Streamlining how our officers access essential gear and armaments.
By: Glenn Wong
In the fast-paced world of policing, every second counts. As part of the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) efforts to enhance operational efficiency, the Police Logistics Department (PLD) has rolled out the Automated Equipping System (AES) and the Automated Armoury System (AAS). These new systems support frontline operations by reducing the time taken to withdraw and return equipment and armaments.
AES: Quick Access to Essential Gear
Before the AES was implemented, officers relied on a maintenance officer to equip them. This was time-consuming and required manpower resources to be at hand.
First implemented at Woodlands West Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) on 1 December 2021, the AES streamlines the issuance and return of operational equipment. It uses weight sensors and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tech to allow officers to withdraw and return equipment faster and with greater flexibility.
Officers can withdraw replacement gear or return faulty equipment by themselves without the need for additional manpower.
Sergeant (Sgt) Farhan Shah Bin Hassan, a Ground Response Force officer with Woodleigh NPC, notes the difference: "With the AES, there’s no need to queue to collect or return our equipment, saving us precious time.”
As of May 2025, the AES has been implemented at 30 NPCs and will be deployed at the remaining four NPCs by June 2026. PLD also plans to expand the system across more Police facilities to boost operational efficiency and readiness.
AAS: Secure Access to Armaments
Getting firearms ready for duty used to require a shift Duty Armorer to prepare, collect and manually account for each item, a process that could take up to two hours at the start or end of every shift.
With the AAS, the time required is significantly reduced. First rolled out at Woodleigh NPC on 19 August 2024, the system features smart lockers, RFID technology on the weapons themselves and a two-factor authentication (2FA) system.
This secure setup lets officers withdraw and return armaments on their own, improving efficiency at work.
Currently implemented in four NPCs, the AAS will be rolled out to the remaining NPCs progressively by December 2027.
Equipped for the Future
The AES and AAS serve as vital tools to enhance operational efficiency, letting officers focus on safeguarding Singapore, every day. “These automated systems remove manual record-keeping processes and significantly improve the efficiency of our frontline officers,” says Commanding Officer of Woodleigh NPC, Superintendent of Police Sabrina Wong. “This allows the SPF to redeploy officers to support other frontline duties and to utilise their time more meaningfully.”
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