Security Command

KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN FY 2006

Major Events and Security Coverage

FY 2006 has been a challenging year for the Security Command (SecCom). A key event was the GE 2006, which saw intensive activities by the Prime Minister (PM) and his Cabinet Ministers for a prolonged period. In addition, 2006 saw PM and his Cabinet Ministers making many overseas trips, some of which were to high-risk regions. Singapore also played host to several high-profile events such as the IMF-WB Board of Governors Annual Meetings 2006 or S2006. Many world leaders such as Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and United States (US) President George Bush also paid visits to Singapore. SecCom rose to the challenge and successfully ensured the safety and security of all its VIPs.

Another Step in Countering Terrorism

On 19 May 2006, SecCom commissioned the Counter-Assault Unit (CAU), which is a unit specially trained to provide stronger firepower in support of VIP protection and evacuation. This is the third of the five Counter-Terrorism capabilities (after Counter-Improvised Explosive Device and Counter-Sniper) to be commissioned over the past few years. To date, CAU has been deployed for various occasions including President Bush’s visits in 2003 and 2006 and Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 2006.

Sporting Achievements

SecCom was crowned as the overall champion at the Police Sports Association swimming competition in 2006. The SecCom ladies also clinched the title of women’s champion in the Cross country Meet 2007. At the Commando Small Arms Meet 2006, SecCom celebrated its shooting excellence by beating many contestants from various elite units to secure the top place.

PLANS FOR FY 2007

Changing the Recruitment Process

SecCom reinvented its recruitment strategy and process in January 2007. By distinguishing between trainable and no trainable qualities, SecCom did away with the traditional ‘Hell Week’ to reach out to a much bigger pool of potential applicants. Out of the 800 officers who attended SecCom’s Open Houses, 251 officers applied for a posting in SecCom, and 30 suitable officers were eventually selected. This is a seven-fold increase in new recruits compared to previous recruitment efforts.

Gearing Up for Major Events

SecCom is working with the Operations Department to build up SPF’s capacity to cope with the security requirements for VIP protection at several upcoming major meetings and conferences such as the ASEAN Summit in 2007 and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) in 2009. Expanding from its reserve pool of security liaison officers, which was made up of volunteer officers from across all the SPF units in 2006, SecCom will work on maintaining the skills of this group of trained officers as well as recruiting more such security liaison officers into the reserve pool.

Learning from the Best in the World

SecCom applied and was successfully admitted into the Association of Personal Protection Services (APPS) at its eighth international conference in April 2007 in Beijing, China. SecCom will leverage on the connections established in the Association to further build up, benchmark and validate its VIP protection capabilities and doctrines.

Networking with Partners

SecCom will actively engage all its partners and alliances such as Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives (CBRE) Defence Group and SPF Land Divisions to further entrench good working relationships. These engagements will include formal and informal exchanges, cross attachments and a SecCom Appreciation Day for all its partners.