Singapore Police Force

The Singapore Police Force is as old as modern Singapore. The Force was formed in 1820,[7] 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.[8]

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.[7] Raffles approved these arrangements by August 1820 and cemented the formal establishment of a police force in Singapore.[9] 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 on 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.[10]

Jurong Police Division Headquarters at Jurong West Avenue 5, note the Singapore Police Force crest prominently displayed.

The murder rate in Singapore is reportedly low.[11]

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).[33] 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.[33]

The latest budget for fiscal year 2015, S$2.47 billion was allocated to the Police Programme,[33] 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).[34] 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.[35]

As of 31 March 2018, the total strength of the force stands at 44,484, of which 15,989 are full-time staff.[2] Manpower trends in recent years are as follows:

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.[45]

The following rank structure is used throughout the police force:[46]

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.[47] 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).[48][49]

Police officers are governed by the Police Force Act (Chapter 235)[56] and its Police Regulations (Chapter 235, Section 28 and 117)[57] of the Singapore Statutes.[58]

Moreover, the disciplinary offences can be found in its schedule.[59] Misfeasance and malfeasance such as blue wall of silence, conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, corruption, misconduct and malicious prosecution[60][61][62] are referred to the Internal Affairs Office (IAO).[63]

Furthermore, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) can be consulted to advise the Police on its disciplinary proceedings.[64]

Additionally, 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.[65][66][67][68] [69][70]

In addition, police full-time national servicemen are also subjected to the Police (Special Constabulary) Regulations (Chapter 235, Section 85).[71]

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.[70] The spokesperson added that SPF deals severely with officers who break the law, including charging them in court.[69] Also, SPF usually commence disciplinary proceedings against the officers involved, and as well as suspend them pending internal investigations.

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.[78]

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[79]
• 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.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Singapore Police Force.

• List of Singapore police officers killed in the line of duty
• List of major crimes in Singapore
• Crime in Singapore
• Project Griffin
• Law enforcement in Singapore
• List of law enforcement agencies
• Internal Security Department
• Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau

• Singapore Police Force on Facebook
• Library resources in your library and in other libraries about Singapore Police Force
• Organisation, Recruitment, and Training of Police
• Public Order and Internal Security (1989)
• Training the Police
• Police-related Singapore news
• Crossing the generation gap