Police Day Observance Ceremony 2025 – Speech by Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs

Commissioner of Police, Hoong Wee Teck

SPF officers

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. Good evening and I am so glad to be able to join you today for the Police Day Observance Ceremony 2025. It is my first official event and function with the Police since I have joined the Ministry of Home Affairs, and I hope this to be the first of many more to come.

Celebrating Police Day

2. Every year on 3rd June, we commemorate Police Day – a meaningful date in our nation’s history. It was on this day in 1959 that Singapore attained self-governance, and with it, the Singapore Police Force became fully accountable to our people for the safety and security of our home. Since then, over the past 66 years, the SPF has undergone a remarkable transformation. It has grown both in capability and in professionalism – in line with its vision to be a Force for the nation.

3. Today, Singapore is globally recognised as one of the safest cities in the world. In 2024, Singapore was ranked second globally by Gallup for law and order, and by the World Justice Project for order and security. The trust of Singaporeans in the Police remains very strong. In the SPF’s 2024 Public Perception Survey, over 97% of respondents said they trusted the Police.

4. These achievements underpin Singapore’s successes in many other areas. A safe and secure Singapore supports our economic development. Businesses are prepared to invest in the nation for the long term and create good jobs for our people. Singaporeans and foreigners can also live with peace of mind. They know that our streets are safe for their children to walk at any time of the day. They know that the Police remain resolute to maintaining law and order daily and are prepared to deal with any threat.

5. This would not be possible without the sustained effort of generations of SPF officers, working hand-in-hand with the community.

(a) So, to our officers, past and present: Policing, we know, is an inherently challenging profession. Threats to our public order and security remain ever present, and your operating environment is increasingly complex and highly demanding. Thank you very much for your steadfast dedication round the clock, for putting your lives on the line to uphold and enforce our laws, to keep Singaporeans safe and secure.

(b) To our volunteers, partners, and our stakeholders: Thank you too for your commitment and support in working together with the SPF to serve the public. Your contributions have been essential in fostering a stronger relationship between the SPF and our community. That’s a very important partnership. Let us continue in these collaborations to safeguard Singapore each day and every day for all Singaporeans.

50 Years of Police National Service

6. This year, we mark a very significant milestone – the 50th anniversary of Police National Service (PNS).

7. Since its introduction in 1975, Police National Service has played a vital role in strengthening our nation’s safety and security. It was conceived during a pivotal moment in our history, and it serves as a credible and indispensable deterrent against security threats.

(a) Just a year before 1975, Singapore faced its first major encounter with international terrorism – the Laju incident. Four armed hijackers targeted the oil refinery on Pulau Bukom and later hijacked a ferry with civilians on board while escaping.

(b) In the wake of that incident, we acted decisively. We recognised the urgent need to strengthen the protection of our vital installations. And so, full-time PNS was introduced – where their role was established to serve as a credible deterrent against future threats.

8. Since then, our PNS officers have stood shoulder to shoulder with their regular counterparts in frontline operational duties daily. They patrol our streets, they respond to incidents, and they are a visible, credible presence in keeping our communities safe. When performing their frontline duties, they often have to make quick decisions, sometimes to protect the lives of others.

9. Our PNS officers have also been a constant presence at large-scale and major security events.

(a) In the recent General Election, more than 8,000 PNS officers were recalled and deployed island-wide to ensure a safe and secure polling experience for all Singaporeans.

(b) Since 2023, PNS officers have also been deployed for anti-drone operations during major security events.

10. Over the years, as the security threat landscape evolved, the SPF’s capabilities have also strengthened considerably and our PNS officers’ roles have expanded. In the 2000s, PNS officers were trained and deployed at specialist units such as the Police Coast Guard and the Traffic Police. In 2009, the SPF established the Public Transport Security Command (TransCom). In 2016, it formed the Protective Security Command (ProCom). These units safeguard our public transportation systems and critical infrastructure and are made up of predominantly PNS officers.

