On This Day In 1997, The Home Team Was Formed To Safeguard Singapore
Twenty eight years ago, Singapore introduced a game-changing idea that reshaped the way we approach national safety and security.
On 24 Feb 1997, then-Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng officially launched the Home Team (HT) concept. It was a way to unite various departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), reinforcing the idea that while each agency had its own role, they all shared the same mission: keeping Singapore safe and secure.
The formation of the Home Team
The idea was simple but powerful - no single department could handle Singapore’s safety challenges alone. By collaborating, Home Team Departments (HTDs) could pool their strengths and resources, making security operations more efficient and effective.
The word "Home" comes from MHA, while "Team" symbolises the commitment to work together seamlessly.
At its inception, the Home Team included the MHA headquarters and seven key departments:
- Singapore Police Force (SPF)
- Internal Security Department (ISD)
- Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
- Singapore Prison Service
- Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB)
- Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (now Yellow Ribbon Singapore)
- Singapore Immigration and National Registration Department (now the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, ICA)
Over the years, the team grew to include new agencies such as the Home Team Academy in 2006, the Casino Regulatory Authority (now the Gambling Regulatory Authority) in 2008, and the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) in 2019.
Working as one Home Team
The Home Team concept wasn’t just about a name change; it revolutionised how these agencies trained, planned, and operated. As security threats became more complex, the need for teamwork became even more critical.
One example is the Integrated Checkpoints Command (ICC), launched in 2015, which clusters Singapore’s checkpoints into land, air, and sea domains. This unified command structure allows officers from ICA, SPF, SCDF, CNB, and HTX to work together seamlessly, improving border security and response times.
In 2016, the SGSecure movement was launched to rally the public to be vigilant, resilient, and ready to respond to attacks. Members of the Home Team, including national servicemen, actively engage the community through roadshows, emergency preparedness workshops, and safety awareness campaigns.
Honouring the guardians of our home
The Home Team marked its 27th anniversary by introducing Home Team Day on 24 Feb 2024. This annual event celebrates the dedication of Home Team officers, national servicemen, and volunteers who work tirelessly to keep Singapore safe.
At the inaugural event, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam highlighted the importance of the Home Team’s integrated approach in tackling today’s evolving security landscape. From crime prevention to border security, firefighting to rehabilitation, every Home Team department plays a vital role in safeguarding Singapore.
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