Inception of The Singapore Police Co-operative Society

The Singapore Police Co-operative Society Ltd (SPCS) was launched on 18th August 1926 as the first co-operative for uniformed personnel in the Singapore Government Service. Since its inception, SPCS serves the uniformed and civilian staff of law enforcement agencies by offering support and care to members in meaningful and pragmatic ways, especially in the area of financial assistance. It is an institution with strong and sound financial fundamental and investments that offer many benefits for its members. SPCS is a social enterprise owned by its members, thus the Co-operative’s mission is tailored to best serve the needs of the members. The Co-operative is based on the International Co-operative Alliance’s Rochdale Principles of Co-operation.

Members voting at the 1991 Annual General Meeting

Toad Lane Store – the first retail Co-operative of “The Rochdale Pioneers” founded in 1844. It is now the Rochdale Pioneers Museum.

The Guiding Principle for The Singapore Police Co-operative Society Limited

The Rochdale Co-op founded in 1844 was the first co-operative registered in the world. It laid down the principles of running a successful co-operative. The original Rochdale Principles were officially adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), a worldwide co-operative union, in 1937 as the Rochdale Principles of Co-operation.

In 1995, the Co-operative Principles were adopted as part of the Statement on the Co-operative Identity when the International Co-operative Alliance celebrated its 100th Anniversary.

The Rochdale Principles

The Rochdale Pioneers are recognised throughout the world as the founders of the modern co-operative movement. Source: Rochdale Pioneers Museum / National Co-operative Archive.

Open Membership

A co-operative does not discriminate. Anyone willing to participate may do so. The co-operative can set ground rules for membership, so long as all persons meeting such criteria are able to join the co-operative if they so choose.

Democratic Control

According to the ICA’s Statement on the Co-operative Identity, “Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their own policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership.”

Limited Return on Capital

A co-operative is not intended to be a money-making enterprise for its members. Members may thus be paid only a limited amount of interest on any money they invest. This is why most co-operatives have a very modest initial investment requirement.

Surplus Belongs to Members

Since the co-operative members are also the owners, they receive any profit the co-operative makes from normal operations. In many co-operatives, the profits are reinvested into the business or other business-owned investments.

Honest Business Practices

According to the ICA’s Statement on the Co-operative Identity, “Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.”

Education

Another of the Rochdale Principles states that co-operative societies must provide education and training for their members and the public. According to the ICA’s Statement on the Co-operative Identity, “Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They should also inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of co-operation.”

Co-operation among Co-operatives

Co-operation among individual co-operative societies is an important aspect of keeping co-operatives alive in a commercial, consumer-driven world economy. According to the ICA’s Statement on the Co-operative Identity, “Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.”

Although different co-operatives from around the world use slightly different sets of principles, this brief outline helps to explain the working rationale of The Singapore Police Co-operative Society (SPCS), which follows each of the above principles in both theory and practice.

Arrival of members at the 2006 Annual General Meeting.