Home Team officers the backbone of S'pore's safety, security: PM Wong

S'poreans have high level of trust in them, including those from SCDF, police, he says

- Nadine Chua

Home Team officers are the backbone of the nation's safety and security, and Singaporeans have a high level of trust in them, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Full-time national servicemen (NSFs) and operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) serving in the Home Team are also an integral part of the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), and Singaporeans owe them a big debt of gratitude for responding to threats and saving lives, he added.

Speaking to the media during a visit to Punggol Neighbourhood Police Centre and Punggol Fire Station on April 4, PM Wong said: "Like the Singapore Armed Forces, our Home Team officers are the backbone of Singapore's safety and security. They work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to deal with all sorts of threats, both visible and unseen.

"In today's troubled world, the safety of Singapore is not something we can take for granted. It is made possible because of the commitment, dedication and hard work of our security forces."

Noting that the nature of threats is evolving, PM Wong said: "We have to deal with terrorist groups, not just overseas, but even home-grown and self-radicalised individuals, cybercrimes, scams and so on. That's why the Government will continue to invest in our capabilities to better respond to these different threats."