Latest news with #HomeTeam
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Five Home Team officers receive new MHA scholarship to develop skills in AI, data analytics
Deputy Superintendent of Police Ng Liang Jie and Mr Daniel Chia, both recipients of scholarships from the Ministry of Home Affairs. SINGAPORE - Five officers from the Home Team received a new scholarship on July 22 for the development of technical skills in areas such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, digitalisation, user experience and user interface. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ng Liang Jie was among the recipients of the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) Emerging Skills scholarship, which received applications in 2024 for the first time. With the scholarship, the 34-year-old will be pursuing a master's degree in information technology at the Singapore Management University in August. He is now Operations Officer at the Criminal Investigation Department, where he is in charge of enhancing investigation systems with technology. With no prior experience with technology when he first took on this role, he taught himself python programming. 'I felt that I lacked domain knowledge (for the job)... (but) I thought it was a good opportunity to gain more exposure,' he said. 'Technology is constantly evolving... the common saying is that you either adapt, or get left behind. That was another motivating factor for me to take up this course of study and keep myself relevant,' said DSP Ng, who joined the Singapore Police Force as an investigation officer (IO) in 2016. A total of 128 Home Team officers received undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and sponsorships from MHA on July 22. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Asia Indonesia on high alert as dry weather fans forest, peatland fires in Sumatra Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded Singapore Teen charged after allegedly selling vaporisers, advertising e-cigarettes on WhatsApp Singapore 2,500 turtles seized in India and sent back to S'pore, put down humanely after salmonella detected Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving Seven Home Team officers under the Singapore University of Social Sciences' Public Safety and Security programme also received the MHA Book Prize, for the top MHA students in each cohort and the top MHA students with the best dissertation papers. In his speech at the award ceremony, Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong noted the rapidly evolving security challenges due to technological advancements and changing global dynamics. 'They are a timely reminder that the Home Team cannot stand still,' he said. Mr Tong, who is also the Law Minister, said that Singapore was ranked second by the Gallup for Law and Order and by the World Justice Project for Law and Order in 2024, a testament that the Home Team has done well thus far. In a recent survey conducted by MHA, 94 per cent of Singaporeans favourably rated the Home Team's performance in keeping Singapore safe and secure. Mr Tong added: 'But to continue to do well, year after year, and no matter what new challenges our operating landscape presents to us, the key is to invest heavily in the development and growth of our officers.' Mr Daniel Chia, one of the recipients of the MHA postgraduate scholarship, has seen much over two decades since joining the Home Team as an IO in 2004. Before he took on his current role as deputy director of finance and administration at MHA, he had even earned the nickname 'Death IO' after dealing with 13 cases of unnatural deaths in a day. He also recalls a case 'where a woman decided to take her own life'. 'Her husband and son called me in the middle of the night asking where she jumped,' said Mr Chia, 45, who will be studying for a master's degree in project management at the National University of Singapore. Since contracting an illness in 2011, he has had to become a civilian officer as he can no longer do strenuous exercises. After getting his master's degree, Mr Chia said he is open to any available roles within the Home Team. 'At this point I think I can pretty much do anything, nothing surprises me any more,' he said.
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- AsiaOne
Police test ride-hailing robot to patrol Changi Airport T4 , Singapore News
The Singapore Police Force's Airport Police Division (APD) and Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) have been piloting a new police patrol robot named Gibson since early July. This indoor robot, which was built to enhance police presence and improve officers' mobility, can also be used as a means of transport. During the demonstration to the media on Wednesday (July 16), Gibson operated within Changi Airport Terminal 4 in its dual-mode operation — autonomous and ride. The autonomous mode compromises of in-depth cameras, 3D LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) cameras and Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging) techniques that allow Gibson to determine its location, safely navigate the indoor environment and avoid collisions. This indoor robot is also equipped with a "safety bubble" feature, which functions as a proximity detector. This means it can stop and sound a horn when it detects that someone is too close or obstructing its path. On the other hand, the ride mode allows the robot to travel to an officer's location autonomously through a ride-hailing function. This function is developed in-house by HTX, and it is especially critical for APD's Ground Response Force officers as it frees them to focus on incident response while enhancing mobility and operational readiness within the airport. "Its autonomous mode will allow officers not to worry about having where to park Gibson, where it can continue to patrol in the airport without having to return to its designated parking lot," said Superintendent of Police