CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF KINS UNITS

The launch of this Police Key Installation Protection Training Camp at this Ulu Pandan location marks a milestone in the history of Police KINS Unit.

2.         It is a milestone, not because of its architectural magnificence; but because this new training ground signifies that a new breed of KINS officers are being trained to handle post-911 challenges in the security and protection of Singapore’s key installations.

3.         Post-911, the first KINS unit was deployed in October 2001. Since then, KINS Units have been deployed at various installations throughout Singapore.

4.         While Singapore remains one of the safest countries, the world is a less safe place today. The reality is we need to be on guard. We have protective measures in place, but there is no recipe for immunity. We must not let this undermine our self-confidence and allow fear to reduce us into paranoia and paralysis. We must not allow ourselves to be intimidated by terrorism; life must go on. On our part, as law enforcers and security forces, we must remain vigilant. We have to work with the public to take a shared sense of responsibility over our common collective security.

New KINS Training Site

5          To remain fully prepared to meet the demands of the changing security landscape, continuous re-training in installation protection is necessary.

6          The site of this training camp, formerly occupied by the Police Dog Unit and the SAF Provost Unit, covers about 11 hectares, equivalent to the size of 15 football fields.  Its natural terrain and extensive grounds make this an ideal training site for the Police KINS Training Camp. There is now greater scope for training, as compared to the earlier site at the Special Operations Command (SOC) Queensway Base.

7          Most of the training for the KINS Units is now conducted within the camp with the exception of live firing. Compared to the past, the trainees no longer have to make long journeys to other sites for field training, fighting in built-up areas as well as trenching practices.

Upgrading of the Training Camp

8          Planning for the upgrading of the Training Camp began in September last year with the infrastructure works starting in November 2003. Within a span of three months, driven by a dedicated project team, this place has been transformed into a fully operational camp. The KINS Training Branch shifted into its new premises in March this year and the first KINS training started shortly in April. To date, more than 25 newly formed and operational units have undergone training at PKTC.

9          Due to the centralisation of training facilities here, the training time needed for a KINS Unit to become operational has been halved from four to two years.

10        Apart from training the KINS Units, the KINS Command Post cum Exercise Management Centre has also been set up within the Training Centre to serve as the nerve centre for KINS exercises and deployment.

KINS Trooper – Steadfast and Resolute

11        I am happy to be here to officiate at this launch of Police KINS Training Camp. I understand that the morale of the KINS trainers and officers has been boosted tremendously as they are now proud owners of this camp, which I am sure they will fully utilise and maximise.  In this way, Police KINS troops which are all operationally-ready NSmen will be well prepared to meet the challenges ahead and do their part, together with fellow Singaporeans, to keep Singapore safe and secure.

12        Thank you.