At the Committee of Supply (COS) Debate in Parliament on 1 March 2021, Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam
shared the Home Team’s focus on Transformation in order to keep Singapore safe and secure. Here are five
highlights from his speech.
1. Our Impetus for Transformation
To deal with increasing demands and the challenges of limited manpower, the Home Team had focused on Transformation
and the increased use of technology. The
Home Team Science and Technology
Agency (HTX) was established in December 2019 to develop customised technology solutions for the Home
Team, and has built-up talent and capabilities in 14 Centres of Expertise. HTX is also developing expertise in
managing data centres and cloud-based technologies.
2. Transforming Our Operations
Enhancing Sensor Network and Empowering
Officers: The Singapore Police
Force (SPF) has transformed the way it fights crime
and serves the public. There are now almost 90,000 cameras in major public locations. This has been a game-changer
to deter, investigate and solve crimes. Surveys have also shown that people feel safer with the prominent placement
of Police cameras in their neighbourhoods.
Enhancing Investigative Capabilities: SPF and the Central Narcotics
Bureau are also working to sharpen their capabilities with technology. Their investigation and case
management systems are being digitised, automated and streamlined, so that officers can access case information and
update cases on the move.
Fire and Emergency Response: The Singapore Civil Defence
Force is building the next generation of Smart Fire Stations starting with the new Punggol Fire
Station. The new Stations will make greater use of sensors and automation to help with manpower management,
operational response and decision-making.
Immigration Clearance: The Immigration and Checkpoints
Authority will also transform its operations. Today, eligible travellers can already use the
Multi-Modal Biometric System (MMBS) to clear Immigration by scanning their face and iris. This is more secure than
fingerprint clearance, and also contactless.
Prisons: The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) has made good
progress with technology, in particular its “Prison Without Guards” strategy. The vision is to have a
smart prison that leverages technology to automate routine work, so that Prison officers can focus on the
rehabilitation of inmates.
To enhance their learning, inmates are given mobile tablets with e-books and guiding resources to supplement their
regular lessons and programmes. This allows them to learn at their own pace and take greater ownership of their
rehabilitation.
Drones and Robotics: Drones and robots were deployed for
security operations, such as at COVID-19 isolation
facilities, which reduced the risk of exposure for our frontline officers. The Home Team will continue to build on
its drone and robotics capabilities.
3. Transforming Service Delivery
ICA is transforming its service delivery by bringing even more services online, including the registration or
re-registration for Identification Cards and updating of addresses (instead of visiting the ICA Building or a Police
Post). ICA will also issue more types of documents in digital form, such as birth and death certificates, and
long-term passes.
4. Transforming Our Workforce for the Future
The Home Team Academy (HTA) has been using the Home
Team Simulation System to train our officers in managing large-scale security incidents and joint
operations. It requires fewer resources to carry out than a physical training exercise. HTA will enhance the
system with new technologies like Artificial Intelligence and expand its usage to more officers.
SCDF’s re-development of the Civil Defence
Academy will also include a Digital Learning Lab, which will provide Virtual Reality training for SCDF
officers (such as extricating people from a car wreckage).
5. Our Manpower Needs will Still Grow
HTX will hire a few hundred scientists and engineers over the next few years, to build a critical mass of experts in
areas like digital and crime scene forensics, robotics and automation. We will also increase the number of Police
investigators.
