Phuket police carry out successful robbery response exercise


Police were able to apprehend the roleplay thieves because officers understood and followed procedures, and also because local residents helped provide important information about the suspects and their escape route. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Police from Thalang Police Station held a robbery response exercise today (June 24) where they simulated catching thieves who had just carried out a robbery at a Family Mart in Baan Lipon.

Thalang Police Chief Col Sompong Tipapakul and his officers carried out an emergency response drill at 2pm as part of officers ongoing training.

It was decided to use a robbery at the Family Mart in Baan Lipon in this exercise as the convenience store has been robbed twice recently.

It was hoped that the exercise would not only assist police officers in their attempts to reduce crime in the area but also the store’s staff in how to react in such an incident.

Col Sompong said, “The simulated robbery is based on the scenario of two suspects arriving at the store on a motorbike. One suspect, armed with a pistol went inside and carried out a robbery. The suspects then sped away on the motorbike.

“Officers located at the station were alerted of the robbery via an emergency button located in the store and also by a phone call made by a local resident who witnessed the incident,” he said.

Full Story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-police-carry-out-successful-robbery-response-exercise-57990.php#YzTbDEqUTuoMj54b.97


-- Phuket News 2016-06-23

So did everyone know there was going to be a drill, or just the top cops or what? If they all knew beforehand, I don't know if I would call it a legit simulation. But hey, they get a photo op apprehending some fake perps.

Oh dear! This is so pathetic I felt embarrassed reading it.

Most important of all, officers got to use modern technology to help identify and find the suspects.

What exactly was the modern technology? Was it a hold up alarm connected to a police station, was it the telephone, the motorcycle, CCTV or the ability to get off thier backsides and follow a script. None of this is modern technology and the way they responded is very outdated, time exausting and ineffective.

Modern police forces don't monitor holdup alarms as resources are used in a proactive manner ie: patrols. Private security companies who have a direct connection to a central police communications center monitor alarms. The communications center will then immediately dispatch the closest patrol which is determined by thier GPS position, other patrol units will provide back up by patrolling the area waiting for updates from the responding unit.

This receiving a phone call at the police station, then speaking to superiors who then formulate a plan, attend the scene, Sit down and view CCTV footage, formulate another plan and then personally pursue the offenders is time wasting and ineffective in real life situations.

The whole article has been tainted by the addition of "response exercise" to the heading

In other news today: three shops were robbed by armed motorbike bandits and no police were available to respond

Emergency telephone number is never answered during Euro 2016.

Robbery response drill.

Telling the police..."Hey there's a robbery at Family Mart"

Police response......"Its a bit difficult at the moment,we are eating"

This ranks with the man dressed as a tiger in the zoo escape simulation.