SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE HISTORY

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Encyclopedia The Singapore Police Force (Abbreviation: SPF; ; ; ) is the main agency tasked with maintaining law and order in the city-state. Formerly known as the Republic of Singapore Police (Abbreviation: RSP; ), it has grown from an 11-man organisation to a 38,587 strong force. It enjoys a relatively positive public image, and is credited for helping to arrest Singapore's civic unrests and lawlessness in its early years, and maintaining the low crime rate today despite having a smaller police-citizen ratio compared to other major cities. Singapore has been ranked consistently in the top five positions in the Global Competitiveness Report in terms of its reliability of police services.

The organisation structure of the SPF is split between the staff and line functions, roughly modelled after the military. There are currently 15 staff departments and 13 line units. 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.
History



Early years

The Singapore Police Force has a heritage almost as old as that of modern Singapore, having been formed in 1819 with a skeleton force of 11 men under the command of Francis James Bernard, son-in-law of William Farquhar, and kept in operation with a monthly budget of $300. Manpower constraints meant that the men had to perform a wide range of roles, and required the help of headmen amongst 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 funeral 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 the military and policing professionals were traditionally shunned by the Chinese community, which therefore impaired policing efforts amongst 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 was 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.

Criminal violence was not merely in the domain of the ethnic Chinese, however. 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.
Police Pledge

We pledge to be loyal and true to the Police service and the Republic of Singapore.

We pledge to uphold the law, to protect life and property, to prevent and detect crime.

We pledge to discharge our responsibilities without fear or favour, regardless of race, language or religion.

We pledge to strive for excellence, to be proactive and to exercise initiative in our duties.

We pledge to serve our community and our country and to be courteous and humane in our dealings with every fellowman.
Police Headquarters
Appointment Rank Abbreviation Name Address
Commissioner of Police Commissioner of Police CP Ng Joo Hee New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Deputy Commissioner (Policy) Deputy Commissioner of Police DCP Wong Hong Kuan  New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Chief of Staff Senior Assistant Commissioner SAC Vacant New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Senior Director (P&D) Senior Assistant Commissioner SAC Ang Hak Seng New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road

Staff departments
Department Abbreviation Director Address
Administration and Finance Department A&F SUPT Jo Choo New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Commercial Affairs Department CAD Mr. Ng Hian Sun Police Cantonment Complex, 391 New Bridge Road Block D
Criminal Investigation Department CID AC Hoong Wee Teck Police Cantonment Complex, 391 New Bridge Road Block C
Manpower Department MPD SAC Jerry See New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Operations Department OPS AC Lim Kok Thai New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Planning and Organisation Department P&O AC Ng Yeow Boon New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Police Custodial Department PCD AC Jarmal Singh New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Police Intelligence Department PID AC Hoong Wee Teck New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Police Logistics Department PLD DAC Stephen Teng New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Police National Service Department PNSD AC Tan Ngo Chew Old Police Academy, 1 Mount Pleasant Road Block 2A
Police Technology Department PTD MR Kan Siew Ning New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Public Affairs Department PAD AC Ng Guat Ting New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Security Industry Regulatory Department SIRD DAC Jessica Kwok New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Service Development and Inspectorate Department SDI AC Anselm Lopez New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road
Volunteer Special Constabulary VSC AC (V) S Lakshmanan Police Cantonment Complex, 391 New Bridge Road Block C
Traffic Police Department TP DAC Cheang Keng Keong 10 Ubi Avenue 3
Training Command TRACOM AC Zuraidah Abdullah Home Team Academy, 501 Old Choa Chu Kang Road
National Police Cadet Corps NPCC SUPT Rosalind Khoo Home Team Academy, 501 Old Choa Chu Kang Road

Line units
Line units Abbreviation Commander Address
Ang Mo Kio Police Division 'F' Division DAC Hsu Sin Yun 51 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9
Bedok Police Division 'G' Division DAC Teo Chun Ching 30 Bedok North Road
Central Police Division 'A' Division DAC Tan Hung Hooi Police Cantonment Complex, 391 New Bridge Road Block A
Clementi Police Division 'D' Division DAC Melvin Yong 20 Clementi Avenue 5
Jurong Police Division 'J' Division DAC Florence Chua 2 Jurong West Avenue 5
Tanglin Police Division 'E' Division DACKoh Yak Leng 21 Kampong Java Road
Airport Police AP DAC Keok Tong San 35 Airport Boulevard
Gurkha Contingent GC DAC Ross Forman Mount Vernon Camp
Police Coast Guard PCG AC Teo Kian Teck 11 Brani Way
Public Transport Security Command TransCom DAC Andy Tan  132 Paya Lebar Road (Old Geylang Police Station, Geylang NPC)
Security Command SecCom DAC Lim Chee Pheng 2 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh (Old Toa Payoh Police Station)
Special Operations Command SOC AC Raymond Yeo Queensway Base

