Special Operations Command (Singapore)

Last updated
Special Operations Command
MottoTo uphold the law, maintain order and keep the peace in the Republic of Singapore
Agency overview
Formed10 September 1992;30 years ago (1992-09-10)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction Singapore
Specialist jurisdiction
  • Paramilitary law enforcement, counter insurgency, and riot control.
Operational structure
Agency executives
  • Assistant Commissioner (AC) Arthur Law, Commander
  • Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) Tan Kiat Hee, Deputy Commander
Parent agency Singapore Police Force

The Special Operations Command (SOC) is a specialist tactical unit of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) specialising in riot control and high-threat incidents. It was formed on 10 September 1992 to unify specialist units into a single strategic reserve force that the regular officers need to call upon in any contingency plan and serious case of public disorder.

Contents

The current commander of the SOC is Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Arthur Law Kok Leong and the deputy commander is Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police (DAC) Tan Kiat Hee.

Structure and units

There are multiple full-time units under the SOC: [1]

In addition, there are auxiliary units who hold primary duties elsewhere in the SPF but have secondary appointments in these units when needed: [1]

In addition, there is also a Special Operations Training Command (SOTC) under SOC at Queensway Base.

History

Beginnings as the Reserve Unit

Following the 1950 Maria Hertogh riots which killed 18, the Riot Squad was formed in June 1952 with 60 police officers at Kampong Batak in Jalan Eunos, to be trained in riot suppression. In October 1952, it was renamed the Reserve Unit (RU), and had grown to three troops of 50 officers each. It became operational in December 1952, with ASP J H Davies as its first officer-in-charge. In August 1955, the RU moved to its first permanent base in Mount Vernon. It also further acquired missions in search and rescue. Using lessons from the Hock Lee bus riots and Chinese middle schools riots, the RU was further upgraded with tear gas and smoke grenades, and also trained the rest of the police force in riot tactics. The RU was also expanded with a fourth troop specialising in illegal strikes and was based in the Old Hill Street Police Station, led by ASP Michael Chai. [2]

During the merger of Singapore and Malaysia, the RU was supplemented by manpower from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) of Malaysia. When Singapore was subsequently expelled from Malaysia on 9 August 1965, the FRU withdrew from Singapore and the RU had to train additional officers to occupy the vacancies. It was renamed the Police Reserve Unit (PRU). By late 1965, there were 5 PRUs totalling 15 troops. [2]

On 10 September 1992, the SOC was formally created to combine the Police Task Force, the Police Tactical Team, and the Police Dog Unit under one command. In 1993, the Special Tactics and Rescue was formed to replace the Police Tactical Team. Greater involvement of Police National Servicemen was seen with the inclusion of the National Servicemen Key Installation Unit in 1994, and the formation of the Police National Service Full-time Light Strike Force in 1998.

In response to changing demands in urban security issues, the Police MRT Unit was formed in 2005 to provide armed security within and around stations and trains on the Mass Rapid Transit network. Pooled from both regular and NSF manpower resources, they are the first SOC unit to be formed which involves regular front-line policing from inception. From 15 August 2009, the unit was renamed as the Public Transport Security Command and became an independent unit, separating from the SOC.

Under the Police Workplan Seminar 2017, a new National Servicemen unit called the Public Order Troops was formed on September 2018 under PTU and it can be called upon to work alongside their regular counterparts during major incidents such as riots, national emergencies and public order incidents, as well as possible terrorist attacks, and the POT will be implemented in the year 2023. [3]

The SOC also sets up and coordinates the specially trained Peacekeeping Force personnel for missions overseas under command of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. [4]

Incidents

Equipment

A red tactical vehicle used by the Special Operations Command Singapore Police Force SOC Vehicle.jpg
A red tactical vehicle used by the Special Operations Command

The SOC has been reported to use the following firearms:

Engagements

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References

  1. 1 2 "Specialist and Line Units". spf.gov.sg. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Poh, Lye Hin; Tan, Tin Wee; Rajan, Leena; Tham, Yee Lin, eds. (October 2013). Police Life. Singapore Police Force.
  3. ↑ "First Police NSmen Public Order Troop to be formed by Sep 2018". CNA.
  4. ↑ "Specialist and Line Units". Singapore Police Force.
  5. ↑ True Files Season 1 Episode 8 "The Sentry" (Television Series). Singapore: MediaCorp TV. 2002.
  6. ↑ "Feared dead: Officer who fell into sea". The Straits Times. 18 May 1978.
  7. ↑ "Body of sgt found". The Straits Times. 20 May 1978.
  8. 1 2 3 Khair, Muhamad (8 December 2017). "Five Things You Should Know About the SOC". Ministry of Home Affairs. Retrieved 15 May 2022.

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