Introduction and History
For more than 20 years, the Planning and Organisation (P&O) Department has created value for the SPF by building on its business and organisational capacities. Since its inception as the Strategic Planning Department in 1981, P&O has been the trailblazer of the Force, pioneering and re-defining the frontiers of modern policing in Singapore. Today, it is the staff authority on Learning Organisation, corporate planning and Knowledge Management within the SPF.

In accordance with its policy of constant renewal, P&O has transformed over the years not merely to stay relevant to the times, but to be one step ahead of them. Originally comprising of 4 divisions, P&O Department underwent major restructuring in 1999, with the formation of the Foreign Relations Division and the transfer of Technology Planning and Development Planning Divisions to other SPF Departments. O&E Division, which had hitherto been responsible for establishment matters, became the Organisation and Resource Division, with the important budget management portfolio coming under its purview. In 2000, the Special Duties Division was set up; in 2001, the Singapore Quality Award (SQA) Secretariat was formed to spearhead SPF's efforts in pursuit of the SQA. The next major restructuring project sees the various divisions merging to form two sections, maximising synergies to bring the department to a new level of dynamism.

With the winning of the Singapore Quality Award in 2002, P&O is now poised to take on even more challenges that tomorrow may bring.

Mission Statement / Vision
P&O's mission is to plan for the organisational development of the SPF, in order to enhance its present operational effectiveness and continuity, and to ensure its success in the future. Abiding by its motto of 'Imagination to Reality', the Department subscribes to a simple ideal - that garnering collective wisdom will lead to better plans, and the proper implementation of these plans will lead to superior results.

Roles and Functions

The roles and functions of the divisions in P&O are as diverse as they are fundamental to the SPF's continued success. P&O develops SPF strategic plans, reviews policing scenarios and updates broad policing directions. It also manages the translation of the SPF strategic plans into conceptual plans and work plans for staff and line units.

P&O also plans and manages the critical tasks involved in the effective allocation and utilisation of resources, reviewing and monitoring establishment needs and changes so that they are in line with SPF's strategic directions.

P&O acts as the foreign relations arm of the Force, translating higher-level national objectives and policy interests into coherent SPF dealings with foreign agencies. It co-ordinates SPF's dealings and forges closer relationships with key overseas strategic partners.

Finally, P&O plans and coordinates initiatives pertaining to the organisational development of SPF. It integrates and implements principles and practices that support the interdependent development of people and their units within SPF. The principles and practices of Learning Organisation serve as a strong foundation to achieve this purpose.