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Singapore's security officers to undergo training to recognise terrorist threats

A mall security guard in Singapore. Yahoo file photo
A mall security guard in Singapore. Yahoo file photo

Singapore’s security officers will be required to undergo training to recognise terrorist threats, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Thursday (19 Oct).

At present, security officers must obtain two Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) basic licensing units – “Provide Guard and Patrol Services” and “Handle Security Incidents and Services”. Starting from 1 Jan 2020, they will be required to obtain a third basic licensing unit known as “Recognise Terrorist Threats” (RTT).

The two-day WSQ course for RTT will train security officers to be aware of terrorist threats, as well as observation skills to recognise person-borne, vehicle-borne, and object-based threats, said SPF. Security officers will be expected to complete RTT training by 1 January 2020.

“We anticipate that about 80 per cent of all active security officers today will achieve it. Those who do not complete RTT training by 1 Jan 2020 will still be able to retain their licences, but can only be deployed at warehouses and condominiums until they complete their RTT training. SPF will consider subsequently extending the RTT training requirement to all security officers,” said SPF.

Security officers who have completed the earlier WSQ in “Handle Counter Terrorism Activities” will be deemed to have met the RTT requirement, added SPF.

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