National servicemen’s contributions recognised at Police Day Parade

SINGAPORE – The Police National Service (PNS), which was conceived after a terror incident in Singapore, marks its 50th anniversary in 2025.

And PNS officers have contributed much to keeping the country safe, said Mr Edwin Tong, who was attending his first police event as Second Minister for Home Affairs.

He made these comments on June 3 at the Police Day observance ceremony, which took place at the Home Team Academy in Choa Chu Kang.

Mr Tong, who is also Minister for Law, thanked police officers past and present for their sacrifices.

He said: “Policing, we know, is an inherently challenging profession. Threats to our public order and security remain ever present, and your operating environment is increasingly complex and highly demanding.

“Thank you for your steadfast dedication round the clock, for putting your lives on the line to uphold and enforce our laws, to keep Singapore safe and secure.”

PNS was introduced in 1975, a year after

the Laju incident,

in which four armed attackers targeted the oil refinery on Pulau Bukom and hijacked a ferry, called the Laju, with civilians on board.

It was Singapore’s first brush with international terrorism.

The hostages were released after a group of

13 “guarantors”

, including former president S R Nathan, who was then the director of the Security and Intelligence Division at the Ministry of Defence, boarded the vessel to take their place.

Said Mr Tong: “We recognised the urgent need to strengthen the protection of our vital installations. And so, full-time PNS was introduced, where their role was established to serve as a credible deterrent against future threats.”

PNS officers now work with regular police officers to perform front-line duties such as patrolling the streets and responding to incidents.

Mr Tong said that in the recent general election,

more than 8,000 PNS officers were recalled

and deployed

at rallies

,

polling stations and counting centres to control crowds and ensure public safety.

Two batches of national service cybercrime operators (NSCOs) have been deployed to the Anti-Scam Command and Cybercrime Command.

NSCOs detect and disrupt cybercrimes and scams, including operating the ScamShield dashboard to review user-reported scams.

Said Mr Tong: “They are at the forefront of safeguarding Singapore’s digital space as our new generation of cyber defenders.”

Scams and cybercrimes account for the majority of crimes in Singapore. A

record $1.1 billion

was lost here to scams in 2024.

To commemorate the 50 years of PNS, Mr Tong announced that the Singapore Police Force (SPF) will hold events, including the launch of a PNS50 time capsule and a graduation parade for the 200th police full-time national servicemen intake.

Said Mr Tong: “To our PNS officers, both past and present, thank you very much for stepping up to serve the nation, taking your training seriously, and discharging your duties with the utmost professionalism.

“You have played an invaluable role in keeping Singapore safe and secure. To your families and employers, thank you too for your support as our PNSmen perform their duties.”

Police Day also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the SPF band. Established in 1925, it is the oldest uniformed band in Singapore and consists of more than 60 officers.

Meanwhile, the Central Police Division was lauded as the Best Land Division during the ceremony, in recognition of its achievements in 2024.

This is the second time it has received the award, after winning it in 2018.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Wong Keng Hoe, commander of the Central Police Division, received the award from Mr Tong during the ceremony.

DAC Wong told the media on June 2 that the award was due to the efforts of his predecessors and his officers on the ground.

In 2024, the Central Police Division was responsible for ensuring the safety of the public during the

Marina Bay Countdown 2025, as well as

taking down scam syndicates that were trying to

cheat retailers of electronic devices

and jewellery.

Clementi Police Division and Jurong Police Division took the second and third places, respectively, for Best Land Division.

Tanglin Police Division was named Best NS Operationally Ready Unit, with Jurong Police Division and Woodlands Police Division achieving second and third places respectively.

The award recognises national service divisions for their management of national servicemen in fitness, operations and recall rates.