Police Co-op Milestones and Timeline
Timeline
The Co-operative Societies’ Ordinance of 1924 allowed organisations to register and operate as co-operative thrift and loan societies.
On 18 August, the Sharikat Polis Repablik Singapura Bekerja Sama-Sama Jimat Chermat, Menyimpan Dan Pinjaman Wang Dengan Tanggongan Berhad or the Singapore Police Co-operative Thrift and Loan Society (SPCTLS) was registered with the Registrar of Co-operative Societies for the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States. It operated out of the Central Police Headquarters building on South Bridge Road.
It was the first co-operative society to be registered for uniformed personnel in the Singapore Government Service, and a key pioneer of the co-operative movement.
At the 8th Annual General Meeting of SPCTLS, presided over by Society “Patron”, Mr H. Fairburn, Inspector General of Police, membership was listed as 1,700 and the Society declared S$150,000 (roughly S$4.5 million today) available in capital accounts.
All co-operative societies ceased operations during the Japanese Occupation. Civil government was restored in April 1946.
The Co-operative re-emerged from the ashes of war. Headed by the First Welfare Officer of the Singapore Police, ASP H. Hall, the Co-operative went from 1,956 to 2,347 members in its first two years.
The Co-operative launched a Silver Jubilee scholarship fund to aid the children of members who were killed in action during the Malayan Emergency or who were otherwise incapacitated and invalided out of the service.
The Co-operative presented 197 education scholarship awards to the children of society members at a special ceremony at the Police Training School.
The Co-operative moved to Hill Street Police Station and Barracks along with the Police Welfare Division.
The Kinloss Retail Shop opened. It was named after its initial location in the Kinloss House (next to the former Ladyhill Hotel) located near No. 3 Lady Hill Road. The Co-operative itself would move there the following year.
The Co-operative moved to No. 3 Lady Hill Road, the site of the Kinloss House, which would lend its name to the Co-operative’s Kinloss Retail Shop.
Premier Security Co-operative Ltd was established as a joint venture between Police Co-operative and The Singapore Government Staff Credit Co-operative Society Ltd.
Premier Security continues to thrive today, with over 200 officers providing reliable and professional security services to more than 30 clients.
The Fixed Deposit Scheme for members was launched.
The Co-operative officially opened for business at its new location at the Hua Bao Building, 21 Middle Road. This marked the first time that the Co-operative was not headquartered in SPF premises, and the first time Police Co-operative owned its own headquarters.
The Co-operative launched its new logo; symbolizing the forward-looking nature of the Co-operative. The logo remains in use today.
The first version of the website for Police Co-operative was also launched, which marked the Co-operative’s first step towards digitalisation.
The Co-operative expanded its membership criteria to include all Home Team employees, expanding the reach of its financial assistance.
The Co-operative’s assets surpassed $100 million.
SPCS Consultancy Pte Ltd, a joint venture with SECOM (Singapore) Pte Ltd, was incorporated on 27 July 2006. It offers consultancy services and designs customised training programmes in general policing for its local and overseas clients.
It became a wholly owned subsidiary in 2016 and currently provides employment opportunities for more than 140 retired and former Home Team officers.
The Co-operative’s 85th anniversary was celebrated with a gala dinner.
The Subscription to Savings Scheme was also launched, offering fixed returns to the co-op’s savers on their Subscription account balance.
The Co-operative began its social media outreach with its first Facebook post on 13 July 2011.
The Co-operative’s membership crossed the 10,000 mark.
The Co-operative’s assets surpassed $200 million.
The Members’ Online Portal was launched in November 2023, providing members with convenient online access to check balances and update personal details.
The Co-operative organised a special centennial trip to Khao Yai and Bangkok, Thailand, in celebration of its 100th anniversary. The trip was open to all members and their guests to commemorate the historic milestone together.
A Gala Dinner was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Singapore Police Co-operative Society Limited, under the theme “Celebrating a Century of Trust”.
