Singapore: Singapore is considering hiring Auxiliary Police Officers (APOs) from India, China, Philippines and Myanmar. Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam (K. Shanmugam) gave this information in Parliament on Wednesday.
Singapore is looking to expand the jurisdictions from which it recruits APOs as the numbers from Taiwan have declined in recent years. As a result, the Home Ministry is considering expanding the jurisdictions from where Assistant Police Officers (APOs) can be recruited.
What did the minister say?
These probably include Asian countries like China, India, Philippines and Myanmar. “We need to allow auxiliary police forces to recruit foreign APOs to meet the growing demand for security services,” the Minister was quoted as saying by Today newspaper.
What is the reason?
“Given the shortage in the local workforce, requirements such as physical fitness and the job options available to Singaporeans, the APO (Auxiliary Police Force) is being implemented,” the minister said while replying to a question from MPs and opposition Workers’ Party chairperson Sylvia Lim. Challenges are faced in maintaining adequate numbers.”
The minister was asked whether Singapore was still appointing APOs from Taiwan as it had been doing so since 2017. Shanmugam said that while auxiliary police forces will continue to employ Taiwanese APOs, their numbers continue to decline despite generally positive work experiences. “Recruiting them and retaining them has been a challenge,” he said.