Singapore’s police force adjusts timeline for installation of more cameras due to pandemic delays, but continues efforts to expand surveillance coverage.
Police Camera Expansion Delayed to Mid-2030s
SINGAPORE — The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has delayed its ambitious plan to install more than 200,000 CCTV cameras across the island, with the new timeline now set for the mid-2030s. Initially, the SPF had planned to complete the installation by 2030, but this target was postponed due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, there are more than 90,000 police cameras (PolCams) already installed across the island. These cameras play a crucial role in crime prevention and investigation, as demonstrated in a recent case involving a woman who scalded her husband with boiling water in March 2024. The suspect tried to flee Singapore by ferry but was apprehended after being identified through PolCam footage.
The woman, who had attacked her husband after their marriage deteriorated, was captured fleeing the scene and changing her attire in an effort to disguise herself. Police officers, led by Station Inspector Siti Shamsiah Mohamad Deshah, reviewed footage from multiple residential blocks, tracked her escape route, and coordinated with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Their efforts, combined with timely police intervention, led to her arrest on a ferry bound for Batam, Indonesia. She was later jailed for eight months.
The SPF is now focusing on expanding camera coverage in high-traffic areas, including commercial districts, bus interchanges, and outside MRT stations. A tender was published to increase the number of cameras in these areas, which are frequently visited by large crowds. This expansion is part of the police force’s long-term plan to enhance surveillance capabilities and further improve public safety.
Despite the delays, the police remain committed to increasing the use of technology in their operations, with the future introduction of police robots and enhanced camera systems. The SPF emphasized that the strategic placement of the cameras will enable them to better monitor and respond to incidents in real time, improving their overall efficiency.
