Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,
140 Hill Street #02-02 MITA Building, Singapore 179369.
Tel: 837 9666
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SPEECH BY MR WONG KAN SENG, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS,
AT THE POLICE DAY PARADE ON 3 JUNE 2000, 5.45 PM AT POLICE ACADEMY
Home Team Officers,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Safety and Security maintained
The Singapore Police Force has come a long way since our
independence in 1965. Our officers, past and present, have helped build
the safe and secure home that many Singaporeans very often take for granted.
Apart from keeping crime in check, the SPF has in recent years also done
its part to contain the problem of illegal immigrants.
Challenges ahead
Every year, more foreign talents, workers and visitors
enter our country to live, work or holiday. We must prepare ourselves to
manage the changes in our social landscape. With the increasing prevalence
and importance of the Internet, we must develop new capabilities to deal
with new kinds of crimes.
Every police officer must also have a sense of purpose
and urgency which reflects the integral role the SPF plays in the Total
Defence of Singapore. When you effectively and impartially tackle crimes,
you create a sense of safety and security, which translates into social
stability and economic growth. If not for the prevailing sense of safety
and security that residents and visitors alike feel from your efforts,
Singapore would not be the thriving, bustling country we are today.
The community policing and Community Safety and Security
Programmes you have undertaken have not merely built up rapport with the
local community to tackle local problems, but also built up a network of
best practices to be shared across the Nation. You have also helped establish
the problem-solving abilities and psychological resilience of the community
in times of crisis, and fostered social cohesion within the communities.
Police officers must look beyond your roles and duties
and not react only to matters that immediately affect you. The Police should
be plugged into the global environment – ready to learn, ready to adapt
best practices to local context, ready to proactively seek pre-emptive
solutions to dangerous trends emerging overseas.
Service with Pride and Honour
I congratulate the members of ‘G’ Division and ‘E’ PNS
(Police National Service) Division for being the best land divisions for
1999.
Your actions, your work and your interaction with the
public, determine whether you keep or undermine public confidence in the
Police. Public confidence once lost is difficult to regain. So each time
you put on your uniform or perform your duties, remember that you must
show exemplary behaviour and excel in your work, and never fail the public
you are sworn to serve and protect.
I wish all officers a joyous Police Day.
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