Law enforcement in Singapore

Furthermore, some law enforcement powers may be exercised by non-government entities such as auxiliary police forces and security officers.

Singapore's law enforcement system has resulted in crime being extremely low as compared to other developed nations and the world in general.

[1] The country also ranks highly on the Global Peace Index, being consistently placed in the top 10 and the highest in Asia for the past decade.

[5] The Singapore Police Force is the main government agency tasked with maintaining law and order in the city-state.

[8] The Internal Security Department (ISD) is a domestic intelligence agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs founded in 1966.

The ISD also monitors and addresses the prevention of racial tension which might affect the public peace, surveillance, apprehension of militants and protection of Singapore's national borders.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is in charge of immigration, Singapore passports, identity cards, Citizen Registration (Birth and Death), permanent residents services, customs, issuing permits to foreigners such as visit passes, visas and student passes.

It ensures that the movement of people, goods and conveyances through the checkpoints is in accordance with regulations imposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The organisation was formed on 1 April 2003 with the merger of Singapore Immigration and Registration and the border control functions of Customs and Excise Department.

[9] Auxiliary police forces are private companies with officers who are granted police-like powers and law enforcement authority.

Five auxiliary police forces are designated by legislation:[19] Under section 22 of the Infrastructure Protection Act, security officers have a limited power of arrest.