1. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and its Home Team Departments (HTDs) commemorated the inaugural Home Team Day this morning. Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and for Law, was the event’s Guest-of-Honour. It was attended by more than 300 Home Team (HT) officers, national servicemen and volunteers.
Home Team Concept
2. The HT comprises MHA Headquarters and 10 HTDs – the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Internal Security Department (ISD), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Prison Service (SPS), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Home Team Academy (HTA), Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX), Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) and Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG).
3. The HT concept was launched on 24 February 1997, by then-Minister for Home Affairs Mr Wong Kan Seng. It centres around the idea that while each department under MHA performs a specific role, all share the common mission of keeping Singapore safe and secure. The word “Home” is derived from the Ministry of Home Affairs, while “Team” signifies our commitment to work together as one.
4. The HT concept underpins the way HTDs train, plan and operate today, to ensure an integrated and coordinated approach to our mission. Safety and security challenges are becoming more complex and a single HTD alone cannot tackle them as effectively. Collaboration between the HTDs enables us to leverage each other’s strengths and make the best use of our resources, achieving greater effectiveness and efficiency in our operations (see Annex A for factsheet of key initiatives centred around the HT concept).
Home Team Day
5. HT Day celebrates the unwavering dedication of all our officers, including national servicemen and volunteers, to safeguarding Singapore’s safety and security. Launched on the 27th anniversary of the HT concept, HT Day will be a day for HT officers to reflect on their roles and responsibilities as Guardians of Our Home, and reaffirm their commitment to our mission, and our core values of Honour and Unity. It will be commemorated annually every 24th of February henceforth.
6. Speaking at the launch event at HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir Clubhouse, Minister Shanmugam reiterated the significance of the HT’s integrated and coordinated approach, especially in today’s increasingly complex environment.
7. In recognition of the importance of culture in the HT’s continued success, Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs) Mr Pang Kin Keong launched the Home Team Culture Guide. The guide institutionalises the shared values, and desired behaviours and mental models, that define us as HT officers.
Home Team Day Launch Event
8. At this morning’s launch event, HT officers from all the HTDs came together for friendly inter-sector competitions as part of the Home Team Games, including tug-of-war and athletics. These games, which have been held annually, are meant to build strong bonds and teamwork across the HT. The family members of HT officers also attended the carnival, where they were treated to food, activities and performances.
9. In conjunction with HT Day, 170 HT officers participated in the Home Team Challenge which took place on 20 and 21 February 2024. The challenge involved a series of games held at five HT sites including the SPS SPEAR Base where officers had to clear an obstacle course, and the HT Academy where officers had to solve a series of puzzles based on HT operational scenarios. These games allowed officers across the HT to experience the work of their counterparts, appreciate each other’s unique operational challenges, and foster greater understanding and teamwork.
Appreciation for HT Officers
10. In appreciation for their contributions to the safety and security of Singapore and Singaporeans, eligible HT officers, national servicemen and those serving in the Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) and Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit (CDAU) will be given a complimentary one-year HomeTeamNS membership from mid-March 2024 onwards. This will also entitle them to a variety of HT Day-related promotions and discounts from private sector supporters of the HT, ranging from food & beverage, beauty and wellness, lifestyle and entertainment, shopping and fashion, electronics and petrol merchants.
11. HT officers also received a Commemorative Medallion, engraved with MHA’s logo and the crests of all 10 HTDs (see picture in Annex B).
