Certis Group

Certis, formerly Certis CISCO Security Private Limited and CISCO Security Private Limited, is a Singaporean auxiliary police force authorized to provide armed security officers to government organizations as well as private companies or individuals in Singapore and abroad. Certis originated from the Guard and Escort unit of the Singapore Police Force (SPF), which was separated from the SPF as the Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation (CISCO) in 1972 as a statutory board with a monopoly over most areas of the local private armed security industry.

For the American computer networking company, see Cisco Systems.

Certis
TypeSubsidiary of Temasek Holdings
IndustryCompany police/Security services
Founded1958 (1958) (as Guard and Escort unit of the Singapore Police Force)
1972 (1972) (as Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation (CISCO))
5 July 2005 (2005-07-05) (as CISCO Security Pte Ltd)
13 September 2007 (2007-09-13) (as Certis CISCO)
23 October 2018 (2018-10-23) (as Certis)
HeadquartersSingapore
Area served
Singapore, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, China, Hong Kong
Key people
Paul Chong, Group CEO
ProductsIntegrated Technology Solutions
Physical Security
Aviation Security Services
Business Process Outsourcing
Integrated Facilities Management
Cash Management & Secure Logistics Solution
Storage & Coin Deposit Solution
Number of employees
Approximately 34,000
ParentTemasek Holdings (100%)
Websitewww.certisgroup.com/

From 1 June 2005, the statutory board was dissolved and Cisco Security Pte Ltd was formed upon its corporatisation as a fully owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings,[1] and inaugurated on 5 July 2005.[2] The abbreviation of the former statutory board, "CISCO", was retained due to its reputation in the local market. The company was renamed as Certis CISCO Security Pte Ltd on 13 September 2007[3] and as Certis in 2018.

As the oldest Auxiliary Police Force with a monopoly over most of the private armed security sector in Singapore for 33 years, Certis maintains a visible presence in many key establishments, including the private residences of VVIPs. They were deployed in major events such as the Singapore 2006 IMF Meetings, the New Year Countdown at Marina Bay in 2007 and 2008, the Chingay Parade and the Thaipusam processions. They also continue to dominate some services such as the transportation of valuables, most visibly in the form of delivering cash to automated teller machines.

History

Origins
Certis HQ

CISCO came into being in 1972 in the wake of a police employment scheme review by a committee led by Professor Lee Soo Ann a year earlier. It recommended that the Singapore Police Force's Guard and Escort Unit, itself formed in 1958,[4] be hived off as a statutory board of the Government of Singapore, in a bid to relieve manpower constraints on the SPF by empowering the new statutory board with the ability to conduct its own recruitment schemes tailored specifically for armed security services.[5] The company was established under the Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation Act.[6]

At its dissolution, the Guard and Escort Unit had a strength of 1,600 police officers, who received the same training as their counterparts in police divisions, and are mostly deployed as guards in commercial banks. The new statutory board absorbed most of these regular officers, although the committee recommended the early retirement of 460 older officers, with an enhanced pension scheme offered to them as compensation. A recruitment drive was also initiated on 1 April to recruit other police officers and boost its strength to 2,000.

CISCO, as a separate statutory board, became Singapore's only commercial entity offering armed security services. Its policemen continue to receive training via a 7-week residential training course at the CISCO Police Training School, which is adjacent to the Police Academy at Thomson Road, with training assistance from the Academy. Over time, the course was streamlined to fit their specific operation needs, and instruction was gradually taken over by fellow CISCO officers. CISCO police officers were dressed largely similar to their counterparts in the Singapore Police Force, and CISCO vehicles were also largely similar, except with the addition of a CISCO logo. CISCO officers were paid a salary of about S$650 in the 1970s.[7]

Diversification

In the next decades, the company diversified its operations beyond the provisioning of armed guards, providing a range of security-related services, including enforcement, management, and consultancy services for not just physical, but also data and IT-related needs.[8] In 1991, the board's new chief executive, Chan Boon Kiong initiated wide-ranging changes to turn the company round into a commercial entity with an annual turnover of S$200 million, with diversification into various aspects of security.[7] As the company began to diversify, its traditional armed police operations were organised under the name of CISCO Auxiliary Police under the Product Division, together with the CISCO Recall Total Information Management Pte Ltd and other specialised departments. It also began to expand abroad, having first established a joint venture with Zhong-Bao Security Industry Company in China in July 1995 with a 60% stake.[9]

In 1982, CISCO announced that the position of unarmed warden was dropped and constable was the lowest rank.[10]

CISCO officially opened its new Headquarters building at Jalan Affifi off Upper Paya Lebar Road on 20 June 1986, which then boasted some of the most modern facilities including the first computerised indoor shooting range in Singapore.[11] On 2 March 1994, work commenced to extend the CISCO Headquarters building to incorporate facilities to process and store high-value items and a computer disaster recovery centre.[11] The SCORE Counselling Centre was opened in the building on 5 December 1996.[12]