Finances

The Singapore Police Force receives the highest budget allocation annually compared to the various departments of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), regularly accounting for about 50% ot its annual budget. For the financial year 2006 (for the year beginning 1 April 2006), S$2.27 billion was budgeted to the MHA, of which 52.8%, or S$1.28 billion was allocated for the Police Programme. Actual expenses in the 2006 financial year was S$1.33 billion, of which S$1.14 billion was spent on operating expenditure (against the budgeted S$1.10 billion) and S$188.28 million on development expenditure (budgeted at $171.52 million). Manpower costs amounting to S$709.11 million continue to dominate the SPF's expenditure, accounting for 62.2% of its operating expenditure and 53.4% of total expenditure in FY2006.
Year ended Operating Expenditure Development Expenditure Total Expenditure
Other Operating
(millions) Manpower
(millions) Total
(millions) Budgeted Total
(millions) Budgeted Total
(millions) Budgeted
31 March 2004 325.61 636.47 962.08 142.14 1,104.22
31 March 2005 325.27 655.56 980.83 214.83 1,195.66
31 March 2006 343.11 668.62 1011.73 948,615,140 267.74 246,085,700 1,279.47 1,194,700,840
31 March 2007 431.13 709.11 1,140.24 1,103,597,000 188.28 171,522,700 1,328.52 1,275,119,700
31 March 2008
1,218,736,370
69,353,000
1,288,089,370
31 March 2009
1,246,301,000
129,985,000
1,376,286,000


The latest budget for financial year 2008, S$1.38 billion was allocated to the Police Programme, or 47.2% of MHA's total budget of S$2.91 billion (The Ministry of Defence, in comparison, receives a S$10.08 billion budget allocation). This includes S$1.25 billion for Operating expenditure and $129.99 million for Development Expenditure. The main Development Expenditures expected in FY2008 included the installation of an electronic surveillance system, the building of an Integrated Tactical Training Centre and procurement of new Coastal Patrol Crafts for the Police Coast Guard.
Manpower


As at 31 March 2006, the total strength of the force stands at 34,397, of which 12,496 are full-time staff. Manpower trends in recent years are as follows:
Year ended Regulars Civilians PNSF PNSmen VSC Total
31 March 2003 7,791 1,210 3,664 21,843 1,020 35,528
31 March 2004 8,035 1,238 4,104 22,311 1,098 36,786
31 March 2005 8,001 1,255 3,958 23,461 1,164 37,839
31 March 2006 7,949 1,246 3,861 24,349 1,182 38,587
31 March 2007 7,826 1,206 3,464 20,852 1,049 34,397


The full-time uniformed officers are predominantly male, accounting for about 87% of total full-time strength. This is in part due to the all-male profile of PNSFs, although the ratio of female regular officers has been steadily increasing over the years. The force is also dominated by younger officers. Besides the presence of PNSFs who usually serve up to two years typically from age 18, there is also a relatively high turnover rate amongst regular officers.
Regulars

Regulars, or uniformed, full-time officers, constitute about 20% of the police's total workforce and number approximately 8,000 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$1,559.43 to $2,186.90, and that of senior police officers from S$2,650.00 to S$3,889.00, depending on entry qualifications and National Service.

Police officers commence their careers as Sergeants (Full GCE 'A' level or Diploma holders) or Corporals (other qualifications), while senior police officers start as either Assistant Superintendent of Police (2nd Upper Honours Degree and above) or Inspectors (2nd Lower Honours degree and lower). Reviews of an officer's performance for promotion consideration are conducted annually. Interviews conducted for promotion to certain ranks were phased out since 1995. It takes approximately five years for a police officer to be promoted to the next rank, although the system allows for accelerated promotion for outstanding officers.

While joining the force as a career is generally considered a respectable decision in contemporary Singapore, support from the ethnic Malay community has been traditionally stronger due to less social stigma attached to the profession. Traditionally, Chinese culture has eschewed careers in uniformed positions, resulting in a force dominated by non-Chinese officers for most of the force's early history. National servicemen also contribute a higher proportion of ethnic Malays in the force. The current ethnic profile of the force continues to have a significantly higher proportion of ethnic minorities compared to the national ethnic profile, although such an outcome is related to operational demands: police resources are typically deployed with a diverse ethnic mix to decrease communication problems while attending to incidents in ethnically-diverse Singapore.

