GOVERNMENT & SOCIETY SINGAPORE BOOK OF RECORDS


Home Team First Police Force


The fi rst police force in Singapore in 1819 numbered 11 men – one sergeant, eight constables, one jailer and a Malay writer. The total monthly budget for the police force was S$300 (paid in Indian rupees) and it was under the command of Francis James Bernard, son-in-law of the fi rst Resident, Major William Farquhar, who took on duties as chief police offi cer, magistrate, chief jailer, marine store- keeper and assistant to the Resident.


First Police Uniforms


The police were issued with regular uniforms in 1863. The fi rst uniform consisted of dark blue serge coat, trousers, cap and black shoes. The police force changed to khaki cotton shorts in 1890. In 1969, it changed to a dacron blue uniform.


First Detective Branch


The fi rst Detective Branch in the Singapore Police Force was set up in 1886. In 1903, the Detective Branch was renamed Criminal Investigation Department (CID).


First Police Headquarters


The fi rst police headquarters in Singapore was located at South Bridge Road and started functioning in 1905. The headquarters was moved to Pearl’s Hill in 1954.


First Police Station


The fi rst police station was stationed at what used to be Francis James Bernard’s attap house built in 1823 on the southern side of the Singapore River.


First Full-Time Head Of Police


The fi rst full-time Com- missioner of Police in Singapore was Thomas Dunman (1843-1871). He was a young com- mercial assistant who was appointed Commissioner in 1857 with a salary of 800 rupees a month.


First Chinese- Speaking


European And Protector


William Pickering was appointed the fi rst Protector of Chinese in 1871. At that time, he was the fi rst European to be able to speak and read several Chinese dialects. He helped to curb the secret society activities and stamped out abuses of the coolie trade. Pickering departed from Singapore in 1888.


First Marine Police


The fi rst marine police contingent was formed with two rowing sampans in 1819 to enforce law and order along the waterfront and the waters around the island. The force was headed by a sub-inspector with two corporals and 12 constables under him. The ‘sampan squad’ was headquartered between the pres- ent Anderson Bridge and Cavenagh Bridge.


First Police Steamship


The early police was quite powerless against piracy until the coming of steamships. Five pirate boats actually sailed and rowed towards the paddle steamer Diana in 1837. When they realised that Diana was moving towards them against the wind, they were horrifi ed and started to fl ee. Soon enough the pirates were caught and killed.


First Motorised Ambulance


The fi rst motorised ambulance in Singapore was introduced on 7 May 1917. It was called the Hospital Board Motor Ambulance and was parked at the Central Fire Station and supervised by the brigade’s offi cers.


First Internal Security Department


The Internal Security Department was set up in 1916 after the outbreak of the Sepoy Mutiny in Singapore on 15 Feb 1915. It was called the Criminal Intelligence Department and was headed by Victor George Savi, a member of the fi rst batch of police cadets. The department was later renamed Criminal Intelligence, Special Branch in 1925. It was just Special Branch from 1931.


First Auxiliary Police


The fi rst Auxiliary Police Force was formed in 1939 and by 1941, it had 250 men in its ranks.


First Traffi c Police And Coast Guard


The Traffi c Branch of the Singapore Police Force was set up in 1918 and the Marine Branch (forerunner of the Police Coast Guard) was set up in 1916. A Communications Branch was set up in 1936.


First Police Force Band


The fi rst police force band in Singapore was set up in 1925, when it was founded as the Second Straits Settlements Police Band. FE Minns was its fi rst Bandmaster.


First Gurkha Contingent


The fi rst Gurkha contingent of the Sin- gapore Police Force was formed in Apr 1949 to replace the Police Sikh contingent, which was decimated during World War II.


First Purpose-Built Prison


Outram Prison was built at the foot of Pearl’s Hill in 1847. Before that, convicts were housed in attap houses in the vicinity of today’s Empress Place, and later at Bras Basah Road. The prison was demolished in 1968 to make way for public housing.


First Arms Law


The fi rst arms law in Singapore was passed in Mar 1823, which restricted the bearing of arms to only 24 of the Sultan of Johor’s most responsible followers. The rest of the popula- tion was forbidden to carry weapons.


First Riot Control Squad


The fi rst Riot Squad was formed after the Ma- ria Hertogh riots. It became fully operational in Dec 1952. Later renamed the Police Task Force, the offi cers became known for their distinctive red riot control vehicles in which they travelled. In a major reorganisation of riot control units in Sep 1992, the Police Task Force, Police Tactical Team and the Dog Unit were combined as the Special Operations Command. In 1993, the Police Tactical Team was renamed the Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR).


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