on 14 april 2005, the singapore police force announced plans to improve rail security by creating a specialised police mrt unit, now known as public transport security command (transcom). these armed officers began patrols on the mrt and lrt systems on 15 august 2005, conducting random patrols in pairs in and around rail stations and within trains. they are trained and allowed to use their firearms if they need to, including killing if necessary.