CISCO entered into a joint venture with Brambles Industries Ltd from Australia in May 1996 with a 51% stake to form CISCO Recall Total Information Management Pte Ltd (now Iron Mountain Recall) as part of its foray into the information management industry.[13] On 8 June 1999, the first purpose-built CISCO Recall Centre was officially opened, which included a 43-metre high document storage facility, the tallest single-storey building in Singapore.[14] A second CISCO Recall Centre was opened in Chin Bee Avenue on 10 September 2003, by which time the company's CISCO Recall service has 33 government agencies amongst its clients.[15]

By 1998, the company has over 2,000 clients which has installed security systems linked to CISCO's alarm monitoring system, an increase of 25% since 1996. This included some 500 private homes which paid between S$2000 to S$1million for such systems.[9] CISCO entered into a joint-venture with the National Library Board on 21 June 1999 to establish a digital signature certification authority service.[16]

CISCO manned the Area Licensing Scheme gantries in 1975[17] until the introduction of Electronic Road Pricing in September 1998, where 105 officers were redeployed.[18] CISCO officers began to assist the Traffic Police as traffic wardens to curb illegal parking on 1 November 1999.[19][9] Over 12,100 parking violation notices were subsequently issued in the next two months, prompting their implementation in more areas to allow the Traffic Police to concentrate on enforcing traffic rules on the move.[9]

During the height of the SARS crisis, CISCO officers were deployed to serve Home Quarantine Orders at the residents homes and install CCTVs at their homes.[9] These were enforced by about 60 officers,[9] who were given the power to electronically tag those who violate the order[20] Their high-risk duty was mentioned for praise during the then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's National Day Rally Speech in 2003[21]

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, CISCO reported an increase in business as a result of heightened security demands.[22] From November 2004, CISCO officers were deployed to assist in enforcing sensitive locations such as Jurong Island.[23] CISCO ventured into professional investigation services in 2005.[24]

In August 2012, cash and valuables were reported missing from safe deposit boxes held by Certis CISCO in at least 8 police reports. Clients were warned not to talk to the media. This was followed by a rush of customers to check on their safe deposit boxes and annulment of contracts due to various integrity issues.

Corporatisation
CISCO Security auxiliary police officer serving with the Istana Police. The uniforms of the Istana Police were not changed after corporatisation.

Over the years, the license to provide armed security services has been extended to other companies, including the Auxiliary Police Forces operated by PSA Corporation, Changi International Airport Services, Singapore Airport Terminal Services, and Singapore Technologies Kinetics, although these officers have their policing powers restricted to their areas of operation.[25] In the wake of rising security concerns, the government decided to introduce greater competition in the armed security service industry.

As a result of measures to create a more level playing field, the CISCO Act was dissolved in 2005, and CISCO ceased being a statutory board, corporatised as a fully government owned company, and came instead under the same legislative and regulatory guidelines as the other Auxiliary Police Forces.[26] The new company will no longer utilise the Singapore Police Force's crest, and changes will be made to the uniforms of its police officers, in line with its counterparts in the armed security industry.[26]

To minimise disruptions during the corporatisation process, the Ministry of Home Affairs transferred all of its former statutory board's assets, liabilities, staff and contracts to the new company, and did not give it a moratorium since the statutory board has already engaged in commercial services. The new company took over all businesses the statutory board had engaged in, and is now liberated to enter or exit from contracts based on its own commercial interests.

On 1 June 2005, the corporatisation process was completed and the new CISCO Security Private Limited formed.[27]

Post-Corporatisation

In 2018, Certis completed a three-year transformation journey to become an advanced integrated security services partner. The company announced a new Security+ solution which combines advanced security with facilities management and customer service, underpinned by technology.[28]

On 29 January 2019, Certis announced the establishment of a K-9 unit to protect facilities under contract.[29]

Certis has implemented a work-study scheme for any of its employees looking to study part-time while working.[30]

Company

CSR activities

Certis has supported the following inititiatives:

  • 15 November 2019: Gold Donor for ChariTrees 2019 - In support of The Business Times Budding Artists Fund[31]
  • 30 August 2019: Diamond Donor for The Blue Charity Gala - In support of SPD and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund[32]
  • 13 August 2019: Packing Activity at SPD Sheltered Workshop[33]
  • 5 July 2019: Launched 'Community Gives-Back' together with The Business Times Budding Artists Fund[34]
  • 23 April 2019: Donated to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund[35]
  • 9 November 2018: Presenting Donor of ChariTrees 2018 - In support of The Business Times Budding Artists Fund[36]

Training

Prospective Certis recruits were trained at the Police Academy with four weeks of residential training.[10] Previously, most were trained at its Kallang facility, but recruits had to go to the academy to practice shooting drills.[37] Requirements for Cisco constables were to attend residential training for three months while wardens were required to attend residential training for a month.[37]

In 2017, Cisco opened a new shooting range facility at Jalan Afifi where its officers can practice shooting techniques.[38]

Uniforms
CISCO officers securing the National Stadium, Singapore just before the final match of the 2004 Tiger Cup. Two variants of the uniform may be seen, as seen in the different headdress and footwear, although both wore the short-sleeved version.

