Singapore Police Force

The Singapore Police Force (Abbreviation: SPF) is the national law enforcement agency of Singapore. It is the city-state’s lead agency against organised crime; human, weapon trafficking; cyber crime; and economic crime that goes across domestic and international borders, but can be tasked to investigate any crime under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MFA).

Formerly known as the Republic of Singapore Police (RSP), the SPF is a uniformed organisation. The mission of the SPF is to prevent, deter and detect crime to ensure the safety and security of Singapore. It is Singapore’s point of contact for foreign agencies such as Interpol and other international law enforcement agencies.

The organisational structure of the SPF is split between the staff and line functions, roughly modelled after the military. There are currently sixteen staff departments, four specialist staff departments, and eighteen specialist and line units, including seven land divisions. The headquarters is located in a block at New Phoenix Park in Novena, adjacent to a twin block occupied by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Situated within the headquarters building is the Police Heritage Centre (PHC), which is open to the public and showcases the SPF’s history through various exhibits and multimedia displays.

As of 2019, the SPF has a strength of approximately 11,263 personnel: 9,636 sworn officers and 1,627 civilian staff.

History

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The Singapore Police Force is as old as modern Singapore. The Force was formed in 1820, with a skeleton force of 11 men under the command of Francis James Bernard, son-in-law of William Farquhar. With no background nor knowledge on policing, Bernard had to work from scratch, as well as occasionally turning to Farquhar for help. In addition, he held multiple roles as magistrate, chief jailer, harbour master, marine storekeeper, as well as personal assistants to Farquhar. Farquhar informed Raffles that he had provisionally introduced licenses for opium and alcohol sales that would raise $650 per month, with $300 of this sum being used to run a small police department.

As the department took form, Bernard became in charge of a Malay writer, one jailor, one jemadar (sergeant) and eight peada (constables) by May 1820. Raffles approved these arrangements by August 1820 and cemented the formal establishment of a police force in Singapore. Manpower constraints meant that the men had to perform a wide range of roles, and required the help of headmen among the various ethnic communities to maintain orderliness on the streets, all the more possible as the communities lived in segregated areas around the city.

This partnership with the community was in line with Sir Stamford Raffles’ vision of a thriving colony largely self-regulated by local social structures, with the British masters administrating it via indirect rule. The large influx of migrants from China, however, began to test this system when the hands-off approach by the British allowed secret societies in Singapore to thrive. Although originally formed with legal intentions of community bonding and the provision of assistance to fellow migrants, these societies gradually became influential, competitive, and increasingly engaged in illegal activity including monetary extortion from the masses, the operation of gambling dens and the smuggling of illegal goods on top of more legal commercial operations to meet their financial needs.

Competition gradually heated up between large rival factions, such as that between the larger Ghee Hin Kongsi, the Ghee Hock Kongsi and the Hai San Kongsi. Murders, mass riots, kidnappings, arson, and other serious crimes became commonplace in the next four decades since the colony’s founding. Faced with violent acts of crime which may involve thousands, such as the Chinese Funeral Procession Riots of 1846 involving 9,000 members from the Ghee Hin and Ghee Hock secret societies, the police force was woefully incapable of bringing the situation under control and often had to call in the army for assistance. The escalating number of serious crimes prompted the need for stronger legislation to deter would-be criminals. Singapore’s first executions were thus held in the wake of the first criminal session in June 1828, when a Chinese and Indian were found guilty and convicted for murder.

Headed by Europeans and predominantly staffed by Malay and Indian officers, the force had little Chinese representation as to the military and policing professionals were traditionally shunned by the Chinese community, which therefore impaired policing efforts among the large Chinese populace. In 1843, the force comprised a sitting magistrate doubling up as a superintendent, three European constables and an assistant native constable, 14 officers and 110 policemen. With a total strength of no more than 150 men, the police were compelled to avoid direct intervention in these mass acts of violence, else risking almost total annihilation.

A repeat of this scenario occurred in 1851 when lingering displeasure against Roman Catholic ethnic Chinese erupted into major rioting leaving over 500 Chinese dead. The army was called in again, although it involved having to induct Indian convicts into military service almost overnight. In 1854, twelve consecutive days of violence sparked by a dispute between the Hokkiens and Teochews disrupted trade. This particular incident led to the formation of the military’s Singapore Rifle Corps on 8 July 1854, the earliest predecessor of the Singapore Armed Forces’ People’s Defence Force today.

However, criminal violence was not merely in the domain of the ethnic Chinese. Rivalries between Malay princes and communities also often result in acts of violence, which prompted the passing of Singapore’s first arms law in March 1823 restricting the right to bear arms to 24 of the Malay Sultan’s followers. Nearly two centuries later, these anti-arms laws continue to be strictly enforced, resulting in a society relatively free from firearms-related criminal offences.

The murder rate in Singapore is reportedly low.

