoking.
Staff Sergeant Sritharchana R. Jayaprakas (right) talking to a teenager at a void deck in Hougang after she saw him smoking. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN MOHAMED YUSOF
Staff Sgt Sri and her colleague, Sergeant Alvin Chua, giving residents tips on crime prevention during their house-to-house visits.
Staff Sgt Sri and her colleague, Sergeant Alvin Chua, giving residents tips on crime prevention during their house-to-house visits. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN MOHAMED YUSOF
Staff Sgt Sri with a child at a playground while on patrol in Hougang. The 31-year-old is one of 26 CPU officers at Hougang Neighbourhood Police Centre.
Staff Sgt Sri with a child at a playground while on patrol in Hougang. The 31-year-old is one of 26 CPU officers at Hougang Neighbourhood Police Centre. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN MOHAMED YUSOF
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Five teenagers were hanging out at a void deck, engrossed in their mobile phones, one recent weekday.

One of them was smoking.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 22, 2018, with the headline Community police walking, cycling to keep neighbourhoods safe. Subscribe