Protective Security Command
Singapore counter terrorism police unit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Protective Security Command Command | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | ProCom |
| Motto | "Protect and Prevail" |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 8 July 2016 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Singapore |
| Governing body | Singapore Police Force |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | 300 Ulu Pandan Road |
| Agency executives |
|
The Protective Security Command (ProCom) is a specialist counter-terrorist police unit of the Singapore Police Force (SPF).[1] ProCom was commissioned on 8 July 2016 to protect strategic events and locations during peacetime and national emergencies, building up SPF's public security capabilities.
The predecessor of ProCom is the Police National Service Key Installations Command (PNS KINS), originally established in October 1994 under the Police National Service Department (PNSD).
With the evolving public security landscape and the heightened threat of terrorism, the unit was carved out of PSND and commissioned into a specialist command on 8 July 2016.
The unit has the largest group of full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) and Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) in the SPF.[2][3]
History
In October 1994, the Police National Service Key Installations Command (KINS) was established.[4] On 1 November 2003, KINS became part of the Police National Service Department (PNSD).[4]
On 8 July 2016, KINS was carved out of PNSD to form the standalone specialist unit ProCom. Apart from frontline Strategic Land Patrols (SLP) at security-sensitive locations, ProCom also provided security coverage at key national events, including the annual National Day Parade and the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Singapore.[2][3][5] In 2017, ProCom had more than 500 troopers in four Protective Security Units. [1][6]
In December 2017, ProCom established In-Situ Reaction Teams (IRTs) to complement existing ground response forces and emergency response teams.[7] These teams were to be deployed at areas with large human congregations.[7]
In October 2024, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Victor Ho assumed command of the unit.[8]
Event security and Election responsibilities
During the 2020 Singaporean general elections, ProCom was deployed at polling centres to ensure voter safety during islandwide polling.[9] This continued for the 2023 Singapore Presidential Elections and the 2025 General Elections. The ProCom officers worked alongside the Ground Respond Force (GRF) Officers to escort ballot carriers to the designated areas for vote tallying.
Public Sector Engagement Group
In February 2021, ProCom launched the Public Security Engagement Group (PSEG), to facilitate collaboration between ProCom and organisations on protective security matters. [10] PSEG was reported to have been working with more than 100 agencies and planned to engage approximately 200 organisations in 2021, such as such as Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Wildlife Reserve. [9] The group focuses on areas such as site security planning, surveillance coverage and emergency response preparedness.[10]
Strategic Location Response (SLR)
In June 2025, ProCom launched the unit's new Strategic Location Response (SLR) teams, which are equipped with additional capabilities such as unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for aerial surveillance and handheld counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) devices designed to disrupt unauthorised drones. The teams also operate modified Land Rover Defender 110 vehicles. The modifications include 360-degree camera systems, multiple airbags and tyre-pressure monitoring systems. [11][12]
Organization
Manpower
ProCom leverages on three types of personnel: regular police officers, conscripted Police Full-Time National Servicemen,[13] and Operationally-Ready Police National Servicemen (NSMen).[14]
Uniform
ProCom officers wears dark blue, the organisational colour of the SPF, beige berets and dark shades.[2]
Training
ProCom officers takes part in a six-week protective security specialisation course.[2] They are trained in weapons and tactical modules like security searches in urban environments, as well as fighting in built-up areas.[2]
ProCom officers joining the IRT complete another three-week training on operating firearms and learning specialised combat tactics.[9]
Equipment
ProCom officers are armed with the HK MP5 and the M4 carbine.[2] Their sidearm is the Glock 19 Gen 5 pistol, which replaced the Taurus Model 85 in June 2021.[15][16]
The unit is equipped with Land Rover Defender 110 SUVs.[11]
Operations
ProCom officers currently operate in groups of at least four officers and are deployed across the island.
They have four main functions: Strategic Location Protection (SLP), In-Situ Reaction Teams (IRT), Event Security (ES), and Protection of Installations (POI).[5]