Organisational structure

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Leadership

Rank and appointment	Abbreviation	Office holder
Commissioner of Police	CP	Hoong Wee Teck
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Policy)	DC(P)	Jerry See Buck Thye
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations & Intelligence)	DC(I&I)	Florence Chua
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations)	DC(Ops)	Tan Hung Hooi

Staff departments

Department	Abbreviation	Area of responsibility	Ref
Administration & Finance Department	A&F	Administrative, finance and procurement services
Centre for Protective Security	CPS	Training and maintenance of protective security standards
Community Partnership Department	CPD	Community engagement and crime prevention
Inspectorate and Compliance Office	InCo	Internal audit and risk management
Internal Affairs Office	IAO	Handling of internal investigations
International Cooperation Department	ICD	Maintenance of relations with foreign law enforcement agencies as well as handling transnational and international police operations
Manpower Department	MPD	Human resource management and recruitment programmes
Operations Department	OPD	Responsible for operational matters including the development of doctrines and standard operating procedures; oversees the Police Operations Command Centre
Planning and Organisation Department	P&O	Strategic planning and organisational development
Police Licensing and Regulatory Department	PLRD	Processing and enforcement of various police licenses
Police Logistics Department	PLD	Procurement, distribution and maintenance of equipment
Police National Service Department	PNSD	Human resource management of Police National Servicemen
Public Affairs Department	PAD	Public relations and media relations
Service Delivery Department	SDD	Handling of public feedback and service quality affairs
Training & Capability Development Department	TCDD	Development of training policy, methodologies and training safety
Volunteer Special Constabulary	VSC	Human resource management of volunteer police officers

Specialist staff departments

Department	Abbreviation	Area of responsibility	Ref
Commercial Affairs Department	CAD	Detection and investigation of financial crime
Criminal Investigation Department	CID	Primary detective agency and investigative body
Ops-Tech Department	OTD	Development of Science & Technology
Police Intelligence Department	PID	Gathering and processing of police intelligence
Police Psychological Services Department	PPSD	Handling psychological matters

Specialist and land units

Units	Abbreviation	Area of responsibility	Ref
Ang Mo Kio Police Division	‘F’ Division	Ang Mo Kio, Serangoon, Hougang, Sengkang, Punggol, Seletar
Bedok Police Division	‘G’ Division	Changi, Pasir Ris, Tampines, Bedok, Paya Lebar, Marine Parade, Marina East, Geylang
Central Police Division	‘A’ Division	Downtown Core, Museum, Outram, Singapore River, Marina South, Straits View, Rochor, Kallang
Clementi Police Division	‘D’ Division	Clementi, Queenstown, Jurong East
Jurong Police Division	‘J’ Division	Jurong West, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Panjang, Bukit Batok, Boon Lay, Pioneer, Tuas
Tanglin Police Division	‘E’ Division	Bukit Merah, Bukit Timah, River Valley, Tanglin, Orchard, Novena, Toa Payoh, Bishan
Woodlands Police Division	‘L’ Division	Yishun, Sembawang, Woodlands, Mandai, Kranji
Airport Police Division	APD	Changi Airport, Seletar Airport, Changi Airfreight Centre, Airport Logistics Park
Gurkha Contingent	GC	Special Guard Force/Counter-Terrorist Unit/Paramilitary Unit
Home Team School of Criminal Investigation	HTSCI	Conduct trainings and courses for criminal investigators
Police Coast Guard	PCG	Protection and Law Enforcement of Singapore’s territorial waters
Police Operations Command Centre	POCC	Overseeing of day-to-day operations
Public Transport Security Command	TRANSCOM	Protecting the public transport network
Protective Security Command	ProCom	Protection of key installations and security at key national events
Police Security Command	SecCom	Security and protection of VIPs/foreign dignitaries
Special Operations Command	SOC	Tactical Unit/Riot Control/Hostage Rescue/K-9 Unit
Traffic Police	TP	Enforcement of traffic laws
Training Command	TRACOM	Training of police officers and involved in parades

Land divisions are given designations according to the NATO phonetic alphabet.

Defunct land divisions include:

• Toa Payoh Police Division (‘B’ Division), merged with Tanglin Police Division
• Geylang Police Division (‘C’ Division), merged with Bedok Police Division

Finances

The Singapore Police Force receives the highest budget allocation annually as compared to the various departments of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), typically accounting for about 50% of its annual budget. For the fiscal year of 2013 (for the year beginning 1 April 2013), S$3.89 billion was budgeted to the MHA, of which 47.8% or S$1.86 billion was allocated for the Police Programme. Actual expenses in the 2013 fiscal year were S$2.04 billion, of which S$1.88 billion was spent on operating expenditure (against the budgeted S$1.79 billion) and S$159.1 million on development expenditure (budgeted at $71.83 million). Manpower costs amounting to S$1.16 billion continue to dominate the SPF’s expenditure, accounting for 61.7% of its operating expenditure and 56.9% of total expenditure in FY2013.

