Special Operations Command (Singapore)
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| Special Operations Command | |
|---|---|
| Motto | To uphold the law, maintain order and keep the peace in the Republic of Singapore |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 10 September 1992 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Singapore |
| Specialist jurisdiction |
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| Operational structure | |
| Agency executives |
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| Parent agency | Singapore Police Force |
The Special Operations Command (SOC) is a specialist tactical unit of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) specialising in riot control and high-threat incidents. It was formed on 10 September 1992 to unify specialist units into a single strategic reserve force that the regular officers need to call upon in any contingency plan and serious case of public disorder.
The current commander of the SOC is Senior
Structure and units
There are multiple full-time units under the SOC:[1]
In addition, there are auxiliary units who hold primary duties elsewhere in the SPF but have secondary appointments in these units when needed:[1]
- Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU)
- Special Women Task Team (SWTT)
- United Nations Peacekeeping Force (UNPKF)
In addition, there is also a Special Operations Training Command (SOTC) under SOC at Queensway Base.
History
Beginnings as the Reserve Unit
Following the 1950
During the merger of Singapore and Malaysia, the RU was supplemented by manpower from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) of Malaysia. When Singapore was subsequently expelled from Malaysia on 9 August 1965, the FRU withdrew from Singapore and the RU had to train additional officers to occupy the vacancies. It was renamed the Police Reserve Unit (PRU). By late 1965, there were 5 PRUs totalling 15 troops.[2]
On 10 September 1992, the SOC was formally created to combine the
In response to changing demands in urban security issues, the Police MRT Unit was formed in 2005 to provide armed security within and around stations and trains on the Mass Rapid Transit network. Pooled from both regular and NSF manpower resources, they are the first SOC unit to be formed which involves regular front-line policing from inception. From 15 August 2009, the unit was renamed as the Public Transport Security Command and became an independent unit, separating from the SOC.
Under the Police Workplan Seminar 2017, a new National Servicemen unit called the Public Order Troops was formed in September 2018 under PTU and it can be called upon to work alongside their regular counterparts during major incidents such as riots, national emergencies and public order incidents, as well as possible terrorist attacks, and the POT will be implemented in the year 2023.[3]
The SOC also sets up and coordinates the specially trained Peacekeeping Force personnel for missions overseas under command of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations.[4]
Incidents
- In the early morning of 25 April 1978, Constable Lee Kim Lai was abducted while he was performing sentry duties at the Police Reserve Unit (PRU) 1 base at Mount Vernon, and found stabbed to death in a taxi later.[5]
- On 17 May 1978, SGT Toh Say Tin from the PRU 1 was on special duties when he slipped and fell overboard while attempting to board a boat from marine police speedboat PA 6 off Marine Parade. A non-swimmer, he was not wearing a life vest, and was swept away by the currents.[6] His body was found on 19 May 1978 about eight kilometres from the incident.[7]
Equipment
The SOC has been reported to use the following firearms:[8]
| Model | Type | Origin |
|---|---|---|
Sphinx 3000
|
Semi-automatic pistol |  Switzerland
|
| Heckler & Koch MP5 | Submachine gun |  Germany
|
FN SCAR
|
Assault rifle |  Belgium
|
Engagements
- May 1955: Hock Lee bus riots[2]
- 1956: Chinese middle schools riots[2]
- July 1963: Pulau Senang prison riot
- November 1979: Tiong Bahru bus hijacking
- December 2013: 2013 Little India riot
References
- ^ a b "Specialist and Line Units". spf.gov.sg. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d Poh, Lye Hin; Tan, Tin Wee; Rajan, Leena; Tham, Yee Lin, eds. (October 2013). Police Life. Singapore Police Force.
- ^ "First Police NSmen Public Order Troop to be formed by Sep 2018". CNA.
- ^ "Specialist and Line Units". Singapore Police Force.
- MediaCorp TV. 2002.
- ^ "Feared dead: Officer who fell into sea". The Straits Times. 18 May 1978.
- ^ "Body of sgt found". The Straits Times. 20 May 1978.
- ^ Khair, Muhamad (8 December 2017). "Five Things You Should Know About the SOC". Ministry of Home Affairs. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
External links
