When we took over the government in June 1959, our society was in a state of unrest. Crime was rampant. Secret societies were in control of many parts of the city. The imperative was to instil order so that we could get our economy going. We needed to build an orderly and stable society so that families could be raised, children educated without fear from being mugged or kidnapped, multi-nationals would want to invest here.
The leadership of the police force was still in the hands of the British, who had brought their experiences of policing to the colonies. A system was in place, but it was riddled with corruption. Getting rid of corruption was the key priority. We knew we had to be different, or we would never get off the ground. We put in place tough measures to make sure that corruption would be punished, even of the smallest scale. Over time we raised the salaries of police officers and civil servants. The problem is much smaller now, but we must never let up.
The British had also brought their criminal justice system to their colonies, a system which had evolved over many centuries in England. In our context, it was too cumbersome. Criminals learned how to exploit the system. So we had to put it on a proper footing – we used preventive detention to deal with the communists and secret societies, tightened procedural rules over time, abolished jury trials. We made justice swift and certain.
Today, we have an efficient system. People know that if they commit crimes, they are likely to be caught and dealt with. Even minor crimes – like littering and vandalism – we had to deal with these issues. If you don’t deal with this kind of behaviour, the population will not respect the basic rules of society. There will be chaos. Critics say – why bother with these minor offences. But tolerating anti-social behaviour is the way to perdition.
In 1967, we appointed our first local police commissioner. We have had 5 more since then. Gradually, more Singaporeans have taken up leadership positions. Over the years, the SPF has matured. Our officers are better educated. Women are also now an important component of the force. We have attracted many able persons by introducing scholarships, and giving young people wide exposure.
As our society developed, our people became more highly educated. We are now an economic and financial centre. But this means that we are also a target of sophisticated criminal groups. In the past, the police were dealing mainly with murders, robberies, rioting, and other forms of violence. Today, the main threat is posed by criminal syndicates – drugs, loansharks, financial fraud. The syndicate leaders operate outside of Singapore – in Johor, China and other countries. So it is difficult to catch them – we catch mainly the runners on the ground.
Over the past decade, the world has faced a serious threat from religious extremism. After the collapse of communism, the ISD focussed their energies on this issue. Today, we are facing threats from extremist groups like Al Qaeda and Jamaah Islamiyah, but also from self-radicalised individuals who learn their trade through the internet. The Americans are killing many of the Al Qaeda leaders with their drones, but new ones will arise. This problem is deeply entrenched and is going to be with us for a long time.
The Home Team must continue to recruit the best young officers. We cannot have a situation where the criminals are smarter and better resourced than you. If we don’t recruit strong officers, with moral fibre and a sense of purpose, you will go downhill very fast. Criminals with clever lawyers will run rings around you in court. We need officers who understand the intricacies of the legal system, are proficient in forensic analysis, and understand the psychological aspects of crime and criminality. We also need people who can read accounts and understand financial markets. If necessary, we should send our people for Masters courses or PhDs in these areas so that they have access to the latest technology and thinking, and can stay ahead of the game.
But training is only half the picture. To be effective, a Home Team officer needs to be in touch with the ground and have a good feel for people - someone who can smell danger, and who has the instincts to tell him when something is not right. We must not lose our basic policing and law enforcement craft – the ability to cultivate sources and collect intelligence, to follow leads and to interrogate suspects. So we must make sure that our people do not spend their careers behind desks – they must go out and work in the community. Our officers must be able to solve crimes and manage problems on the ground, whether they are from the Police, ISD, SCDF, or ICA. Only then can you be effective, and gain the respect and trust of the people.
How do you attract good young people into the force and keep them? Today, the big banks and multi-nationals can pay many times what the government can pay. Our experienced officers are in high demand. So it must be fundamentally based on a sense of mission and a common ethos – our people are striving for the national good. That is what the sacrifices are for – not for personal power or for glory, but for the pride of the mission – keeping Singapore safe, secure and working; protecting the public.
Other countries are facing problems. The police forces in Western countries are on the way down – look at what is happening in London. There is a fundamental distrust between the population and the police. So when a black man is shot by the police, they say its racism and start a riot. The US police have the same problem. Issues of law and order, and policing, have become politicised, and the police bear the brunt of this.
We will evolve our policies and doctrine as the population matures, but we must never forget the basics – the fundamentals which made us successful. We cannot afford to be like other countries. This is the only way to keep Singapore going.
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