11. More recently, in response to the scourge of scams and cybercrime, which now account for the majority of crimes in Singapore, the SPF launched a new National Service Cybercrime Operator (NSCO) vocation last year.

(a) Two batches of NSCOs have since been deployed to frontline units in the Anti-Scam Command and the Cybercrime Command. They are at the forefront of safeguarding Singapore’s digital space as our new generation of cyber defenders.

12. The SPF supports its PNS officers in their aspirations and provides many opportunities for personal development during and beyond their PNS journey.

(a) Since 2021, full-time PNS officers can obtain industry-recognised certifications for selected training that they undergo with the SPF. These certifications provide them with a head-start for their future civilian careers.

(b) Now, there are also opportunities for full-time PNS officers to attend courses on AI tools and programmes in Python. They are also exposed to modern training technology, like the use of virtual reality in simulated scenario-based training, and this would also prepare them well to work in the digital world.

13. In today’s observance ceremony, as you heard earlier, SUPT (NS) Cyril Lim, a PNSman, is the parade commander. This marks only the second time that a PNSman is leading the parade segment for Police Day. The first time we had a PNSman leading the parade was 25 years ago, when we celebrated the silver jubilee for PNS.

(a) Cyril is presently a deputy director with a major homegrown F&B enterprise, where he leads a team in ensuring compliance with food safety standards and workplace health regulations. On top of his full-time job, Cyril has been fully committed to fulfilling his PNS responsibility for the past 15 years since his ORD. Today, he is the NS Deputy Commander for Jurong Police Division, where he oversees the deployment of PNSmen at national events and mentors the younger PNS leaders. Thank you very much Cyril for being here and being our parade commander today.

14. To recognise our PNS officers’ contributions and to commemorate 50 years of PNS, the SPF will be holding a series of events this year.

(a) The key events for this year’s celebrations include launching a PNS50 time capsule at the Annual Police Dinner, holding the graduation parade of the 200th PNSF intake, and featuring PNS officers’ experiences and contributions at the Police Community Roadshows.

15. To our PNS officers, both past and present, thank you very much for stepping up to serve our Nation, taking your training seriously, and discharging your duties with the utmost professionalism. You have played an invaluable role to keep Singapore safe and secure. To your families and employers, thank you too for your support for our PNSmen to be here, to perform their duties.

Centennial of the Singapore Police Force Band

16. Other than PNS50, the SPF is also celebrating another significant milestone this year – the centennial of the SPF Band. The SPF Band was established in 1925 and is the oldest uniformed band in Singapore.

17. It has grown from strength to strength over the past 100 years, from a small regimental marching band to a versatile performance band with more than 60 officers today.

18. On top of being dedicated musicians, they are also well-trained full-time Police officers who are deployed on the ground and contribute fully to the Police mission. During major events, they perform duties together with the other officers in SPF to ensure operational success.

19. The SPF Band is an important institution in upholding our traditions. Its music has accompanied Police officers and Singaporeans alike, through parades, through national ceremonies and very special occasions.

20. The SPF Band plays a unique role within the Force. It represents the softer side of policing – bringing people together, building rapport with the community, and projecting the values of the Force through music and through public engagement.

21. Both domestically and as well as on the international stage – sometimes as the only Asian band on that stage – the Band serves as cultural ambassadors for the SPF. The SPF Band has been invited to many prestigious events, such as the Basel Tattoo and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – twice. On top of showcasing Singapore’s rich cultural heritage, the Band also demonstrates that policing is not just about enforcing the law, but it is also connecting with and engaging the community that we serve.

Conclusion

22. Police Day is more than just an annual celebration of the SPF’s past successes. It is really also an occasion for officers to re-dedicate yourselves to the values that the SPF upholds and to re-affirm your commitment and duty to the nation.

23. So, I urge all officers in the SPF to continue to work with dedication and professionalism as you face new challenges. Maintain the trust and the respect of our nation that you have sworn to serve and to protect.

24. I want to thank you once again for your service, for keeping Singapore and Singaporeans safe and secure. I wish everyone a very Happy Police Day. Thank you very much.