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Singapore Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...

law enforcement Law enforcement is the activity of some members of government who act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms governing that society. The term en ...

is principally led by the

Singapore Police Force The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is the national and principal law enforcement agency responsible for the prevention of crime and law enforcement in the Republic of Singapore. It is the country's lead agency against organised crime; human, wea ...

(SPF), and supported by other agencies including the

Singapore Prison Service The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) is a government agency of the Government of Singapore under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It runs 14 prisons and drug rehabilitation centres in Singapore. Its responsibilities encompass the s ...

Central Narcotics Bureau The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the primary drug enforcement agency in Singapore. CNB is responsible for coordinating all matters pertaining to drug eradication. Its current direct ...

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) is a government agency in Singapore under the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The CPIB has the mandate to investigate into any acts or forms of corruption in the public and private sectors in Sing ...

, Internal Security Department,

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is a law-enforcement command within the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the border control agency responsible for frontline border control operations at air, sea and rail ports in Singapore. IC ...

, and

Singapore Customs The Singapore Customs is a government agency under the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Singapore. Singapore Customs was reconstituted on 1 April 2003, after the Customs and Excise Department and the Trade Facilitation Division and Sta ...

. Furthermore, some law enforcement powers may be exercised by non-government entities such as auxiliary police forces and security officers. Singapore's law enforcement system has resulted in crime being extremely low as compared to other developed nations and the world in general. According to the

Economist Intelligence Unit The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is the research and analysis division of the Economist Group, providing forecasting and advisory services through research and analysis, such as monthly country reports, five-year country economic forecasts, ...

(EIU) Safe Cities Index, Singapore was often ranked as the safest or one of the safest in the world, especially in regards to digital, personal and infrastructure security. The country also ranks highly on the

Global Peace Index Global Peace Index (GPI) is a report produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) which measures the relative position of nations' and regions' peacefulness. The GPI ranks 163 independent states and territories (collectively accountin ...

, being consistently placed in the top 10 and the highest in Asia for the past decade. Foreign travel advisories for Singapore often state that

petty crime A summary offence or petty offence is a violation in some common law jurisdictions that can be proceeded against summarily, without the right to a jury trial and/or indictment (required for an indictable offence). Canada In Canada, summary offenc ...

such as

pickpocketing Pickpocketing is a form of larceny that involves the stealing of money or other valuables from the person or a victim's pocket without them noticing the theft at the time. It may involve considerable dexterity and a knack for Misdirection (magic ...

and street

theft Theft is the act of taking another person's property or services without that person's permission or consent with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it. The word ''theft'' is also used as a synonym or informal shorthand term for some ...

as extremely rare in Singapore.

Violent crime A violent crime, violent felony, crime of violence or crime of a violent nature is a crime in which an offender or perpetrator uses or threatens to use harmful force upon a victim. This entails both crimes in which the violence, violent act is t ...

is also deemed extremely rare and almost non-existent. Threats of

terrorism Terrorism, in its broadest sense, is the use of criminal violence to provoke a state of terror or fear, mostly with the intention to achieve political or religious aims. The term is used in this regard primarily to refer to intentional violen ...

remain a major concern, as is the case with most

developed countries A developed country (or industrialized country, high-income country, more economically developed country (MEDC), advanced country) is a sovereign state that has a high quality of life, developed economy and advanced technological infrastruct ...

. As a constant reminder from consulars to possible drug traffickers, penalties for

drug A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via insuffla ...

offences such as

trafficking Smuggling is the illegal transportation of objects, substances, information or people, such as out of a house or buildings, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations. There are various ...

in Singapore remain severe and may include

capital punishment Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the state-sanctioned practice of deliberately killing a person as a punishment for an actual or supposed crime, usually following an authorized, rule-governed process to conclude that t ...

. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) of the

United States Department of State The United States Department of State (DOS), or State Department, is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations. Equivalent to the ministry of foreign affairs of other n ...

states Singapore as being a very low-threat location for crime directed at or affecting "official U.S. government interests". The foreign advisory of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China () is the first-ranked executive department of the State Council of the Chinese government, responsible for the foreign relations of the People's Republic of China. It is led ...

also considers Singapore as a low-risk country.