Fiscal Year	Operating Expenditure				Development Expenditure		Total Expenditure		Refs
	Manpower (millions)	Others (millions)	Total (millions)	Budgeted (millions)	Total (millions)	Budgeted (millions)	Total (millions)	Budgeted (millions)
2010	S$951.66	S$653.08	S$1,604.74	S$1,497.70	S$76.01	S$87.53	S$1,680.75	S$1,585.24
2011	S$930.31	S$658.73	S$1,589.04	S$1,546.79	S$54.69	S$70.81	S$1,643.74	S$1,617.60
2012	S$1,065.05	S$695.73	S$1,760.79	S$1,606.93	S$72.08	S$93.46	S$1,832.86	S$1,700.39
2013	S$1,161.41	S$721.74	S$1,883.15	S$1,787.64	S$159.10	S$71.83	S$2,042.25	S$1,859.47
2014	S$1,369.52 (est)	S$804.20 (est)	S$2,172.72 (est)	S$1,932.98	S$269.41 (est)	S$205.49	S$2,442.13 (est)	S$2,138.47
2015				S$2,262.48		S$10.93		S$2,473.40

The latest budget for fiscal year 2015, S$2.47 billion was allocated to the Police Programme, or 49.5% of MHA’s total budget of S$5 billion (the Ministry of Defence, in comparison, received a S$13.12 billion budget allocation). This includes S$2.26 billion for Operating Expenditure and $210.93 million for Development Expenditure. The main Development Expenditures expected in FY2015 included the construction of new buildings such as the Woodlands Police Divisional HQ as well as the acquisition of new patrol craft for the Police Coast Guard and the installation of police cameras at more HDB blocks and multi-storey car parks.

Manpower

As of 31 March 2019, the total strength of the force stands at 44,795, of which 11,263 are full-time staff. Manpower trends in recent years are as follows:

Year ended	Regulars	Civilians	PNSF	PNSmen	VSC	Total	Refs
31 March 2007	7,826	1,206	3,464	20,852	1,049	34,397
31 March 2012	8,469	1,262	4,722	unknown	1,146	unknown
31 March 2013	8,617	1,423	4,853	24,248	1,212	40,353
31 March 2014	8,783	1,544	4,704	25,492	1,076	41,599
31 March 2016	9,482	1,601	4,911	27,151	1,057	44,202
31 March 2017	9,617	1,593	5,043	27,839	1,084	45,176
31 March 2018	9,591	1,632	4,766	27,245	1,250	44,484
31 March 2019	9,636	1,627	4,488	27,691	1,353	44,795

Regulars

Regulars, or uniformed, full-time officers, constitute about 20% of the police’s total workforce and number approximately 9,000 in strength. Basic entry requirements for police officers include normal fitness levels, good eyesight, and at least five passes in the GCE Ordinary level or a NITEC from the Institute of Technical Education, although those with lower qualifications may still be considered. Those joining the senior police officers require a basic degree from a recognised university. Alternatively, police officers from the junior ranks may also be considered for promotion into the senior ranks. Officers serving in the force as national servicemen are also regularly considered for absorption into the regular scheme. Basic training for all officers are conducted at the Home Team Academy, under the purview of the Police Training Command. It takes about six months and nine months to train a new police officer and senior police officer respectively.

As is the case with many other civil service positions in Singapore, the salaries of police officers are reviewed in accordance to market rates. Salaries are kept competitive as part of anti-corruption measures. Gross starting salaries for police officers may range from S$1,820 to S$2,480, and that of senior police officers from S$3,400 to S$4,770, depending on entry qualifications, relevant/useful work experiences and National Service.

Police officers commence their careers as Sergeants (Full GCE ‘A’ level or Diploma holders), while senior police officers start as Inspectors (Bachelor’s degree). Reviews of an officer’s performance for promotion consideration are conducted annually.

Police National Servicemen (PNS)

When full-time National Service (NS) was first introduced in Singapore in 1967, it was initially solely aimed and geared towards the building-up of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Meanwhile, in Singapore Police Force, NS was not extended to that of compulsory full-time service, with police NS being only part-time, unlike that of the SAF. There was little urgency and pressure for the police force to increase its overall manpower-strength until the Laju incident of 1974, Singapore’s first encounter with international terrorism, demonstrated the need for additionally trained reserve-officers who could be called up at short-notice in the event of a national crisis or a major and serious public emergency. Singapore’s full-time National Service policy was thus extended to the Singapore Police Force in 1975, which stemmed from the then-primary aim of guarding and protecting key and vital public installations, such as sensitive ones like power substations and petrochemical industries, and to act as a swift-response reserve unit. Subsequent expansion of this NS scheme, along with changing security needs and requirements and the trend in outsourcing key-installation protection (such as to the various local auxiliary police forces) has expanded the role of police national servicemen to more varied functions, which may range from mainstream administration and operations (such as the role of Staff Assistants (SAs) based in offices), to basic police investigation (like the Ground Response Force (GRF) of the SPF’s Land Divisions) and front line policing (as seen in the Police Coast Guard), alongside their regular counterparts.

Volunteers

Formed in 1946, The Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) is an important component of the Singapore Police Force, contributing more than fifty years of volunteer service to the nation.

The VSC is composed of volunteers from all walks of life in Singapore, from businessmen to blue-collar executives to even bus captains, bonded with the same aspiration to serve the nation by complementing the Singapore Police Force. They are vested with equal powers of a police officer to enforce law and order in Singapore. VSC Officers don the same police uniform and patrol the streets, participate in anti-drug operations and sometimes even high-speed sea chases.

