Volunteer Special Constabulary - Organisation and Manpower

Organisation and Manpower

The strength of VSC currently stands at approximately 1,200 officers. At the apex of the VSC structure is the VSC Commander, Mr. S Lakshmanan who holds the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC(V)). The Commander is assisted by his Deputy Commander - DAC(V) Lim Kia Tong and the Heads of respective divisions and units. The VSC organisation structure was recently reorganised to fall in line with the overall structure of the Singapore Police Force to complement the regular force in as many policing areas as possible.

VSC Recruitment

The VSC holds periodical outdoor recruitment drives to attract new blood. Applicants must meet certain basic physical and academic requirements, or can be former Police National Servicemen or ex-regular officers in the Singapore Police Force. Requirements include: age between 18–45 years old, a minimum of 3 GCE-"O" level passes, basic proficiency in English, Singapore citizenship or permanent residency, as well as minimum weight and height requirements. Male recruits must be of PES A or B in medical status.

VSC Training

VSC recruits undergo basic non-residential training at the Home Team Academy. The Basic Course is conducted twice a week on weekday evenings for a duration of nine months. It imparts volunteers with basic police skills, basic legal knowledge, street craft, firearms training, drill and T-baton training and defensive tactics. They will be required to pass prescribed examinations at the end of each stage of the training. Upon completion of their basic training, VSC officers have opportunities to attend developmental and advanced courses conducted by Tracom. Such courses cover subjects such as leadership/management, police operations and tactics.

Posting and Deployment

Upon graduating from their Basic Course with the rank of Corporal (CPL), VSC officers are posted to one of the six Police Land Divisions, or Specialised Units - Airport Police, Police Coast Guard, Traffic Police, Central Narcotics Bureau, Transport Command (Transcom) and Training Command (Tracom) - where they will work with regular police officers. In the past, VSC officers were also posted to the "KV" troop of the Police Task Force, part of the Police Special Operations Command (SOC), for anti-crime policing as well as anti-rioting and crowd control duties; but the troop was disbanded in 2000 in a reorganisation of the SOC in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US; and its 100-odd officers were transferred to other police divisions or units. Most VSC officers posted to land divisions take on the role of an NPCO (Neighbourhood Police Center Officer) - and respond to 999 calls together with the regular counterparts. It is virtually impossible to tell a VSC officer apart from a regular officer from the uniform or equipment because volunteers are dressed and equipped in the same way as regulars. Like their regular counterparts, VSC officers who pass their annual classification test shoot and Police Defensive Tactics test will be equipped with the standard-issued revolver and T-baton respectively, to be used as required when performing their police duties.

Terms of Service

VSC Officers may remain active in service as long as they are medically fit. Police Officers serve up to the age of 50 and Senior Officers serve until the age of 55 years. Volunteer Police Officers (holding the rank of Senior Station Inspector and below) MUST put in at least 16 hours of voluntary work in the police force every month while Senior Officers (holding the rank of Inspector and above) need to perform a minimum of 24 hours of voluntary service per month.

Rewards and Recognition

Like most other volunteer organizations, members are rewarded by a sense of satisfaction and purpose, instead of in monetary terms. VSC officers are not "paid" for their duty hours, but an allowance of SGD 3.60 is claimable per hour of administrative or operational duty regardless of rank (to cover transportation and meal expenses). Like the regulars and NS men, cash incentives are given for shooting and physical fitness: VSC officers are eligible for a SGD 200 award if they earn a marksmanship score in their annual revolver test shoot, and SGD 100/200 award for obtaining the Silver/Gold standard in their annual Individual physical proficiency test (IPPT). VSC officers are also eligible for commendations and service medals awarded to their regular counterparts, such as the Police Good Service Medal, and the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.