Given its former affiliation with the Singapore Police Force, CISCO officers wore the same dark blue uniform as that of the police force when it was formed in 1972.[39] As the sole private armed security agency, and with several sensitive roles passed on to CISCO, the uniforms were kept similar such that the general public would not be able to tell CISCO officers from regular police officers unless under close scrutiny.[39] The primary distinguishing feature was of a black plastic name tag with a white border, as opposed to the plain all-black name tags worn by the police regulars.

As a result of several uniform reviews both by CISCO and the police in subsequent decades, however, it became easier to distinguish CISCO officers. The blue beret and long-sleeved shirts, phased out in favour of the peaked cap and short-sleeved shirts for most normal police officers, was still retained in the CISCO uniform. Similarly, CISCO retained the old metallic cap badges and collar lapels although they were replaced with embroidered versions in the SPF.

When CISCO was corporatised as CISCO Security on 1 June 2005, officers continued to don the old uniforms pending a review of their uniforms. Under governmental direction, the uniform was modified to inject distinguishing features between them and that of those worn by officers of the SPF to foster a more level playing field with other Auxiliary Police Forces in Singapore. From 15 June 2005, all 3,200 uniformed CISCO personal switched to the new uniforms.[39]

The new uniforms saw the adoption of a new corporate colour, steel blue, and the material was changed from pure polyester to poly viscose.[39][40] New buttons and badges on the cap and collars incorporating CISCO's logo were used in place of similar logos to the regular police force.[40] The leather belt was changed from black to brown, as is a band around the peak cap.[40] There is also a horizontal cutting across the chest from one pocket to the other.

While the new uniform was implemented across the company, some officers tasked to perform specific roles were exempt from the change, in particular those involving provision of security for sensitive locations or personnel, such as the Istana, the Supreme Court building and the private residences of VVIPs. Close resemblance of the old CISCO uniform with that of the regular police has allowed the latter to outsource sensitive roles, yet providing a visual impression of continued police presence. This practice was thus continued at sensitive locations despite the introduction of the new uniforms.

Notable Projects

One of Certis’ major projects include being the key security services provider for Jewel Changi Airport. Responsible for the facility’s security, facility management and customer services, Certis supplies its frontline workers which includes security personnel, concierge and service staffs and facilities maintenance staffs.[41] A multi-element, technological approach called “Security+” is Certis’ key service delivered in its project with the facility.[42] Some of these elements have been deployed by Certis independently in its prior projects. This is however, the first time that all six elements of the approach are integrated together in a single service delivery.

Apart from the Jewel facility, Certis’ other project is with JTC Corporation.[43] With its “Security+” approach, Certis deploys an advanced security operations for JTC’s South-West Precinct. The integrated approach is expected to boost productivity and efficiency for JTC in its operations through the use of technology and a trained, multi-skilled workforce.[44] “Security+” enables JTC to efficiently manage security and surveillance over its multiple properties, as well as reduce the response time to incidents. Deployment of security officers are better optimised as they can be efficiently deployed through activation by the Operations Centre.

Public Commendations
  • Hamidah Bte Salim, Customer Service Officer from Certis Aviation Security, won the Outstanding Star award at the annual Excellent Service Award (EXSA) 2019, Hospitality sector (Non-hotel Category)[45]
  • Mohammad Aijaz Ahmad, Certis Aviation Security Pass Office Supervisor, was commended by Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) for his act of rejecting a bribe
  • Loi Chia Yuan, Certis Aviation Security Officer, received the Security Officer of the Year Award 2019[46]
  • Foo Kong Soon, Certis Security Supervisor, received the Community Partnership Award for preventing a suicide attempt at IMM mall[47]
  • Isaac Pandian, Certis Cisco Aviation Security Officer, earned excellent service award for using his spanish skills to help a passenger who had lost her passport while in transit[48]
  • Barakath Nisha, Certis CISCO Aviation Security's Service Operation Executive, has won the Superstar award at the annual Excellent Service Award (EXSA) 2018, Hospitality Sector (Non-hotel Category).[49]
  • Corporal (CPL) Sng Teck Khoon, Corporal (CPL) Kong Peng Yik, Private Constable (PC) Liew Man Loong, Private Constable (PC) Sugan A/L Krishnan, Private Constable (PC) Chong Mee Keong were commended for assisting a cabby whose taxi had broken down along Geylang Road[50]
  • Loke Chee Meng, Certis associate at the National Gallery Singapore, received the “Best Customer Service for Attractions” award in 2016[51]
  • CISCO Lcp Mohammad Nasir Salleh and Constable Mohammad Sharani Rais, both 32, were commended for turning down a S$30 bribe from a trailer driver on 9 June 2001.[52]

