The Police Bicentennial (SPF200) was officially launched by President Halimah Yacob at the OCBC Square at Singapore Sports Hub on 11 January 2020.
This year, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) marks 200 years of policing in Singapore with a series of commemorative events. SPF’s origins can be traced to the set up of a police department in May 1820, and it is one of the oldest government organisations in Singapore. From its humble beginnings as a 12-man team led by Francis James Bernard, SPF has grown into a Force of more than 15,000 regular officers, civilian staff and Full-Time Police National Servicemen, augmented by Volunteer Special Constabulary officers and Operationally Ready Police National Servicemen. Today, Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world.
On 10 January 2020, SPF kicked off SPF200 with the SPF200 Run. More than 300 officers completed a total relay distance of 200km in 24 hours, passing through the sites of 30 past and present SPF establishments across the island. Past and present SPF officers also showed their support to the participants in the form of donations to the Community Chest, to support Singaporeans in need.
President Halimah Yacob flagged off the final leg of the SPF200 run at the Marina Barrage prior to the launch of SPF200. More than 3,200 SPF officers and their family members, as well as beneficiaries from the Community Chest, joined the final lap of the run which ended at the OCBC Square, where the SPF200 Police Family Day Carnival was also held.
At the launch, President Halimah Yacob unveiled a set of six stamps (artwork on following page) to commemorate SPF’s bicentennial. Singapore Post collaborated with SPF to design the commemorative stamps, which are designed by seasoned stamp designer Mr Wong Wui Kong. The stamps feature various police vocations and also depict the strong police-community partnership that keeps Singapore safe and secure every day. The stamps also pay tribute to SPF’s pioneering officers who laid a strong foundation for future generations of officers to build on. Members of the public can purchase the stamps from all post offices, the Philatelic Store @ GPO and online at shop.singpost.com from 11 January 2020[1].
At the launch, President Halimah Yacob said: “Thanks to 200 years of dedicated service by our SPF officers, our people are able to live, work and play in one of the safest cities in the world…the positive qualities of our SPF officers, such as your unwavering commitment to keep Singapore and Singaporeans safe, your selfless and courageous contributions, and your pride in being a part of this noble calling, have remained unchanged through the years. You have given much for what we have today.”
Commissioner of Police Hoong Wee Teck said: “The SPF is commemorating 200 years of policing in Singapore this year. The history of our police force closely mirrors the history of Singapore, making us one of the oldest government organisations in Singapore. The hard work of generations of men and women of the Force, and the trust and support of the community have laid a strong foundation for us. We have indeed come a long way from our humble beginnings of a 12-man team in 1820. The SPF is today a strong, professional police force of more than 15,000 officers, safeguarding one of the safest cities in the world. We will continue to transform, enhance our capabilities, and invest in the training and development of our officers. In marking SPF200, we will also reaffirm our commitment to continue the legacy of being a Force for the Nation, to safeguard Singapore every day for the next 200 years and more. We thank the community for their continued support and trust over the years. We look forward to seeing them at our commemorative events.”
Members of the public can visit www.police.gov.sg/spf200 for more information on SPF200.
Set of six stamps unveiled to commemorate the Police Bicentennial
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 January 2020 @ 11:30 AM