Police Intelligence Department

KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2006

FY 2006 saw the Police Intelligence Department (PID) providing intelligence coverage for major local and international events, expanding its liaison capabilities, and celebrating its 10th year of inception with a myriad of activities.

General Elections 2006

The GE 2006 was held from end April to May 2006. Behind the scenes, PID provided timely and accurate intelligence in support of Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) frontline operations. On a daily basis, PID brought the situation up-to-date with observation reports, assessments and forecasts of likely developments to aid the SPF management in making informed decisions. The successful conclusion of GE attests to PID’s efforts in intelligence gathering.

IMF-WB Board of Governors Annual Meetings 2006 or S2006

Singapore hosted the IMF-WB Board of Governors Annual Meetings 2006 or S2006 in September 2006. The previous IMFWB meetings hosted by other cities had been marred by violent street protestors. To stay ahead of potential trouble makers, PID led in the planning and implementation of a protracted security operation at the checkpoints aimed at detecting and denying entry of undesirable visitors. In preparation, PID devoted many months of research into civil society groups and known protestors. Training also intensified with the Intelligence Training School organising courses on foreign languages, protestor
behaviour and interview techniques. PID enlisted manpower support from other Home Team agencies as well as the Ministry of Manpower and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Provost Unit for the operation. PID also manned an international support operations centre, where friendly forces from the region, Interpol and the Federal Bureau Investigation congregated to share and exchange information real-time on persons and groups of interest. The rich experience earned from S2006 will serve PID well when Singapore hosts its next major event.

Expanding Intelligence Capabilities

Globalisation has created new forms of transnational crimes and brought the threat closer to Singapore’s doorstep. As policing today transcends physical and jurisdictional boundaries, intelligence agencies must liaise closely and combine forces. In 2006, our intelligence capabilities took a great leap forward with the posting of a PID officer to Indonesia as the SPF’s first police attaché to enhance cooperation between SPF and the
Indonesian Police.

Operational Successes

Two noteworthy intelligence-led successes in 2006 were the solving of a series of housebreaking cases in Choa Chu Kang in July and the smashing of a house-breaking syndicate involving South American suspects in the private estate of Newton Road in October. These breakthroughs were made possible by excellent field intelligence work and well-timed ground decisions among the Divisional Intelligence Branches.

We are 10!

PID turned 10 in 2006. From a nondescript Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) established in April 1973 to a full-fledged specialist staff department in 1996, PID has come a long way. PID celebrated its 10th year with the launch of a new logo and tagline, ‘Never Surprised’.

PLANS FOR FY 2007

PID will further enhance its liaison capabilities with its regional counterparts. PID will also apply the knowledge acquired from S2006 for upcoming events such as the Formula One races and the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference in 2009. Last but not least, PID will continue to invest in its people through training, leadership development programmes and charting out a specialist career track for civilian officers.