Governmental law enforcement and regulatory agencies

Singapore Police Force

The Singapore Police Force is the main government agency tasked with maintaining law and order in the city-state. It was founded in 1820, and is under the supervision of the

Ministry of Home Affairs An interior ministry (sometimes called a ministry of internal affairs or ministry of home affairs) is a government department that is responsible for internal affairs. Lists of current ministries of internal affairs Named "ministry" * Ministry ...

Singapore Prison Service

The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) was formed in 1946 and operates the prison system in Singapore, under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Under the ''Prisons Act 1933'', a prisons officer has the powers of the police officer (Section 32), and may be armed (Section 31).

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) is a government agency in Singapore which investigates and prosecutes

corruption Corruption is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense which is undertaken by a person or an organization which is entrusted in a position of authority, in order to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's personal gain. Corruption m ...

in the public and private sectors. It was founded in 1952. Although the primary function is to investigate corruption, it is empowered to investigate other criminal cases in which corruption may be involved. Under the purview of the Prime Minister's Office, the CPIB is headed by a director who reports directly to the

Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...

. A CPIB officer has the powers of arrest under Section 15 of the ''Prevention of Corruption Act 1960'', and may also investigate any other offence under written law which may be uncovered during investigations under Section 17 of the same act. A CPIB officer may also be armed under Section 87 of the ''Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021'' and Section 15A of the ''Prevention of Corruption Act 1960''.

Internal Security Department

The Internal Security Department (ISD) is a domestic

intelligence agency An intelligence agency is a government agency responsible for the collection, Intelligence analysis, analysis, and exploitation of information in support of law enforcement, national security, military, public safety, and foreign policy objective ...

of the

founded in 1966. It has the utmost right to detain without trial individuals suspected to be a threat to national security. The stated mission is to confront and address security

threats A threat is a communication of intent to inflict harm or loss on another person. Intimidation is a tactic used between conflicting parties to make the other timid or psychologically insecure for coercion or control. The act of intimidation for co ...

, including foreign

subversion Subversion () refers to a process by which the values and principles of a system in place are contradicted or reversed in an attempt to transform the established social order and its structures of power, authority, hierarchy, and social norms. Sub ...

and espionage. The ISD also monitors and addresses the prevention of racial tension which might affect the public peace, surveillance, apprehension of militants and protection of Singapore's national borders. Under Section 65 of the ''Police Force Act 2004'', an intelligence officer has the powers of a police officer. Under Section 87 of the ''Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021'', an intelligence officer may be armed.

Security and Intelligence Division

The Security and Intelligence Division (SID) is a foreign intelligence agency under the

Ministry of Defence {{unsourced, date=February 2021 A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is an often-used name for the part of a government responsible for matters of defence, found in states ...

founded in 1966 alongside the ISD. Under Section 65 of the ''Police Force Act 2004'', an intelligence officer has the powers of a police officer. Under Section 87 of the ''Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021'', an intelligence officer may be armed.

Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command

The Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command (SAFMPC) is the

military police Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...

formation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), founded in 1966.

Central Narcotics Bureau

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) is in charge of enforcement of drug law and drug education. It was founded in 1971. A CNB officer has the powers of a police officer and may be armed under Section 32 and 32A respectively of the ''Misuse of Drugs Act 1973''.

Singapore Civil Defence Force Provost Unit

The Singapore Civil Defence Force Provost Unit (PU) is responsible for enforcement and investigation of all service offences as found in the Civil Defence Act as well as the administration of the SCDF Detention Barracks.

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) is a statutory board founded in 1992 and under the

Ministry of Finance A ministry of finance is a part of the government in most countries that is responsible for matters related to the finance. Lists of current ministries of finance Named "Ministry" * Ministry of Finance (Afghanistan) * Ministry of Finance and Ec ...

for the collection of taxation revenue. Under section 65F of the ''Income Tax Act'', and section 83E of the ''Good and Services Tax Act'', an officer of IRAS may make an arrest for offences under the same acts. Furthermore, under section 65H of the ''Income Tax Act'', and section 83G of the ''Good and Services Tax Act'', an officer of IRAS may also be armed.