Competition in the employment market, usually heating up during economic boom times, occasionally depressed the number of police recruits as well as its existing ranks. A series of major incidents in 2008 affecting agencies of the Home Affairs Ministry has led to the ministry conducting a study which concluded that there is a shortage of officers, resulting in officers being "overstretched, strained and overstressed". In the police force, it was admitted that the recruitment and retention of non-graduate police officers has been "adversely affected by the tighter labour market", with resignation rates increasing by 50% between 2004 and 2007. Recruitment figures, while remaining relatively stable, has been unable to "address the higher demands placed on the Force". Various measures were thus taken in response, including an increase in starting salaries, sign-on bonuses for senior police officers, and retention bonuses of up to S$30,000 for non-graduate police officers in a bid to encourage them to stay for at least eight years, over the five years where many leave at the end of their service bonds.
Police national servicemen

While national service was introduced in 1967 in Singapore, it was solely geared towards the building up of the Singapore Armed Forces. There was little urgency in the police force to increase its manpower strength until the Laju incident in 1974 demonstrated the need for additional trained reserve officers who can be called up at short notice in the event of an emergency. National service was thus extended to the Singapore Police Force in 1975, with the primary aim of guarding key installations and to act as a reserve unit. Subsequent expansion of the scheme, changing security needs, and the trend in outsourcing installation protection (such as to the Auxiliary Police Forces) has expanded their role to more functions, which may range from administration, investigation to front-line policing 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 year 2000.
Civilian staff

Civilian staff in the Police Force are deployed in areas such as technology, logistics, human resource and administrative and finance services as well as planning and intelligence.
The civilian staff schemes falls under the general civil service schemes managed by the Public Service Division. These schemes include:
Management Executive Scheme(MX) for degree holders
Home Affairs Senior Executive (HASE)
Corporate Support Scheme (CS) for diploma and below
Technical Support Officer
Corporate Support Officer

The civilization of non-core police functions have 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 organizations such as Ministry of Finance's VITAL.org for administrative staff and partners such as Singapore Technologies, CSA Singapore 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 Computer Club
Police Sports Association (PSA)
Police Welfare Division
Senior Police Officers' Mess (SPOM)
Singapore Police Co-operative Society Limited

Uniforms



Dark blue (or more accurately Dacron blue) is the organisational colour of the Singapore Police Force, and has remained so continuously since 1969, although the first police uniforms introduced in 1856 were also in the same colour.

On 1 July 1969, dacron blue made a comeback to the uniform with a force-wide change away from khaki overnight, in part to coincide with Singapore's 150th anniversary since its founding in 1819. The new uniform comprises a dark blue peak cap, shirt, trousers, black belt, shoes and socks, and coded whistle lanyard in blue and white. 3 large and 4 small metal buttons, metal collar badges, and a metal cap badge are affixed, and a black plastic name tag completes the uniform. Metallic ranks, if any, are fixed to the sleeve or on the shoulders for senior officers. The lanyard was changed to a metal chain in 1972, and in 1985, the material of the uniform was changed from 75% polyester 25% cotton to 100% polyester for ease of daily maintenance.

Derivatives of the standard blue uniform (collectively called the no.3 uniform) was adopted for specialised forces and for all officers in various occasions which calls for more formal or casual attire. The Traffic Police Department was amongst the few to move away from the all-blue attire, adopting 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 has 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. SOC officers wear combat boots while officers in PCG use lace up leather shoes with non-slip soles. These units also tend to adopt the beret as their headgear, although PCG officers use the baseball cap while on operational duties.

There was no major change to the uniform since then, except for the adoption of embroidered shoulder ranks and badges for all ranks in the 1990s. Other changes are less distinct, such as the upgrading of shoes used, the change of the belt material and belt buckle to one including the police crest, and changes to the peak cap to a more durable and ventilated version.
Ranks

A standard rank structure is used throughout the police force, although some ranks may be unique to specific organisations. These ranks are denoted where applicable in the following list, which lists them in ascending seniority:
Police officers

