The Special Operations Command (SOC) of the Singapore Police Force celebrated its 60th anniversary with a parade at its Queensway base on Friday.

Some 400 guests attended the parade, including senior management from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the police, external stakeholders, strategic partners and attaches from various embassies. The event's guest-of-honour was Mr S Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and 2nd Minister for Home Affairs and Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The SOC began as the Riot Squad back in June 1952, which was set up in the wake of the Maria Hertogh racial riots. It now comprises various specialised units, including the Police Tactical Unit, the Police Dog Unit, the Special Tactics and Rescue unit, the United Nations Peace Keeping Force, and the Crisis Negotiation Unit.

The parade was led by Commanding Officer of the police K-9 Unit, Superintendent of Police Koh Lye Meng, who had also been the parade commander at the SOC's 50th anniversary.