References
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  2. The CISCO Inauguration Ceremony at Shangri — La Hotel Ballroom — Speech by Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Law "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-09-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link), The Straits Times, 5 July 2005
  3. "Cisco renamed Certis Cisco". www.asiaone.com.
  4. "Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem". www.techinasia.com.
  5. "Ministry of Finance Singapore (MOF)". www.mof.gov.sg.
  6. "Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation Act - Singapore Statutes Online". sso.agc.gov.sg.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2008-02-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Data". Archived from the original on 2009-05-13. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  9. "Data". Archived from the original on 2009-05-13. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  10. "Private estates to be told of Cisco's services". Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. 1982-04-03. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  11. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2008-02-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. Speech-Text Archival and Retrieval System Archived August 6, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  13. About CISCO Recall - © Recall Archived February 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  14. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2008-02-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. Speech-Text Archival and Retrieval System Archived May 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
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  17. "ALS to ERP". June 19, 2007. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016.
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-02-06. Retrieved 2008-02-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. "1999-Oct-30 - Traffic Wardens from 1-Nov-1999". August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-08-03.
  20. "404" (PDF). CNA. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008.
  21. "404". CNA. Archived from the original on April 2, 2008.
  22. Perry, Margaret. "CISCO officers to get newly designed uniforms". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 1 October 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  23. Choo, Johnson. "SAF arms key installation units with new weapons and security measures". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 21 May 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  24. Lin, Yan Qin. "Security companies now offer forensics and investigation services". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  25. "News@Home". June 17, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-06-17.
  26. "News@Home". June 17, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-06-17.
  27. "About Certis". www.certisgroup.com.
  28. Lai, Leila (23 October 2018). "Certis launches revamped business, new Certis Commonwealth facility". The Business Times.
  29. "Certis launches first auxiliary police K-9 unit in Singapore". The Straits Times. January 29, 2019.
  30. Liew, Isabelle (October 25, 2016). "Certis Cisco officers get to study and work". The New Paper.
  31. "Marina Bay to glow with over 150 specially-designed ChariTrees" (PDF). www.baf.sg/. 15 November 2019.
  32. "Certis stands by beneficiaries of The Blue Charity Gala". The Business Times. 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  33. "Certis stands by beneficiaries of The Blue Charity Gala". The Business Times. 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  34. "Certis partners BT Budding Artists Fund". The Business Times. 2019-07-08. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  35. hermes (2019-04-24). "Students tour Certis' new command centre". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  36. "Certis staff light up Charitrees". The Business Times. 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  37. "Private estates to be told of Cisco's services". eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
  38. "Upgraded range cuts training time for Certis Cisco officers". The Straits Times. May 23, 2017.
  39. "Channelnewsasia.com". 1 October 2007. Archived from the original on 1 October 2007.
  40. "Getforme Singapore CISCO GUARDS DON NEW UNIFORM FrontPage Edition 25 JUNE 2005". getforme.com.
  41. "The Future Of Work Now: The Multi-Faceted Mall Security Guard At A Multi-Faceted Jewel". www.forbes.com.
  42. "Mozart helps Certis orchestrate security and services at Jewel". www.straitstimes.com.
  43. "Certis wins contract to secure 60 JTC properties in southern, western Singapore". www.straitstimes.com.
  44. "Security+ to boost productivity by more than 25%". www.certisgroup.com.
  45. "休假日奔波助客户求婚 酒店职员荣获杰出星奖". www.8world.com. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  46. hermes (2019-07-25). "Officer lauded for detecting potential bomb". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  47. "Security officer who stopped suicide attempt at IMM mall gets police award". CNA. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  48. hermesauto (2018-11-26). "Spanish skills earn excellent service award for auxiliary police officer". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  49. "Ms Barakath Nisha received Excellent Service Award's Top Accolade for Her Exemplary Service". www.certisgroup.com. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  50. "Stomp Goody Bags for Certis CISCO officers who helped stranded cabby along Geylang Rd". Stomp. 2017-08-26. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  51. "Certis Associate Mr Loke Chee Meng bags award at Singapore Tourism Awards 2016". www.certisgroup.com. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  52. "Cisco officer commended for turning down bribe". The Straits Times. 16 January 2002.
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