Previously headquartered at the Eu Tong Sen Street Police Station and Toa Payoh Police Station, it relocated to the new Police Cantonment Complex in the year 2000.

Civilian staff

Civilian staff in the Police Force are deployed in areas such as technology, logistics, human resource, and administrative and financial services as well as investigation, planning and intelligence. The civilian staff schemes fall under the general civil service schemes managed by the Public Service Division. These schemes include:

• Commercial Affairs Officer (CAO) Scheme for Accountancy, Law, Business Administration, Business or Economics degree holders
  • Commercial Affairs Officer
• Home Team Specialist (HTS) Scheme for degree and diploma holders
  • Home Team Specialist
• Home Affairs Senior Executive (HASE) Scheme for degree holders
  • Management Executive (MX)
• Management Support Scheme for diploma holders and below
  • Management Support Officer (MSO)
  • Corporate Support Officer (CSO)
• Technical Support Scheme for diploma holders and below
  • Technical Support Officer (TSO)

The civilization of non-core police functions has accelerated over the years in order to free up additional manpower for redeployment into Police Divisions. Other changes include the deployment of contract staff through organisations such as Ministry of Finance’s VITAL.org for administrative staff and partners such as Singapore Technologies and Cyber Security Agency for technical support.

Staff welfare

• Aquatic Club
• Home United Basketball Club (HUBC)
• Home United Football Club (HUFC)
• JOM – Clubhouse for Police Officers
• Polwel Co-operative Society Limited
• Police Sports Association (PSA)
• Police Welfare Division
• Senior Police Officers’ Mess (SPOM)
• Singapore Police Co-operative Society Limited

Uniforms

Dark blue is the organisational colour of the Singapore Police Force, and has remained so continuously since 1969. Derivatives of the standard blue uniform (collectively called the No. 3 uniform) was adopted for specialized forces and for all officers in various occasions which calls for more formal or casual attire.

The Traffic Police Department adopted a short-sleeved white tunic, dark blue breeches, a black leather Sam Browne belt, and riding boots for its officers performing mobile squad duties. A white crash helmet is worn when on the move, while a new dark blue jockey cap with chequered white and dark blue patterns around its circumference is worn when convenient while performing static duty. Members of the Vigilante Corps are also attired by a white short-sleeved top similar in design to the dark blue version for normal officers, gold-coloured buttons and badges, and a dark blue beret in place of the peak cap.

Combat uniforms have also been adopted for specialist units such as those from the Special Operations Command and the Police Coast Guard (PCG), collectively known as the No. 4 uniforms. These involve the replacement of metal buttons with sewn-on plastic ones, the avoidance of all other metallic accruements which are deemed potentially hazardous to the officer or to others and the use of long-sleeved shirts.

On 16 April 2018, the SPF introduced new uniforms made of 98% polyester and 2% spandex with better stretchable, perspiration absorption, and faster drying characteristics, as “part of ongoing efforts to improve officers’ operational effectiveness and support them in their work”. The word “police” is embroidered above the name tag of the new uniforms and the metallic buttons replaced with concealed plastic buttons for better comfort to allow officers put on the body vests over their uniforms. Riveted buttons are also fixed on the shoulders to allow the attachment of a body worn camera.

Ranks

The following rank structure is used throughout the police force:

Ranks of the Singapore Police Force

Rank	Commissioner of Police (CP)	Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)	Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC)	Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC)	Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police (DAC)	Superintendent of Police (SUPT)	Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
Insignia
Rank	Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)	Inspector (INSP)	Station Inspector (SI)	Senior Staff Sergeant (SSS)	Sergeant (SGT)	Corporal (CPL)	Constable (PC/SC)
Insignia

The rank of corporal (CPL) was abolished in 1972, but reinstated in 1976. In 1997, the location of all rank devices was shifted from the sleeves to the shoulder epaulets except for the Gurkha Contingent. Also in the same year, the station inspector rank insignia was changed from collar pips to a coat of arms of Singapore with upward-pointing chevrons above and an arc below, a design similar to that of the warrant officers of the Singapore Armed Forces, while the rank of senior station inspector (SSI) was also introduced. In 1998, the senior station inspector (2) (SSI(2)) rank was introduced, and changes were made to the SI, SSI, and SSI(2) rank designs. The rank of lance corporal was abolished in 2002. In 2006, the Gurkha Contingent adopted embroidered ranks as part of an overhaul of its combat dress, but are worn on the right chest pocket.

In July 2016, a revamped rank overhaul was done with the retirement of the ranks of staff sergeant, senior station inspector (1) and senior station inspector (2), as well as the abolishment of the separation line between junior officers and senior officers, to unify a unified rank-scheme. In addition, the sergeant rank has three different grades noted by a number from 1 to 3 placed in parentheses and suffixed to the rank abbreviation; namely, SGT(1), SGT(2), and SGT(3).

Ranks made obsolete in 2016

Rank	Senior station inspector (2)	Senior station inspector (1)	Staff sergeant
Insignia

Equipment

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Weapons

Police officers in the various divisions are armed when conducting regular uniformed patrols and plainclothes duties. Officers from different units are issued with different weapons.