The rank of Corporal was abolished in 1972, but reinstated in 1976. In 1997, all ranks were shifted from the sleeves to the epaulettes, except for the Gurkha Contingent. Also in the same year, the Station Inspector rank was changed from collar pips to epaulettes with a new design similar to that of the SAF Warrant Officers, and the rank of Senior Station Inspector was introduced. In 1998, the Senior Station Inspector (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. The 2006, the Gurkha Contingent adopted embroidered ranks as part of an overhaul of its combat dress, but are worn on the right front pocket.http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/inescutcheon/RanksMilitary.htm&date=2009-10-26+00:26:41
Rank Abbreviation Trainee Regular NSF NSmen VSC Gurkha
Constable PC T/PC NA NA PC PC PC
Special Constable SC T/SC NA SC NA NA NA
Corporal CPL T/CPL CPL |SC/CPL CPL (NS) CPL (V) CPL
Sergeant SGT T/SGT SGT SC/SGT SGT (NS) SGT (V) SGT
Staff Sergeant SSGT NA SSGT SC/SSGT SSGT (NS) SSGT (V) SSGT
Senior Staff Sergeant SSSGT NA SSSGT NA SSSGT (NS) SSSGT (V) SSSGT
Station Inspector SI NA SI NA SI (NS) SI (V) SI
Senior Station Inspector SSI NA SSI NA SSI (NS) SSI (V) NA
Senior Station Inspector (2) SSI (2) NA SSI (2) NA SSI(2) (NS) SSI(2)(V) NA

Senior police officers
Rank Abbreviation Trainee Regular NSF NSmen VSC Gurkha
Inspector INSP OCT(NSF)
P/INSP INSP NSPI
NSI INSP (NS) INSP (V)
Chief Inspector NA NA NA NA NA NA C/INSP
Assistant Superintendent ASP P/ASP ASP ASP (NS) ASP (NS) ASP (V) ASP
Deputy Superintendent DSP NA DSP NA DSP (NS) DSP (V) DSP
Superintendent SUPT NA SUPT NA SUPT (NS) SUPT(V) SUPT
Deputy Assistant Commissioner DAC NA DAC NA NA DAC (V) DAC
Assistant Commissioner AC NA AC NA NA AC(V) AC
Senior Assistant Commissioner SAC NA SAC NA NA NA NA
Deputy Commissioner of Police DCP/DC NA DCP NA NA NA NA
Commissioner of Police CP NA CP NA NA NA NA

Weapons and equipment

Police officers in the various divisions are armed when conducting regular uniformed patrols and plainclothes duties. A force-wide change from the 5-shot Smith & Wesson Model 36 (with 3 inch barrel) to the 5-shot .38 Taurus Model 85 was undertaken in August 2002, featuring a laser sight and a new snatch-resistant holster. A new speedloader was introduced in the same year to replace the old bullet pouch, allowing for quicker reloading of the revolvers and reducing the likelihood of misplaced bullets. In 2001, the Monadnock PR-21 side handle baton (more commonly known as the T-baton) replaced the wooden batons and retractable nightsticks to enhance their defensive capabilities. In addition, each officer is issued with one pair of handcuffs.

The primary communication tool carried by each officer is through a digital radio set provided by Matra Nortel Communications, the same provider for other Home Team organisations such as the Singapore Civil Defence Force. A trial of individual palmtops (called mPOD), developed from the Hewlett-Packard Jornada 928, which allows officers to screen persons and vehicles on the go without having to rely on radio communication. There are currently no plans to roll out the mPOD forcewide as the results of the trial were not considered favourable.

Also currently on trial by officers from Bukit Merah East Neighbourhood Police Centre and Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre is the Taser X26 stun gun, which provides another non-lethal means of subduing suspects. Despite some safety concerns due to incidents experienced by foreign police forces, the weapon was deemed suitable for use by trained personnel, and was rolled out in phases across other NPCs.

Strict enforcement of anti-arm laws which are in existence in Singapore since 1823 has resulted in a relatively disarmed society, where firearms-related crimes are rare. It is therefore not an operational requirement for police officers to don bulletproof vests when conducting normal policing duties. However, these vests are carried in police vehicles and stocked in police establishments and can be rapidly utilised should the situation require it. From 2004, new multi-purpose vests were introduced which offer officers protection against most handgun fire, knife thrusts, as well as doubling up as a buoyancy vest should officers fall into deep water.

In 2006, the Singapore Police Force acquired new firearms for the Special Operations Command, namely the Sphinx 3000 pistol. Prior to this, the standard issue for the SOC was the SIG P226 pistol, also operated by the Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command. Heckler & Koch USP pistols are also known to be used by the Criminal Investigation Department, Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR), Security Command and the Police Coast Guard's Special Task Squadron. The Singapore Police Force, also uses the Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun and the Remington 870 shotgun.
Vehicles



Land division officers typically respond to calls in rapid-deployment vehicles known as the Fast Response Car (FRC). The SPF have been staunch users of Japanese-made saloon cars since the 1980s for patrol duties, with the mainstay models in use being the various generations of the Mitsubishi Lancers, Mazda 323s and Toyota Corollas. At the turn of the century they have also included Nissan Sunnys, and most recently acquired Subaru Impreza 1.6 TS sedans (not to be confused with the Subaru Impreza WRX used by the Traffic Police). All FRCs carry a large array of equipment to allow officers to conduct normal policing duties and basic investigative work which officers are expected to perform with the implementation of the Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) system. A typical FRC vehicle may therefore stock equipment for the force-opening of locked doors, conducting roadblocks, fingerprint collection, and the provision of first aid. On top of these, chemical agent protection equipment and bulletproof vests are also carried for the officer's protection.

