Showcasing the Police’s unique history and heritage.
By: Low Ee Ching
The Police Heritage Centre (PHC) celebrated its 20th anniversary on 15 August 2022. Opened in 2002, the PHC at New Phoenix Park showcases the history and heritage of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) from its formation in 1820 to the present day.
Inside the PHC, you’ll find diverse exhibits that illustrate the SPF’s development through the decades in tandem with key events that shaped Singapore. The PHC also honours the invaluable contributions of officers, both past and present, who have kept Singapore safe and secure.
Values, Ethos and Ethics
Each year, the PHC hosts more than 10,000 visitors. They include foreign dignitaries, grassroots organisations, SPF trainees and cadets from the National Police Cadet Corps. Through tours of the PHC, visitors get to know the values, ethos and ethics that ground and guide Police officers in their work.
The PHC currently has three exhibition panels on contemporary events. Thanks to the annual Children’s Season campaign of the National Heritage Board (NHB), the PHC has seen an increasing numbers of visitors from pre-schools and families, among whom are aspiring Police officers!
As a Museum Roundtable member under the NHB, the PHC plays a vital role in creating awareness of the SPF’s history, inspiring children through customised programmes that fit their learning needs.
Going Digital
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the PHC had to close its doors for about two years. It then pivoted to digital media to inform visitors about the SPF’s history. As part of the celebrations for the SPF’s 200th anniversary in 2020, a virtual SPF200 exhibition was also launched following a physical exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore.
For SPF200, the SPF also launched the Police Heritage Trail, which consists of nine landmark Police heritage sites. Virtual live-streamed tours of the Trail were conducted via Zoom to allow the public to learn about the heritage sites.
Reopening to the Public
In June 2022, the PHC organised an outreach event after COVID-19 restrictions had been relaxed, welcoming 247 visitors as part of its “Little Friends of the Force” programme. The programme included a guided tour for the children and an engagement session with Community Policing Unit officers from Kampong Java Neighbourhood Police Centre.
The programme was very well-received with parents expressing their appreciation and looking forward to visiting the PHC again!
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