Police marks 70 years of K-9 Unit with heartfelt ceremonial parade
The Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) K-9 Unit marked a significant milestone on 3 Nov, celebrating 70 years of service with a heartfelt ceremonial parade at its Mowbray Road headquarters.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
Part of the Special Operations Command (SOC), the event brought together more than 50 officers from the K-9 Unit, Police Tactical Unit (PTU), Gurkha Contingent (GC), and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
Source: Singapore Police Force
A celebration of courage, loyalty & service
This year’s anniversary carried the theme “Commemorating the Past and Transforming for the Future”, reflecting the Unit’s commitment to honouring its legacy while continuing to adapt to evolving security needs.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
The SPF shared that the K-9 Unit continues to advance in areas such as training, deployment, and canine welfare, ensuring it remains agile and effective in tackling modern challenges.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
A key moment of the celebration was the unveiling of a mosaic artwork created to mark the 70th year.
The piece served as a tribute to the enduring bond between handlers and their dogs, illustrating the values of courage, loyalty, and service that have defined the Unit since its early days.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
The event ended on a heartwarming note with a cake-cutting ceremony, featuring one cake for guests and another made specially for the dogs — a fitting touch that captured the warmth and camaraderie shared within the Unit.
Source: Singapore Police Force
From 5 dogs to a national force
The Police K-9 Unit began in 1955, when Chief Inspector Frank C. Pestana brought in five German Shepherds from the United Kingdom, forming the original Police Dog Unit.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
What started as a small initiative has since evolved into a cornerstone of Singapore’s law enforcement.
By 1992, the Unit became part of the SOC, working alongside the PTU and GC to enhance operational readiness.
In 2003, it adopted its current name — the Police K-9 Unit — to reflect its growing expertise and range of duties.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
Over the years, the Unit has added several specialised teams, including Explosive Detection Dogs, Victim Recovery Dogs, Trailing Dogs, Public Order Dogs, and Public Security Dogs. Together, these capabilities enable the team to respond swiftly to evolving threats and emergencies.
“From detecting explosives to safeguarding national events, our K-9 officers and their service dogs have served with unwavering commitment,” said Superintendent of Police Jerlyn Tan, Deputy Commanding Officer of the Police K-9 Unit.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come and we’ll remain steadfast in keeping Singapore safe for generations to come.
Also read: 6-year-old Missing At Tanjong Pagar Foodcourt, Police & K-9 Doggo Locate Her At Nearby HDB
6-Year-Old Missing At Tanjong Pagar Foodcourt, Police & K-9 Doggo Locate Her At Nearby HDB
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Featured image adapted from Singapore Police Force and Singapore Police Force on Facebook.
