As Prudential’s new Malaysian HQ opens its doors as the first tenant in the TRX district, a Community-Oriented Policing (COP) scheme has been initiated to support security throughout the district, as part of longer-term community policing and crime prevention programmes.
Collaboration between community and cop
The Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) community-oriented programmes were first introduced in 2005. The various initiatives, known under the general moniker of “Rakan COP”, have been well-received by a public eager to work more closely with law enforcement to control and prevent crime in their localities.
Community-oriented policing fosters collaborations that help to identify, share and resolve crime-related issues quickly and effectively.
The objective is to reduce the fear and improve a sense of personal security for locals and visitors, as well as increase accountability through the regular presence of active individual police officers who are known and attached to the area and community.
“The safety and security of the public and public spaces in and around TRX are of the utmost importance,” said Jayadev K. K. Pillai,who oversees Security in TRX.
Progress at TRX
The COP programme at TRX kicked off with a session in August run by the Dang Wangi District Community Police team, to educate office workers and community members on security awareness as well as strategies and services provided under the programme.
An info booth was set up at the entrance of the new Prudential building, and the session involved safety talks, introductions to PDRM programmes, such as those that target crimes against women and the Amanita initiative, which will allow for women to report discretely to dedicated female PDRM officers.
The info booth also showed visitors how to register for the new Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) app, which allows users to report crime immediately and upload GPS, pictures and videos. The new app complements the PDRM hotline and SMS services.
The event, which is scheduled periodically, opens up channels of communication with Prudential security and provides an introduction to the police teams who are patrolling TRX’s inner roads.
The COP programme will first cover the public spaces in and around the Prudential building, before expanding to the rest of TRX as more plots are open for business.
Patrols will be increased, including into surrounding areas beyond TRX boundaries, covering pedestrianised walkways and roads adjacent to the district. Neighbouring stakeholders, such as business owners and residents, will also be invited to join the programme.
“We are confident that our close collaboration with PDRM and the local community through the COP programme will support already existing law enforcement to increase security in the area and give peace of mind to TRX tenants, workers, residents, neighbours and visitors,” Jayadev added.
