SINGAPORE - The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has a new commander.
Former director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Mr Hoong Wee Teck, took over command of the force on Monday. He replaces outgoing Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee.
Mr Hoong, 51, has served in the police force for 27 years, and held various leadership positions, including Deputy Commissioner (Investigations and Intelligence), and director of the Police Intelligence Department.
Mr Hoong, in a press statement, said he would work towards realising the vision of Singapore becoming the safest city in the world. "The previous Commissioners have done an excellent job in building a strong foundation of professionalism and community trust," he said. "I will continue to strengthen this foundation, and leverage technology and innovation to bring the SPF's crime-fighting capabilities to a new level."
Mr Ng, who headed the police force for the past five years, will assume concurrent new appointments as chief executive of the Public Utilities Board, and Deputy Secretary (Special Duties) at the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.
During Mr Ng's term as Commissioner, the crime rate in Singapore reached a 30-year low in 2013. Mr Ng, 48, thanked all officers in the police force in a farewell speech on Monday at the Change of Command ceremony at the Home Team Academy in Choa Chu Kang.
