There are a few pretty posters around Singapore on the police force. The posters look good and put the Police Officers in a good light. There are also several advertisements on TV on this used for recruitment.
However, today with social media, it seems futile to have a beautiful image when people feel that the reality is much different.
Children handcuffed by police at Katong
CIVIL ACTIVISTS ARRESTED & HARASSED FOR SILENT PROTEST OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT HOUSE
Elderly woman arrested and handcuffed by police after reporting a lost pawn shop ticket
And the list goes on.
I personally have experienced trying to report a lost bicycle, but was dissuaded as the officer keeps asking me if I've misplaced it. I told him I want to file it, and he replied that many bicycles go missing and they don't have enough resources to find my bicycle.
The same goes for my stolen car (more than once), and things stolen off my motorcycle.
When someone broke into my house at Oei Tiong Ham Park (opposite Holland Village), I called the police who took more than 6 hours to respond, (Police from Pasir Ris came) And their excuse, they lack resources.
I used to have many friends in the police force as I was part of the Military Police. Sadly, many of them left to join Cisco where they wear the same uniform and have definite working hours and good benefits, unlike the Police force where education and qualification matters most. (If you are not a scholar, there is a glass ceiling)
With lack of trust, and the impression that the police works for the rich and connected, it is hard to just have fancy posters and expect people to join the Police. Try winning back trust by doing the right thing and have common sense.
-- Robin Low
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