The five-shot .38 Taurus Model 85 with 3-inch barrel featuring a laser sight by Crimson Trace is the standard issued sidearm of the Singapore Police Force with 10 rounds of ammunition. In 2015, the SPF purchased a number of CZ P-07 semi-automatic pistols. From 2016, selected officers were issued with the pistols as a trial. In 2019, it was announced that the Glock 19 was chosen as a replacement to the Taurus revolver. In addition to the use of the handguns, the police also use the Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-machine gun and the Remington 870 shotgun.

Extendable batons were initially used by specialist units such as Security Command and Special Operations Command, however, it has since been used by officers from other front-line units, replacing the Monadnock PR-21 side-handle baton. Sabre Red pepper spray canisters are exclusively equipped to the officers of Police Coast Guard and Police Tactical Unit. A pair of handcuffs is issued to the officers as restraints.

The Taser X26E stun gun was procured in the late 2000s and is part of the officers’ equipment, which provides another non-lethal means of subduing suspects. Despite safety concerns due to incidents experienced by foreign police forces, the weapon was deemed suitable for use by trained personnel, and was rolled out across other NPCs. In 2018, the Taser X26E was replaced with the X26P model.

Model	Image	Variants	Calibre	Origin	Notes	References
Pistols
CZ P-07 Series		CZ P-07	9x19mm Parabellum	Czech Republic	On limited trial.
Glock		Glock 19	9x19mm Parabellum	Austria	Used by officers tasked in UN peacekeeping and Police Coast Guard roles. Will replace the Taurus revolver used by other frontline units.
Heckler & Koch USP		H&K USP Compact	9x19mm Parabellum	Germany	Used by Police Special Operations Command
Sphinx 3000		Sphinx 3000	9×19mm Parabellum	Switzerland	Used by units of the Police Special Operations Command
Taurus Model 85		Model 85	.38 Special	Brazil	Will be phased out.
Shotguns
Remington 870		870 MCS 870 Police Magnum	12 gauge	USA	Used by Gurkha Contingent and Police Special Operations Command,
Benelli M3			12 gauge	Italy	Used by Police Coast Guard Special Task Squadron.
Submachine Guns
Heckler & Koch MP5		MP5A3 MP5A2 MP5K-PDW	9x19mm Parabellum	Germany	Standard sub-machine gun used by Protective Security Command, Gurkha Contingent and all units of the Police Special Operations Command.
Assault Rifles
FN SCAR		FN MK 16 CQC FN MK 16 LB	5.56×45mm NATO	Belgium	Standard assault rifle used by Gurkha Contingent and units of the Police Special Operations Command, such as STAR unit and PTU.
Colt M4 Advanced Piston Carbine		Colt LE6940P	5.56×45mm NATO	USA	Used by Police Coast Guard Special Task Squadron and Emergency Response Team.
M16		M16A1

FN MAG		STK MAG 60.20	7.62×51mm NATO	Belgium	Used by the Gurkha Contingent and Police Coast Guard. Mounted on PCG boats.
FN Minimi		Minimi Para	5.56×45mm NATO	Belgium	Used by Gurkha Contingent.
STK 50MG		STK 50MG	.50 BMG	Singapore	Used by PCG. Mounted on STK ADDER RCWS onboard Patrol Interdiction Boats and other PCG boats.
M2 Browning		FN M2HB-QCB	.50 BMG	USA	Used by PCG. Mounted on STK ADDER RCWS onboard Patrol Interdiction Boats.
Sniper Rifles
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare		Arctic Warfare Police	7.62×51mm NATO	UK	Used by STAR and Gurkha Contingent snipers.
Grenade Launchers
Heckler & Koch HK69A1		HK69A1	40 mm grenade	Germany	Used by Police Tactical Unit of the Police Special Operations Command.
Autocannons
M242 Bushmaster		Mk 38 Mod 2	25 mm caliber	USA	Used by the Police Coast Guard. Mounted on the Typhoon Weapon Station onboard PCG boats.
20mm Oerlikon			20mm caliber	Switzerland	Used by the Police Coast Guard. Mounted onboard PCG boats.
Non-Lethals
TASER X26		X26P	Electrodes	USA	Use by all units of the police.
Pepperball VKS		VKS P4.1	LIVE-X	USA	Used by Police Tactical Unit of the Police Special Operations Command
Pepperball TAC700			LIVE-X	USA	Used by SPS SPEAR unit
FN 303			17.3 mm	Belgium	Used by PCG Special Task Squadron and SPS SPEAR unit.
FN 303P			17.3 mm	Belgium	Sidearm for SPS SPEAR unit.