Land Transport Authority

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is a statutory board founded in 1995 and under the

Ministry of Transport A ministry of transport or transportation is a ministry responsible for transportation within a country. It usually is administered by the ''minister for transport''. The term is also sometimes applied to the departments or other government age ...

to execute transport policy. Under section 39 of the ''Land Transport Authority of Singapore Act'', an officer of the LTA may exercise powers of a police officer in enforcing sections of the ''Road Traffic Act'' and also make an arrest for such offences.

Ministry of Manpower

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is a ministry established in 1998 to oversee labour policies. Under section 18 of the ''Employment Agencies Act'' and section 21 of the ''Employment of Foreign Manpower Act'', inspectors of employment agenices and employment are permitted to make an arrest for offences against the same acts.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is in charge of immigration,

Singapore passport A Singaporean passport is a travel document and passport issued to citizens and nationals of the Republic of Singapore. It enables the bearer to exit and re-enter Singapore freely; travel to and from other countries in accordance with visa requ ...

identity cards An identity document (also called ID or colloquially as papers) is any documentation, document that may be used to prove a person's identity. If issued in a small, standard credit card size form, it is usually called an identity card (IC, ID c ...

, Citizen Registration (Birth and Death),

permanent resident Permanent residency is a person's legal resident status in a country or territory of which such person is not a citizen but where they have the right to reside on a permanent basis. This is usually for a permanent period; a person with suc ...

s services, customs, issuing permits to foreigners such as visit passes,

visa Visa most commonly refers to: *Visa Inc., a US multinational financial and payment cards company ** Visa Debit card issued by the above company ** Visa Electron, a debit card ** Visa Plus, an interbank network *Travel visa, a document that allows ...

s and student passes. The ICA is also in charge of enforcing immigration and visa laws. It ensures that the movement of people, goods and conveyances through the checkpoints is in accordance with regulations imposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is in charge of birth and death registrations. The organisation was formed on 1 April 2003 with the merger of Singapore Immigration and Registration and the border control functions of Customs and Excise Department. Under the ''Immigration Act 1959'', an ICA officer has powers of a police officer to enforce the provisions of the act (under Section 38) and may be armed (under Section 38A).

Singapore Customs

The Singapore Customs was formed in 2003 and is in charge of the collection of customs revenue, prevention of evasion of duties and taxes, issuing customs licenses and permits, enforcement of trade requirements under the respective Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and regulation of trade in strategic goods and strategic goods technology. It is under the

. Under Section 112 of the ''Customs Act 1960'', a customs officer has powers of arrest for offences under the same act. Under Section 87 of the ''Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021'', a customs officer may be armed.

Non-governmental agencies

Auxiliary police forces

Auxiliary police Auxiliary police, also called special police, are usually the part-time reserves of a regular police force. They may be armed or unarmed. They may be unpaid volunteers or paid members of the police service with which they are affiliated. The po ...

forces are private companies with officers who are granted police-like powers and law enforcement authority. They are typically employed for

infrastructure security Infrastructure security is the security provided to protect infrastructure, especially critical infrastructure, such as airports, highways rail transport, hospitals, bridges, transport hubs, network communications, media, the electricity grid, da ...

and cash-in-transit protection. They are supervised and licensed by the Singapore Police Force. Five auxiliary police forces are designated by legislation: * Aetos Auxiliary Police Force (part of

Aetos Security Management AETOS Security Management, now known as AETOS Holdings Pte Ltd, provides security services to a wide range of clientele. The company is officially an auxiliary police force permitted to be armed under regulations from the Police Force Act ...

) * Certis CISCO Auxiliary Police Force (part of

Certis Group Certis is one of the five commercial auxiliary police forces authorized to provide armed security officers to government organizations as well as private companies or individuals in Singapore. Certis originated from the Guard and Escort unit of t ...

) * Installations Auxiliary Police Force * Pulau Bukom Auxiliary Police Force * SATS Auxiliary Police Force (part of

SATS Security Services SATS Security Services Pte Ltd (SSS) is a subsidiary of SATS Ltd, providing security services for aviation-related activities at Singapore Changi Airport. It provides armed auxiliary police officers for mainly airline clients as an Auxiliary ...

)

Security officers

Under section 22 of the ''Infrastructure Protection Act'', security officers have a limited power of arrest.

Comparison of law enforcement agencies

References

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