MHA COS 2025: Building a Future-Oriented and Trusted Home Team

GRAPHIC: Amber Qua

GRAPHIC: Amber Qua

The threat landscape is increasingly complex. Criminals are exploiting technology, in particular, Artificial Intelligence (AI), to carry out more sophisticated crimes and to hit more victims.

Manpower constraints are also more binding. Birth rates are declining and the competition for talent is very competitive. The Home Team (HT) will embark on the next bound of transformation to tackle new and growing demands.

Leveraging Technology 

Last year, the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) launched the HT AI Movement to accelerate the development and delivery of AI capabilities across the HT. We have started to use some of these AI solutions such as the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) Targeted On-site Inspection Tool. The tool is an AI model to assess the likelihood of fire safety violations in commercial and industrial premises, using data from various sources, including past inspection reports. 

Generative AI has the potential to improve operational effectiveness and efficiency, for the HT to better serve Singaporeans. However, it comes with risks. MHA has put in place an AI Governance Framework to guide the implementation of AI projects and ensure compliance with our laws, such as ensuring fair, representative and responsible use of data. We will also put in place safeguards, including to ensure that there is an appropriate level of human intervention to act as a layer of checks and ensure accountability.

(Bottom left and right) As part of the Life Signs Monitoring System trial, smart sensors are installed at selected cells in the Complex Medical Centre and prison institution, to monitor inmates' life signs remotely. (Top) Events such as falls and abnormal heart rates detected by the smart sensors will trigger an alarm. PHOTO: Singapore Prison Service

The HT is also leveraging smart and autonomous solutions to detect threats earlier and respond faster. For example, the Singapore Prison Service is trialling the use of smart sensors in its medical wards and cells to monitor inmates' vital signs remotely. This system, known as the Life Signs Monitoring System, will enable prison officers to respond more quickly to incidents such as falls and abnormal heart rates among the inmates. This is especially important with a growing pool of older inmates.

While technological capabilities are important, HT officers also need to be well-trained to use the technologies. As part of the Home Team AI Movement, HTX is developing an AI training roadmap to empower officers across the HT to use AI tools effectively. The Police has also implemented a cybercrime competency framework to provide its officers with the skillsets to tackle rapidly evolving cybercrimes.  

Strengthening Criminal Justice Procedures and Processes to Deal with New Types of Cybercrime

As criminals adopt more advanced modus operandi, our criminal justice procedures and processes must also be more nimble and effective to deal with new types of cybercrime, as well as the increased speed and scale at which cybercrimes are being committed.

We will continue to: 

1. Review our laws to ensure their ability to deal with traditional crimes committed in cyberspace; and 

2. Strengthen our regulatory frameworks to better leverage technology to combat cybercrimes. 

Ensuring Adequate Manpower for the Home Team

SCDF will supplement local recruitment of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) officers with applications from ASEAN nationals to meet the expected rise in demand for EMS. PHOTO: SCDF

Overall demand for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has increased by almost 30% over the past five years. We expect it to spike further as our population ages. SCDF has therefore expanded its recruitment pathways for EMS officers and introduced the Paramedicine Expert Track to recognise, develop, and retain deep expertise in the EMS domain. 

Despite these efforts, and more competitive salaries, local recruitment is insufficient to meet all our needs. Starting this month, local recruitment will be supplemented with applications from ASEAN nationals. All new recruits, regardless of nationality, will undergo rigorous training and accreditation. This is to ensure that SCDF continues to deliver the highest standard of emergency medical services to Singaporeans. At the same time, SCDF will continue to focus on recruiting Singaporeans, to maintain a strong local core.

Last year, Auxiliary Police Officers (APO) have been recruited from five new sources – namely Sri Lanka, Myanmar, the Philippines, India and China – and constituted about 3% of the total APO workforce. Singaporeans make up the majority of APOs and will remain so. To ensure that safety and security standards are not compromised, all APOs, regardless of nationality, must meet the physical, educational and probity requirements set by the Singapore Police Force.

Strengthening Partnerships with the Community to Keep Singapore Safe and Secure  

We will sustain our deep community partnerships and the high public trust in the Home Team and see these as integral to our mission of keeping Singapore safe and secure. 

MHA Committee of Supply (COS) Debate 2025

Read the speech delivered by Minister for Digital Development and Information & Second Minister for Home Affairs Mrs Josephine Teo. For more info on MHA COS 2025, visit the MHA COS 2025 webpage.