The Police Heritage Centre opens its doors after a two-year hiatus!
By: Nurfarahin Hassan
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Police Heritage Centre (PHC) has finally reopened its doors to visitors on 3 June 2022 to celebrate Police Day! Read on to find out more!
What is the Police Heritage Centre?
The PHC was officially opened on 15 August 2002. Managed by the Public Affairs Department’s Heritage and Social Responsibility Branch (HSB), the PHC showcases artefacts and multimedia displays that highlight the rich history of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) from colonial times to the present day.
Besides casting a spotlight on the trust and rapport that has been built up over the years between the SPF and the community, the PHC also pays tribute to the men and women in blue who gave their lives in the line of duty to help keep Singapore safe and secure.
Going Virtual
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the PHC had to be closed to the public, the HSB found a way to continue sharing the SPF’s history with visitors – a virtual tour of the PHC.
Coinciding with the SPF’s bicentennial anniversary in 2020, the HSB launched the SPF200 Exhibition: Frontier Town to Safest City. This virtual exhibition took visitors on a journey that charted the SPF’s evolution from the 1820s to the present day. Using 360-degree video technology, visitors could learn about the history of the Force beyond the physical space.
Little Friends of the Force
The PHC finally reopened in June 2022 after a two-year hiatus with a children’s programme called Little Friends of the Force, in conjunction with this year’s Police Day.
“We’re thrilled to commemorate this year’s Police Day with our young visitors!” exclaimed Koh Jieling, a Management Executive with the HSB. “It’s the perfect moment to reopen PHC and celebrate together with children and their families.”
The Little Friends of the Force programme aims to share the SPF’s rich heritage and build a deeper understanding of the SPF’s history among children. To keep young minds engaged, the programme clocks in at a brisk 45 minutes.
Additional activities were conducted for children after the tour. These included a talk conducted by officers from the Community Policing Unit of Kampong Java Neighbourhood Police Centre on road safety and being careful of strangers as well as a worksheet colouring session thereafter.
A Big Thumbs Up!
As Jieling explained, “Such outreach activities allow us to interact with children and educate them about road safety and crime prevention. We also hope to inspire children to become Police officers through such engagements!”
Response to the Little Friends of the Force programme has been overwhelming. The children enjoy the tour and activities, displaying a keen sense of curiosity about the SPF. Parents have also been supportive, with many providing positive feedback and requesting that the programme be extended. “During the June school holidays, the slots were fully booked within seven hours!” exclaimed Jieling.
Looking Forward
Now that the PHC is open to the public again, the HSB has plans to further its children’s programme. The team is currently planning for the December school holidays.
“The planning for this year definitely had its challenges, and it wasn’t always smooth sailing,” said Jieling. “But the result has been very satisfying. Looking at the children’s smiles and seeing them learn more about the SPF – that makes everything worthwhile.”
Want to learn more about the rich history and heritage of the Singapore Police Force? Visit the Police Heritage Centre.
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