Retired Weapons[edit]

• Sterling Mk IV SMG
• Sten Mk IV SMG
• Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk II bolt-action rifle and jungle carbine
• FN FAL / L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle
• Webley Mk IV .38 revolver
• Uzi SMG
• Mini Uzi carbine
• Federal Riot Gun
• Smith and Wesson Model 36 3″ Revolver and 2″ Hammer Shroud Revolver
• H&K P7 (limited use)
• Browning HP (limited use)
• Glock 34 (Police Shooting Team circa 1995)
• CP Truncheon

Vehicles[edit]

Land division officers typically patrol and respond to calls in vehicles known as the Fast Response Car (FRC). Car models that have been used by the SPF include the Subaru Impreza TS 1.6.

In 2005, the SPF introduced the new Fast Response Vehicle (FRV), consisting of modified Toyota Hi-Lux sport utility vehicles with a back compartment to carry equipment.

In 2009, the SPF introduced Forward Command Vehicles. These were replaced in 2017 by Division Command Vehicles with greater mobility designed to enhance command, control and coordination. In addition, the SPF introduced new unmanned aerial vehicles with red and blue siren lights, a searchlight, a high-definition camera and an audio warning system. The UAVs are controlled by two-man teams (consisting of a pilot and a safety officer) and are designed to conduct search and rescue operations, attending public order incidents, traffic management, hostage situations and crowd monitoring.

Police from the Community Policing Units may also patrol in residential neighbourhoods on bicycles. At the 2007 Singapore National Day Parade, the Singapore Police Force unveiled a Tenix S600 APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) had been purchased for its operations for the Special Operations Command, and in NDP 2015, the Achleitner HMV Survivor and the Gurkha MPV by Terradyne Armored Vehicles Inc was unveiled.

The various specialist units may also make use of other specialised equipment specific to their scope of duty

Other vehicles used by the various units include:

Land Divisions

Make and Model	Type	In service	Notes
BMW F30 325d M Sport	Sedan	2018–present	Only used by the Traffic Police Expressway Patrol Unit
Chevrolet Cruze NB 1.6D	Sedan	2016–present
Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 LT	Crossover SUV	2015–present
Hyundai Avante HD 1.6	Sedan	2010–present
Hyundai Elantra MD 1.6	Sedan	2014–present
Hyundai Sonata NF 2.0	Sedan	2011–present
Hyundai TL Tucson FL 1.6 GLS	Crossover SUV	2020–present	Approximately 300 vehicles to be delivered through 2024.
Hyundai Santa Fe	Crossover SUV	2018–present
Subaru Impreza GD	Sedan	2006–present	Currently only used for follow-up investigations.
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6 (E120)	Sedan	2005–present	Currently only used for follow-up investigations.
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6 (E140)	Sedan	2009–present
Toyota Corolla (E110)	Sedan	2002–present	Only used for follow-up investigations.
Volvo S80 T5 2.0	Sedan	2012–present	Only used by the Traffic Police Expressway Patrol Unit

Police Security Command

• Volvo XC60 – SUV
• Volvo S90 – Sedan
• Volvo S80 – Sedan
• Mitsubishi Pajero – SUV

Traffic Police

• BMW 2019 R1250RT – Motorbike 
• Yamaha Diversion XJ900P – Motorbike
• Volvo S80 – Sedan
• Subaru Impreza – Sedan
• BMW 325d – Sedan
• Iveco Daily – Van

Special Operations Command

Make and Model	Type	In service	Notes
Tenix Defence S600	APC	2006–present	Used by Special Tactics and Rescue Unit.
Mercedes-Benz Atego 1023A	Truck	2019–present	Used by Police Tactical Unit
MAN TGA 26.320	Truck	2010–present	Forward Command Vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 CDI	Van	2015–present	Used by Police Tactical Unit and Special Tactics and Rescue.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 416 CDI	Van	2010–present	Used by Police Dog Unit
Toyota Land Cruiser	SUV	2010–present	Used by Police Tactical Unit
Mitsubitshi Pajero	SUV	2010–present	Used by Special Tactics and Rescue
BMW F800 GS	Motorbike	2016–present	Used by Rapid Deployment Troops

Gurkha Contingent

Make and Model	Type	In service	Notes
Terradyne Armored Vehicles Gurkha MPV	APC	2015–present
Franz-Achleitner HMV Survivor I	APC	2015–present
Land Rover Defender Bullfighter	APC	2013–present	Anti-riot van.

Defunct divisions and establishments

• Old Police Academy (01°19′47″N 103°50′11″E) – vacated in 2006, relocated to Old Choa Chu Kang Road as part of the Home Team Academy, leaving behind the Police National Service provost unit and Traffic Police driving test school. The accommodation barracks and training facilities of the Old Police academy currently houses the training departments for all auxiliary police forces in Singapore.
• Geylang Police Division (01°19′35″N 103°53′26″E) defunct ‘C’ Division HQ – closed and vacated in 2000, areas of responsibility was divided between ‘A’, ‘F’ & ‘G’ Divisions. Station’s status – Currently in use by Geylang NPC under ‘G’ Bedok Police Division and by Public Transport Security Command.
• Toa Payoh Police Division (01°20′23″N 103°51′0″E) defunct ‘B’ Division HQ – closed and vacated in 1988, areas of responsibility was divided between ‘E’ & ‘F’ Divisions. Station was refurbished and is currently in use by Security Command.
• Police Radio Division (01°16′59″N 103°50′29″E) defunct “R” Division. Responsible for dispatching quick response “R” Division cars. Closed 1990s.