Patrick Pang, an operations officer for planning and readiness from APD. He also mentioned that the ride mode is designed to "allow officers to summon for Gibson without having to manually search for one". Officers riding it will be able to travel large indoor areas, thus improving their incident response time. Human-robot collaboration "Gibson was developed as part of our ongoing efforts in advancing human-robot collaboration where Home Team officers can team up with robotics systems to carry out patrol missions and to respond to incidents collaboratively," said Seah Qi Yan, an engineer from HTX Robotics, Automation and Unmanned Systems. Gibson was developed through a collaboration with the A*STAR Institute for Infocomm Research. HTX plans to move beyond traditional patrol robots that work on their own, aiming to build smarter, more connected robots that can react to their surroundings and take input from Home Team officers. Gibson is not the first robot that has been used by the police in Changi Airport, but this is the first rideable one. It is not known when it will become operational. When AsiaOne was invited to test out Gibson, we found the ride to be unexpectedly smooth. Although there were some shaky moments when approaching a turn, the robot handled it well. [[nid:719449]]
Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Straits Times
How S'pore's security forces collaborate behind the scenes to keep the nation safe
From crime-fighting on the ground to cutting-edge tech in the skies, the Home Team's evolution shows how innovation and teamwork have safeguarded the nation through the decades and into the future Over decades, the Home Team has grown into a unified force committed to keeping Singapore safe. Today's threats move fast – and so does the Home Team . From law enforcement and emergency response to civil defence, border security, and drug control, this network of 10 agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs is constantly evolving to protect Singapore and its people. But the nation's safety did not happen by chance. It is the result of decades of dedication, innovation and strong inter-agency collaboration and community support. From past to present: Watch how the Home Team was formed From its beginnings as separate departments to today's united, tech-enabled force, the Home Team has grown with one mission in mind – to keep Singapore safe, resilient and ready for whatever lies ahead. Trace some of the Home Team's key milestones and developments captured in The Straits Times headlines. From once operating independently to now co-developing intelligent systems across different agencies, the Home Team's integrated approach is built on a shared mission – keeping Singapore safe and secure. It was not always this way. Previously, each Home Team department, under the purview of MHA, had their own specific role. However, as safety challenges became more complex, there was a need for agencies to work closely together. In response, the Home Team concept was launched in 1997 to take a unified approach. Its role evolved further with the 2006 launch of the Home Team Academy, aimed at sharpening skills across the various forces. In 2019, the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) was established to develop customised tech solutions and grow organic capabilities for the Home Team. When a deadly earthquake hit Myanmar on March 28, cyborg cockroaches – tiny, tech-enhanced insects – grabbed global attention. Co-developed by HTX, they crawled into collapsed buildings, sending real-time data to help rescuers locate survivors trapped in spaces too small for humans. Back home, more inter-agency innovations continue to strengthen emergency response – from the Traffic Priority System that clears the way for ambulances, to updated police tactics including elite motorcycle units, pepper spray launchers and K-9 support for faster, more agile riot control. With new threats emerging and technology transforming rapidly, the Home Team harnesses digital innovation to stay one step ahead. AI-driven analysis, biometrics, smart command centres, and autonomous response tools are just some of the new ways being deployed to keep Singapore safe. These advancements reflect not just cutting-edge tech, but the strength of inter-agency collaboration powering them. By pooling expertise and resources across agencies, the Home Team has over the years not only stayed ahead of evolving threats but also set new benchmarks in operational readiness, public safety and life-saving capabilities. Watch this video to learn more about how the Home Team was formed*. *This video was produced for Home Team Day 2024.
Time Out
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Time Out
NDP2025: Guide to National Day in Singapore
A good hangover from the Covid-19 pandemic days is that NDP celebrations now spill over to the heartlands. On August 10, you and your family can enjoy celebrations at the open fields beside these locations: Bishan Junction 8 One Punggol FutsalArena @ Yishun Wisma Geylang Serai Bukit Combak ActiveSG Stadium Each of the five districts will have a unique theme. Look forward to the mobile column of vehicles from the SAF and Home Team, the Red Lions descent into the Bishan heartlands site at 4pm, and the flypast of four F-16s fighters from 6pm to 6.30pm. There will also be plenty of carnival games to keep families entertained. You must pick up a ticket
CNA
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- CNA
National Day heartland celebrations will see 60 SAF and Home Team vehicles forming mobile column
Residents in Singapore can now track the location of the National Day mobile column as it makes its way around the country during the heartland celebrations on Aug 10. A total of 60 vehicles from the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team will be involved, and they will be making brief stops for the public to see them up close. Nikhil Khattar reports.
