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.