Singapore Seeking Auxiliary Police Officers from India, China, Philippines, and Myanmar
Singapore is exploring the recruitment of auxiliary police officers (APOs) from India, China, the Philippines, and Myanmar in its efforts to broaden the jurisdictions from which it hires. The move comes as the number of APOs from Taiwan has experienced a decline over the past few years. The Ministry of Law and Home Affairs is considering expanding the countries from where auxiliary police officers can be recruited, with potential candidates from China, India, the Philippines, and Myanmar being among the options.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam stated in parliament that there is a growing demand for security services, necessitating the need to allow Auxiliary Police Forces to recruit foreign APOs. He pointed out the challenges faced by the forces in maintaining an adequate pool of APOs due to factors such as the shrinking local workforce, physical fitness requirements, and the availability of alternative job opportunities for Singaporeans.
While Singaporean APOs currently make up around 68 percent of the total population of these officers, with the remaining 32 percent comprising Malaysians and Taiwanese, the number of Taiwanese APOs has been decreasing. This is attributed to the demanding nature of public-facing security work and the improved prospects in Taiwan’s job market.
Responding to concerns about the risk of non-Singaporeans carrying firearms, Minister Shanmugam assured that the misuse of firearms by APOs, regardless of nationality, is extremely rare. The Ministry of Home Affairs effectively manages this risk through security screening, training, and supervision of APOs. He underscored that careful deployment of non-Singaporean APOs is prioritized.
The move to recruit auxiliary police officers from India, China, the Philippines, and Myanmar is anticipated to address the demand for security services in Singapore and provide opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the nation’s safety and stability.
The Ministry of Law and Home Affairs will continue to hire Taiwanese APOs, despite the decline in their numbers, as their working experience has been generally positive. However, efforts will be made to overcome recruitment and retention challenges associated with foreign APOs.
In conclusion, Singapore is actively exploring the recruitment of auxiliary police officers from India, China, the Philippines, and Myanmar as it seeks to expand its recruitment jurisdictions beyond Taiwan. The move aims to address the increasing demand for security services while navigating the challenges of sustaining an adequate pool of APOs. Singapore remains committed to ensuring the efficient deployment and management of APOs, regardless of their nationality, to maintain public safety and security.
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