The Human Performance Centre (HPC), launched on 17 October 2016 by Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam, studies and considers factors such as ergonomic design, thermal comfort and safety features in the design of systems, work processes and equipment. Situated at the Home Team Academy, the new centre allows Home Team officers to experience safer training conditions and aims to boost their confidence and operational performance when deployed on the ground.
The HPC focuses on four key areas, namely Smart Surveillance, Virtual Reality (VR) Training, Human Centricity for Network Enabled Operations and Workload, Fatigue and Vigilance.
The HPC’s Smart Surveillance Suite creates and modifies intelligent analytics solutions to enhance the Home Team’s surveillance operations. Such analytics include the use of algorithms in CCTVs to single out suspicious behaviour.
The Virtual Reality Suite uses VR technology to enhance the training experience in cases such as a crime scene investigation. Seen here is the Virtual Crime Scene Management module which creates realistic crime scene scenarios. PHOTO: Melvin Mak
The HPC’s Virtual Reality Suite uses VR technology to enhance the training experience in cases such as a crime scene investigation and to allow officers to practice manoeuvring an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in a simulated environment.
The Human Centricity suite studies Home Team officer’s situational awareness, workload decision-making skills and level of team performance in a variety of simulated situations. This allows Home Team officers to better improve training systems and methods. The suite also creates realistic circumstances to assess officers’ responses.
The HPC also includes a Workload, Fatigue and Vigilance Suite which studies the physiological and psychological needs of Home Team officers in relation to their operational environments. The results of these studies are then taken into account when designing new equipment and processes.
Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam (second from left) and Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Mr Amrin Amin (left) observing a gait testing and load bearing distribution demonstration at the Workload, Fatigue and Vigilance Suite. PHOTO: Melvin Mak
Speaking at the opening, Minister Shanmugam said the opening of the HPC was part of the Home Team’s transformation plan to develop cutting edge technology in the face of declining manpower and increasing operational demands.
“The setting up of the Human Performance Centre at HTA is another step on the path to making our officers highly skilled, better equipped and more able to deal with challenging situations,” reiterated Minister Shanmugam.
The Human Performance Centre was officially opened by Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam (centre), together with Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Mr Loh Ngai Seng (second from left) and Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Mr Amrin Amin (fifth from left). PHOTO: Melvin Mak
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