Land Divisions

• Beach Road Police Station (01°17′50″N 103°51′26″E) – former site of ‘A’ Division HQ, vacated in 2000.
• Eu Tong Sen Street Police Station (01°16′59″N 103°50′29″E) – former HQ site of CAD, CID & VSC since 1994, vacated in 2001 and was transferred to the charge of SLA. Station status pending.
• Joo Chiat Police Station (01°18′19″N 103°54′15″E) – former site of ‘G’ Division HQ, vacated in 1987 and was transferred to the charge of SLA, which in turn released the premises for use by private developers.
• Old Hill Street Police Station (01°17′26.61″N 103°50′53.31″E) – vacated in 1980, this old police station and barracks was renovated in 1983 and became part of MCCY and MCI.
• Paya Lebar Police Station (01°21′06″N 103°52′34″E) – former site of ‘F’ Division HQ, vacated in 1987, now became 2nd Division HQ SCDF.
• Queenstown Police Station (01°17′49″N 103°47′58″E) – former site of ‘D’ Division HQ, vacated in 1988, now became 1st Division HQ SCDF.
• Orchard Police Station – former site of ‘E’ Division HQ, demolished in 1983, now became ION Orchard and Orchard MRT station.
• Old Tanglin Police Station (01°18′21″N 103°49′20″E) – former site of ‘E’ Division HQ, vacated in 2001, now became Interpol Global Complex for Innovation.
• Taman Jurong Police Station (01°19′38″N 103°43′14″E) – vacated in 1980 and demolished in 1988, the surrounding land at the site has been redeveloped as a HDB housing precinct.
• Ama Keng Neighbourhood Police Post (01°24′12″N 103°42′5″E) sited directly across the road from Ama Keng Chinese Temple in Lim Chu Kang, the station was closed and demolished in 1980, currently replaced by a military training area.
• Bukit Panjang Neighbourhood Police Post (old)
• Pasir Panjang Neighbourhood Police Post (old) (01°17′30″N 103°46′6″E) – closed and vacated in 1986 following the inauguration of Pasir Panjang NPP & West Coast NPP. Demolished in 1991, the surrounding land at site was redeveloped as a private condominium – The Spectrum.
• Woodlands Neighbourhood Police Post (01°26′38″N 103°46′13″E) – closed in 1999 (located within the old Woodlands Checkpoint building since 1980), Woodlands Neighbourhood Police Centre has since taken over its duty.
• Kranji Neighbourhood Police Post (01°26′10″N 103°45′3″E) – closed and vacated in 1997 following the inauguration of Yew Tee NPP, building was demolished for land clearing to build factory.
• Woodlands West Neighbourhood Police Centre – closed in 2018 and merged with the new Woodlands Police Division building

Police Coast Guard

• Kallang Regional Base (01°18′15″N 103°52′16″E) – vacated in 2007, relocated to Brani Regional Base at Pulau Brani, now occupied by National Cadet Corps (Sea) Kallang Sea Training Centre.
• Jurong Regional Base (01°18′31″N 103°42′39″E) – vacated in 1999, relocated to Gul Regional Base, base was demolished to make way for the Jurong Island Highway.
• Pulau Sakeng Police Post (01°12′36″N 103°46′41″E) – closed and vacated in 1987 after the last islander left, the island was subsumed by the land reclamation process of the nearby Pulau Semakau. The Semakau landfill receiving station was built on top of the island after the reclamation process.
• Seletar Regional Base – vacated in 2005, relocated to Loyang Regional Base, base was demolished to make way for the Seletar Aerospace Park.

Dealing with offences committed by officers

Police officers are governed by the Police Force Act (Chapter 235) and its Police Regulations (Chapter 235, Section 28 and 117) of the Singapore Statutes. The disciplinary offences can be found in its schedule. Misfeasance and malfeasance such as blue wall of silence, conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, corruption, misconduct and malicious prosecution are referred to the Internal Affairs Office (IAO). The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) can be consulted to advise the police on its disciplinary proceedings. Police officers can whistleblow their colleagues’ official misconducts and wrongdoings by filing official police reports themselves to officially open investigation papers against lawless officers of the law. Full-time police national servicemen are also subjected to the Police (Special Constabulary) Regulations (Chapter 235, Section 85).

SPF HQ spokesperson routinely issues official statements stating that its officers are not only expected to uphold the law, but also to maintain the highest standards of conduct and integrity. The spokesperson added that SPF deals severely with officers who break the law, including charging them in court. Also, SPF usually commence disciplinary proceedings against the officers involved, and as well as suspend them pending internal investigations.

Notable cases

In March 1976, one of Singapore’s top prominent senior lawyers, the late Subhas Anandan, was arrested by a corrupt policeman for suspected involvement in a secret society under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act. He was remanded without trial in a prison for a few months. Subhas was exonerated and acquitted in November of the same year, following an investigation probe by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.

