Commissioner Khoo Boon Hui

Commissioner James Tan

Ladies and Gentlemen,

            In 1991, we formed the Singapore Police Reservist Association (SPRA) and Civil Defence Reservist Association (CDRA) to recognise the contributions made by our NSmen in the Police and Civil Defence. The activities of these associations were aimed at meeting the social and recreational needs of our NSmen and their families. In 1993, these Associations were renamed SPANS and CDANS respectively.

2          Over the last 13 years, the membership of the two associations has grown steadily. Today CDANS has 130,000 members while SPANS has 30,000. The large membership base reflects an identification by our NSmen with the Police and Civil Defence which continues after their full-time service.  In fact, many of our NSmen volunteer and serve in the various committees of SPANS and CDANS.  With the strong support of their members, SPANS and CDANS now operate five clubhouses located at Bukit Batok, Ah Hood Road, Sembawang, Smith Street and UE Square. 

3          I am happy to be here this morning to launch the “HomeTeamNS”. The merger of SPANS and CDANS to form a single body called “HomeTeamNS” marks yet another historic milestone in the growth and evolution of the two organisations.

NS in Police and SCDF Have Come A Long Way

4          Given the obvious advantage of combining your joint resources for the benefit of members, this merger looks like a simple and common-sensible move. But if we take a moment to reflect, we will appreciate just how far you have travelled to be able to come to this point of your development.

5          When National Service was introduced in Singapore in 1967, the Police began with part-time NSmen deployed in what was then known as the Special Constabulary and the Vigilante Corps. Following the Laju terrorist incident in 1974, we recognised the need to protect vital installations with Police resources. Full-time Police NS was then established in 1975 to augment the limited manpower of Police regulars. The Police NS officers composed what was later called National Service Key Installation Protection Units or KINS. In Nov 2004, the Police KINS Training Camp was formed. The level of professional expertise and depth of protective security cover provided by the KINS Units have developed significantly.  The KINS Units, together with other Police NS officers who partner their regular counterparts in daily general policing duties, play a critical role in the wake of an active terrorist threat in the region.

6          National Service for the SCDF had its earliest roots in the deployment of NSmen to the Fire Brigade in 1976. The Fire Brigade was then not even within the Ministry of Home Affairs; it was part of the then Ministry of Social Affairs. In 1981, a Civil Defence Command was formed as part of the Singapore Police Force. The Civil Defence Command became the Singapore Civil Defence Force in 1983. In 1989, the SCDF merged with the Fire Brigade.  Between 1986 and 1990, more than 70,000 SAF and Police NSmen were transferred to the SCDF to beef up its NS component. Today, NSmen are an integral part of the SCDF’s Rescue Battalion. Fulltime NS and NSmen have been involved at the front-line in many significant operations, the most recent being in SCDF overseas missions to Aceh and Nias Island.

7          The history of NS in the SCDF and the Police are linked. On the ground, the two organisations are often partners in operations. The synergies and complementation of the roles of Police and SCDF front-liners in civil emergencies and crises are practical and real. In the Nicoll Highway collapse, one of the key lessons we learnt was the value of mixed Police-SCDF leadership teams on the ground.  During the immediate rescue phase, the SCDF commander will lead but when that is over, the post-incident investigation phase comes under the charge of the Police commander. A mixed SCDF-Police leadership team on the ground ensures seamless continuity of knowledge and awareness of each other’s requirements like the preservation of evidence.

8          I am happy to learn that this spirit of collaboration and complementation has extended also to the management of NS resources. This was seen in the first joint Open Mobilisation by the Police and SCDF which was conducted successfully last month.

Why “HomeTeamNS”?

9          We chose the name “HomeTeamNS” with deliberation. In the merger of CDANS and SPANS, we want to move our sights to an even higher aim. We want all our NSmen and their families to feel they are part of the larger Home Team community.

10        The merger of SPANS and CDANS into the HomeTeamNS can strengthen this Home Team identity and extend it even beyond the work-place. The HomeTeamNS facilities would create a shared environment for the NSmen of both organisations to network, build new friendships as they and their families enjoy the recreational facilities offered at the clubhouses.

11        The Home Team concept rests on the knowledge that regardless of the strength of each department, its contribution to the common mission of keeping Singapore safe and secure would be limited if it did it alone and separate from the other agencies in the Ministry. On the other hand, understanding and working together as an integrated team, tapping natural synergies from each agency’s related but different roles and competencies, would increase not only their individual strength but also their collective contribution to achieve the shared mission of keeping Singapore safe and secure.

12        I introduced the concept of the “Home Team” in 1995. It took another 2 years to develop and elaborate on this idea before the concept of the Home Team was finally launched officially at the first Home Team Workshop in Feb 1997. We persisted. Earlier this year, we celebrated our 9^th Home Team Workshop.

13        The concept of the Home Team is well known and familiar today. This did not just happen by itself. It is the result of effort and commitment over a decade by all the departments in the Ministry of Home Affairs. We persevered and continued with the Home Team initiative, making adjustments and evolving it to make it remain relevant to changes and new challenges. We persisted with the core idea and held steadfast to the confidence that it was the right direction to take.  We need to sustain this effort.  It requires the commitment of all in the Home Team – from the Minister and commanders down to the last officer on the ground.

Staying Focussed and Aiming High

14        The growth of SPANS and CDANS to the stage it has reached today when it can merge to form the HomeTeamNS is likewise the result of the vision and efforts of many people over the last 13 years. As we mark this new and exciting chapter of the association for our NSmen, we must aim high and work to make HomeTeamNS a name that every Police and Civil Defence NSman and his family, naturally identifies with.

15        Before I end, let me put on record my deep appreciation to everyone who has made a contribution to SPANS and CDANS in the past 13 years.  You have all helped in different ways - volunteering your time, energy, and expertise.  I hope that you will continue to support and contribute to the HomeTeamNS and make it a vibrant and dynamic part of our Home Team community.

Thank you.

* * *