Aetos Security Management

AETOS Holdings, a member of the Surbana Jurong Group, is a security solutions provider based in Singapore. It was established on 31 March 2004, following the merge of the three Auxiliary Police Forces.

1. History


1. = Origins and organizational landmarks =

AETOS was established on 31 March 2004. Since its inception, it has merged the Auxiliary Police Forces of CIAS (Changi International Airport Services), PSA Corporation, and ST Kinetics, following an amalgamation exercise initiated by Temasek Holdings. In 2009, AETOS secured the contract for the Marina Bay Countdown Celebration event. On 13 October 2016, AETOS was acquired by Surbana Jurong, a Singaporean government-owned consultancy focused on infrastructure and urban development. On 26 January 2018, the company inaugurated its current headquarters at 5 Corporation Drive in Singapore.

1. = Operational history =

In 2007, AETOS participated in a joint security exercise at the Brani Container alongside PSA Singapore Terminals, the Singapore Police Force, and the Ministry of Defence, at the Brani Container Terminal to simulate a security situation at the terminal. In 2016, facing recruitment challenges among Malaysian and Singaporean nationals, AETOS recruited Taiwanese nationals willing to work in Singapore. In 2018, some of the Taiwanese nationals were deployed to work at land checkpoints alongside Singaporeans. According to reports from Radio Taiwan International, some Taiwanese nationals reported challenges in continuing their work due to stress associated with their assigned job posts. In January 2018, AETOS announced the opening of its Jurong West office, which included a new command centre, indoor shooting ranges, and a cash processing centre. In September 2019, AETOS signed a teaming agreement with TRD Singapore to provide countermeasure services against UAVs in Singapore. In November 2019, AETOS signed an agreement with COSEM Safety & Security Services to provide integrated security and safety consultancy services.

1. = Crises and controversies =

In June 2017, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced the arrest of two AETOS officers stationed at the Woodlands Checkpoint for planning to travel to the Middle East and join ISIS. In September 2018, AETOS initiated an investigation into an AETOS officer who was reported to be sleeping while on guard duty. In January 2019, SPF officers had found an AETOS officer, who had been stationed at the Woodlands Checkpoint, dead with a gunshot wound to the head. On 15 April 2021, an AETOS officer was arrested for allegedly robbing a moneylender with a Taurus Model 85 revolver he was found to have taken illegally when reporting for work.

1. Company

In 2006, AETOS Security Management established two subsidiaries, AETOS Security Consultants and AETOS Security Training and Consultancy, to support its unarmed security operations as well as its training and consultancy services. In 2015, AETOS was restructured and renamed AETOS Holdings Pte Ltd, comprising four subsidiaries: AETOS Security Management Pte Ltd (auxiliary police force), AETOS Guard Services (unarmed security officers), AETOS Training Academy, and AETOS Technology and Solutions.

1. = CSR activities =

From 1 April 2018 through 31 March 2019, the company was listed as a donor for Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.

1. = Personnel =

The first general manager was Andrew Tan (2004–2005). He was followed by Kelvin Tan (2005–2008). This position was re-designated as executive director in 2008 when Chua Chin Kiat took over. James Tan Chan Seng, the former Commissioner of the Singapore Civil Defence Force, served as the CEO from 2011 to 2019. On 27 March 2019, Alfred Fox was appointed CEO, with a start date of 16 April 2019. Quek Poh Huat, who oversaw AETOS' formation when the PSA Corporation, ST Kinetics, and Changi International Airport Services auxiliary police forces were integrated, stepped down as chairman on the same date and was replaced by Chiang Chie Foo. On 1 May 2024, Jerry See was appointed as its new Senior Executive Director. See was succeeded by Alfred Fox, who assumed the role of Chief People and Culture Officer at SJ Group.

1. == Requirements ==

Prospective candidates must pass background checks before participating in a seven-week residential training programme. Candidates with law enforcement experience participate in a three-week residential training programme.

1. = Training =

Until the opening of the Jurong West Office in 2018, prospective AETOS recruits conducted shooting practice at the Old Police Academy.

1. Organization structure

The AETOS team is composed of officers from the police force, military, and public service entities. AETOS' armed and unarmed officers are deployed to secure Singapore's airports, ports, key and strategic installations, as well as regional and local businesses and events. They also provide security services for events such as the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore Airshow and the 2015 Southeast Asian Games.

1. Deployments

Some deployment sites of armed and unarmed AETOS Security professionals include:

PSA Corporation Immigration & Checkpoints Authority Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay Singapore Cruise Centre Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal Police Cantonment Complex Singapore Changi Airport (providing part of the airside services) Woodlands Checkpoint Jurong Island Checkpoint Tan Tock Seng Hospital Changi Prison Institute of Mental Health (Singapore)

1. = Events =

Major events secured by armed and unarmed AETOS Security professionals include:

Marina Bay Countdown Celebration Chingay Parade Singapore F1 Grand Prix Singapore Airshow SEA Games 2015 Shangri-La Dialogue National Day Parade

1. Uniforms

When AETOS was incorporated on 1 April 2004, AETOS officers continued to wear the uniforms worn by officers from the antecedent Auxiliary Police Forces, namely Port of Singapore Authority Police (PSAP), Singapore Technologies Kinetics Police (STKP) and Changi International Airport Services Police (CIASP). Under governmental direction, the uniform was modified to include distinguishing features to differentiate them from the uniforms worn by officers of the Singapore Police Force. The new uniforms featured a new corporate color, tartan blue, and the material changed from pure polyester to polyviscose. New buttons and badges on the cap and collars incorporating AETOS's logo were used in place of logos similar to the Singapore Police Force. Owing to their former affiliation with the Singapore Police Force, AETOS officers initially wore tartan blue uniforms similar in design to those of the SPF. This similarity, dating back to the formation of the antecedent auxiliary police forces (PSA Police in 1947, STK Police in 1967, and CIAS Police in 1981), meant the general public could often not distinguish AETOS officers from regular police officers without close scrutiny; the tartan top was the primary distinguishing feature. As a result of several uniform reviews by the police and SIRD, Auxiliary Police Forces must wear uniforms with distinctive differences from those of their regular counterparts. AETOS retained the old metallic cap badges and collar lapels, while they were replaced with embroidered versions in the SPF. AETOS officers may also wear box caps, depending on operational requirements.

1. References


1. = Bibliography =

Khurana, K.C. (31 December 2009). Aviation Management: Global Perspectives. New Delhi, India: Global India Publications. ISBN 978-9380228396.