On 10 July 2013, ex-policeman Senior Staff Sergeant Iskandar Rahmat — a 14-year veteran award-winning investigation officer — killed a car workshop owner and the man’s son, and has since been on the death row from 2017 onward, after failing in his appeal and president clemency against the death sentence. The case was known as the Kovan double murders in Singapore media.

Media outreach effort

Through the Media Communication Division of the Public Affairs Department, SPF has collaborated with the media industry to produce content that supports and promote the mission and brand of the organisation.

Books

• In the service of the nation, 1985
• 999: True Cases from the CID, 1987
• Service to the Nation: 50 years of the Volunteer Special Constabulary, 1998
• Policing Singapore in the 19th & 20th centuries, 2002
• Justice is Done, 2005
• The Adventures of Constable Acai, 1987: A series of crime stories, based on actual crimes from police files were compiled into storybooks from the popular children’s magazine Young Generation, about the adventures of a fictional policeman named Constable Acai. They were written by officers from the Crime Prevention Department to instill crime awareness in children during the ’80s through to the mid-’90s. The other books in this series are as below:
  • More Adventures of Constable Acai, 1989
  • Constable Acai Fights Crime, 1996

Novels

• Operation Firestorm, 1997

Periodicals

• Singapore Police Magazine
• Police Life, 1971 to present
• Police Life Annual

Television programs

• Documentary
  • Crimewatch, 1986–Current
  • True Files, 2002–2007
• Drama Series
  • Seletar Robbery (实里达大劫案), 1982
  • CID ’83, 1983
  • First Step (踏上征途), 1986: On women in the police force
  • Patrol (铁警雄风), 1989: A take on the lives of the men in the Traffic Police Department
  • Private Eyes (妙探智多星), 1991
  • Ladies in action (霹雳红唇), 1992
  • Crime and Passion (執法先鋒), 1992
  • Lethal Duo (天使追辑令), 1994
  • Dr Justice (法医故事), 1994
  • Neighbourhood Heroies (大英雄小人物), 1995
  • Triple Nine, 1995-1998: On the adventures of a CID team.
  • Secret Files (机密档案), 1995
  • The Shadow Mission (地下猎人), 1995
  • The Dragons Five (飞龙五将), 1995
  • Dr Justice II (法医故事II), 1996
  • City Cops (警网双雄), 1996
  • Of Cops And Men (城市双雄), 1996
  • Pursuit of Justice (石破天惊), 1997
  • Act 235 (刑事235), 1998
  • Dare To Strike (扫冰者), 14 November 2000: the phrase “Dare to Strike” is the motto of the Central Narcotics Bureau
  • The Reunion (顶天立地), 26 December 2001
  • Heartlanders, 2002-2005: On two Neighbourhood Police Centre officers
  • True Heroes (真心英雄), 5 May 2003: On a rookie Neighbourhood Police Centre officer
  • The Frontline (家在前线), 2003: This fictional six-part TV show depicts how Singaporeans cope after the German mastermind of a neo-anarchist organisation sets off a bomb at a naval base as an anti-imperialistic statement against Singapore’s ties with the United States. It showcases the capabilities of the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Armed Forces to deal with terrorism. Many technologies introduced in this series has never been before shown to the public. It is also the only local television series to date to accurately depict the Police’s elite Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) team and the Army’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) although the latter unit was never addressed by name in the show. They were instead referred to as “The Commandos”.
  • When the Time Comes (一线之间), 2004
  • The Crime Hunters (心网追凶), 2004
  • Police & Thief, 2004–2010
  • Life Line, 2005–2007
  • Zero to Hero (阴差阳错), 2005
  • Without Warning, 2006
  • The Undisclosed (迷云二十天), 2006
  • C.I.D. (刑警2人组), 12 June 2006
  • Metamorphosis (破茧而出), 18 September 2007
  • Crime Busters x 2 (叮当神探), 30 September 2008
  • Unriddle (最火搭档), 2010
  • Vettai : Pledged to Hunt (வேட்டை), 23 November 2010 – 30 March 2011
  • C.L.I.F. (警徽天职), 2011: First drama to be produced in close collaboration with the Singapore Police Force. The second, third, fourth, and fifth seasons were aired in 2013, 2014, September 2016 and September 2019 respectively.
  • Unriddle 2 (最火搭档2), 2012
  • Vettai 2.0: The Next Generation (வேட்டை 2.0), 4 January 2012 – 11 May 2013
  • Vettai 3: The Final Judgement (வேட்டை 3), 17 November 2014 – present
    • Mata-Mata Season 1, 2013: background post-World War II in Singapore and establish woman police
    • Mata-Mata Season 2, 2014: A New Era, background after separation Singapore from Malaysia and secret society ’70s
    • Mata-Mata Season 3, 2016: A New Generation, background development Singapore and crime late ’70s,early ’80s and now

Movies

• The Last Blood (驚天十二小時), 1991
• Ace Cops (妙警点三八), 1996: Telemovie
• Life on the Line (魂断四面佛), 1996: Telemovie
• 2000 AD (公元2000), 1999
• After School (放学后), 2004: A film released by the National Crime Prevention Council to harness the power of cinema as a public education tool to reach out to young Singaporeans and their families.