Singapore Police Force - Weapons and Equipment

Weapons and Equipment

Police officers in the various divisions are armed when conducting regular uniformed patrols and plainclothes duties. A force-wide change from the 5-shot Smith & Wesson Model 36 (with 3 inch barrel) to the 5-shot .38 Taurus Model 85 was undertaken in August 2002, featuring a laser sight and a new snatch-resistant holster. A new speedloader was introduced in the same year to replace the old bullet pouch, allowing for quicker reloading of the revolvers and reducing the likelihood of misplaced bullets. In 2001, the Monadnock PR-21 side handle baton (more commonly known as the T-baton) replaced the wooden batons and retractable nightsticks to enhance their defensive capabilities. In addition, each officer is issued with one pair of handcuffs.

The primary communication tool carried by each officer is through a digital radio set provided by Matra Nortel Communications, the same provider for other Home Team organisations such as the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

The Taser X26 stun gun is part of the officer equipment, which provides another non-lethal means of subduing suspects. Despite some safety concerns due to incidents experienced by foreign police forces, the weapon was deemed suitable for use by trained personnel, and was rolled out across other NPCs.

Strict enforcement of anti-arm laws which are in existence in Singapore since 1823 has resulted in a relatively disarmed society, where firearms-related crimes are rare. It is therefore not an operational requirement for police officers to don bulletproof vests when conducting normal policing duties. However, these vests are carried in police vehicles and stocked in police establishments and can be rapidly utilised should the situation require it. From 2004, new multi-purpose vests were introduced which offer officers protection against most handgun fire, knife thrusts, as well as doubling up as a buoyancy vest should officers fall into deep water.

In 2006, the Singapore Police Force acquired new firearms for the Special Operations Command, namely the Sphinx 3000 pistol. Prior to this, the standard issue for the SOC was the SIG P226 pistol, also operated by the Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command. Heckler & Koch USP pistols are also known to be used by the Criminal Investigation Department, Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR), Security Command and the Police Coast Guard's Special Task Squadron. The Singapore Police Force, also uses the Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun and the Remington 870 shotgun.