Singapore Police Force Appoints New Commissioner Effective January 2026

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) will welcome its new Commissioner of Police, Mr. How Kwang Hwee, on January 6, 2026. He will succeed Mr. Hoong Wee Teck, who is retiring after a decade in the role. Currently serving as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Policy), Mr. How has a notable background in law enforcement, having held multiple key positions within the SPF.

Mr. How, aged 46, has previously served as the director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and senior director of the policy development division at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). His leadership experience includes significant roles such as Deputy Commissioner (Investigation and Intelligence) and director of the operations department. Notably, he played a crucial role in the planning and execution of security operations during the Trump-Kim Summit in 2018 and led an anti-money laundering operation that resulted in the arrest of ten foreign nationals.

Achievements of the Outgoing Commissioner

Mr. Hoong, aged 62, has dedicated 38 years to the SPF, being appointed Commissioner of Police in January 2015. During his tenure, he held important roles including Deputy Commissioner (Investigations and Intelligence) and director of the CID. Under his leadership, the SPF has seen significant advancements in crime-fighting capabilities.

The MHA highlighted that Mr. Hoong “significantly strengthened” the SPF’s operational capabilities. Innovations such as unmanned aerial vehicles for patrols and an extensive police camera network equipped with video analytics have led to faster resolutions of crimes, including robberies. His establishment of the SPF’s Anti-Scam Command and Emergency Response Teams has also made a notable impact, resulting in a 26 per cent decrease in scam cases and a 12.6 per cent drop in scam losses during the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year.

Looking Ahead

The MHA has underscored that, under Mr. Hoong’s leadership, Singapore has consistently remained one of the safest cities globally. The country boasts low crime rates and high public trust in the SPF. The Ministry expressed gratitude to Mr. Hoong for his decades of loyal service and exemplary leadership.

With Mr. How stepping into the role of Commissioner, he is expected to continue the momentum of technological transformation within the SPF, particularly in utilizing artificial intelligence for enhancing investigative capabilities and crime detection. His track record suggests a commitment to improving public engagement and service delivery in the police force.

As Singapore prepares for this leadership transition, the community looks forward to the continued evolution of its police force under Mr. How’s guidance.