THE HISTORY OF THE SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE, 1819-1889

Abstract

The story of the police in pore Is the story of worthy efforts for an even more worthy object - that of Pax Britannia, As such it is inevitably part of the story of the British Colonial Police. But it is more than just that. To an empty island, crowded people of various nations and diverse creeds all in search of trade and wealth. In such a dynamic, turbulent conglomeration, most of the elements of which, knew only the law of might, an effort had to be made to establish many of the things that we now take for granted. Equality before the law, security of person and property and the assurance law and order under which we work and live to-day. It is with a sense of humility before those who have made the effort that their story has been recorded. This record is unavoidably sketchy owing to the inavailability of Police Departmental records and several enclosures in the Straits Settlements Records. I also gladly take this opportunity of thanking the Archivist at Raffles Museum for her unfailing assistance, Miss Teow of the Hostels Supervisor’s Office and Professor Parkinson for his invaluable guidance and supervision.