1. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will extend existing circuit breaker measures for training until 1 June 2020 in tandem with the extension of the nationwide COVID-19 circuit breaker period (CBP). This includes the suspension of the Police Officers Basic Course (POBC) and the Basic Rescue Training (BRT) for all full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) at the Home Team Academy (HTA) and the National Service Training Institute (NSTI) respectively, and deferment of non-operationally essential In-camp Training and activities such as the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) for Operationally-Ready National Servicemen (ORNSmen).
2. Around 680 full-time NSF trainees from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) who are due for enlistment in May 2020 will be affected by the extension of the POBC and BRT suspension. They will be administratively enlisted on their scheduled enlistment dates and are not required to physically report for POBC or BRT. They will stay at home until the suspension is lifted, and will be informed of their new reporting date for basic training. Overall, some 2,300 Home Team full-time NSF trainees are affected by the suspension. To ensure that their Operationally Ready Date (ORD) will not be affected, SPF and SCDF will make the necessary adjustments to the training of these affected NSF trainees[1].
3. Essential training will continue in order to maintain the operational readiness of the Home Team. This includes the Officer Cadet Training for SPF and SCDF NSF trainees, as well as operationally essential in-camp training for ORNSmen. Such training will continue with the strict implementation of enhanced precautionary measures such as safe distancing, staggered meal times, the donning of masks[2] and stringent cleaning of training equipment and common areas.
4. MHA remains committed to the safety and security of Singapore while keeping our Home Team officers safe in the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
[1] The POBC and BMT suspension period will count towards the recruits’ full-time National Service (NS), and they will continue to be eligible for NS allowance and medical benefits during the suspension.
[2] Trainees are required to put on masks at all times, except during meal times and strenuous activities e.g. physical training.