In 2002, the Enhanced Patrol Vehicle Project was unveiled at the SPF's annual workplan seminar to highlight the need for off-road capability. The Volvo V70 AWD XC, Mitsubishi Space Wagon and Mitsubishi Chariot underwent evaluation in various NPCs. Eventually, all NPCs were to have at least three of such vehicles, but the project was met with skepticism by some of the public, stating that the police need not use such "luxurious vehicles" for police patrols. In 2004, the new Fast Response Vehicle (FRV) was introduced, consisting of cheaper modified Toyota Hi-Lux sport utility vehicles. These vehicles utilise diesel-power which provide greater ability to endure high usage on the roads over extensive periods of time. Their bigger storage space also allows for easier storage and retrieval of equipment.

Other vehicles typically used in NPCs include the scooters and vans. Bicycles, although currently less seen, are still used by land division officers occasionally, particularly when conducting routine patrols in large, sprawling private housing estates. At NDP 2007, the Singapore Police Force unveiled a Tenix S600 APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) had been purchased for its operations for the Special Operations Command.

For weaponry, equipment and vehicles of the various specialist forces, please see their respective pages for details.
Auxiliary Police Forces
Aetos Security Management Private Limited (CIAS / PSA / ST Kinetics)
Certis CISCO Security Private Limited - The oldest and largest auxiliary.
Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) Auxiliary Police Force
Corporate Security and Revenue Scrutiny (CREUNCSE) Auxiliary Police Force

Units
Old Police Academy  - 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  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  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.

Land Divisions
Beach Road Police Station  - former site of 'A' Division HQ, vacated in 2000 and was transferred to the charge of Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which in turn released the premises for use by private developers.
Eu Tong Sen Street Police Station  - 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  - 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  - vacated in 1980, this old police station and barracks was refurbished and rebuilt in 2001, it currently houses the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts of Singapore.
Paya Lebar Police Station  - former site of 'F' Division HQ, vacated in 1987, released for use by 2nd Division HQ SCDF.
Queenstown Police Station  - former site of 'D' Division HQ, vacated in 1988, released for use by 1st Division HQ SCDF.
Old Tanglin Police Station  - former site of 'E' Division HQ, vacated in 2001, currently being redeveloped as the Interpol Global Complex.
Taman Jurong Police Station  - vacated in 1980 and demolished in 1988, the surrounding land at the site has been redeveloped as a HDB housing precinct.
Ama Keng Police Sub-station  sited directly across the road from Ama Keng Chinese Temple in Lim Chu Kang, the station was closed and vacated in 1980, duties taken over by Jurong Police Division.
Bukit Panjang Police Sub-station
Pasir Panjang Police Sub-station  - 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 Police Sub-station  - closed in 1999 (located within the old Woodlands Checkpoint building since 1980), Woodlands Neighbourhood Police Centre has since taken over its duty.
Kranji Police Post  - closed and vacated in 1997 following the inauguration of Yew Tee NPP, building was demolished for land clearing to build factory.

Police Coast Guard
Kallang Regional Base  - vacated in 2007, relocated to Brani Regional Base at Pulau Brani, status pending.
Jurong Regional Base  - vacated in 1999, relocated to Gul Regional Base, base was demolished to make way for the Jurong Island Highway.
Pulau Sakeng Police Post  - 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.

Popular media works related to SPF

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 story books 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 80's through to the mid 90's. 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
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
Crime and Passion (執法先鋒), 1991
Triple Nine, 1995-1998: On the adventures of a CID team.
City Cops (城市双雄), 1996
Of Cops And Men (警网双雄), 1996
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 (城市英雄), 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".
Police & Thief, 2004–2010
Life Line, 2005–2007
Without Warning, 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
C.L.I.F. (警徽天职), 2011


Movies
The Last Blood (驚天十二小時), 1991
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.

See also

Project Griffin
Major crimes in Singapore
Law enforcement in Singapore
List of law enforcement agencies
Internal Security Department
Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau

External links
Organization, Recruitment, and Training of Police
Public Order and Internal Security (1989)
Singapore Police Force Band
Training the Police
Police-related Singapore news
Crossing the generation gap
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