Special Operations Command (Singapore)

The Special Operations Command (SOC) (Pasukan Operasi Khas; ) is a frontline unit of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) grouping together various specialist units into a single strategic reserve of the regular forces to be called upon in any contingency and serious case of public disorder. The current Commander is Asst Commissioner Anthony Ng Kin Hian. The Deputy Commander is AC David Scott Arul.

Today, the unit is composed of:

The SOC also provides secretarial support to the United Nations Peace Keeping Force (UNPKF) by pooling together volunteers selected from any unit in the SPF.

History
The SOC traces its history back to 1952, when an anti-riot squad of 60 police officers was formed in the wake of the Maria Hertogh riots, which broke out in 1950 and demonstrated the incapability of existing measures in containing serious cases of public disorder. The Police Task Force, predecessor of what is now the Police Tactical Unit was hence created.

On 10 September 1992, the SOC was formally created to combine the Police Task Force, the Police Tactical Team, and the Police Dog Unit under one command. In 1993, the Special Tactics and Rescue was formed to replace the Police Tactical Team. Greater involvement of Police National Servicemen was seen with the inclusion of the National Servicemen Key Installation Unit in 1994, and the formation of the Police National Service Full-time Light Strike Force in 1998.

In response to changing demands in urban security issues, the Police MRT Unit was formed in 2005 to provide armed security within and around stations and trains on the Mass Rapid Transit network. Pooled from regular and NSF manpower resources, they are the first SOC unit to be formed which involves regular front-line policing from inception. From 15 August 2009, the unit was renamed as the Public Transport Security Command and became an independent unit separate from the SOC.

Incidents

 * In the early morning of 25 April 1978, Constable Lee Kim Lai was abducted while he was performing sentry duties at the Police Reserve Unit (PRU) 1 base at Mount Vernon, and found stabbed to death in a taxi later.
 * On 17 May 1978, SGT Toh Say Tin from the PRU 1 was on special duties when he slipped and fell overboard while attempting to board a boat from marine police speedboat PA 6 off Marine Parade. A non-swimmer, he was not wearing a life vest, and was swept away by the currents. His body was found on 19 May 1978 about eight kilometres from the incident.

Weapons, equipment and vehicles


SOC troopers are typically armed with the MP5K and the MP5N Sub Machine Guns. New weapons introduced from 2004 include the HK 69, a grenade launcher which will replace the existing ARWEN 37. Their handguns will be replaced by the new HK USP Compact pistol, while the Sphinx 3000 pistol will also be introduced.