Gurkha Contingent

Coordinates: 1°20′21.41″N 103°52′44.79″E / 1.3392806°N 103.8791083°E / 1.3392806; 103.8791083

The Gurkha Contingent (Abbreviation: GC) is a line department of the Singapore Police Force from Nepal. Members of the GC are trained to be highly skilled and are selected for their display of strong discipline and dedication in their tasks. The principle role of the contingent is to be a special guard force, and it is currently used as a counter-terrorist force.

History

The GC was formed on 9 April 1949 in the wake of Indian independence from the British Empire, when Gurkhas of Nepal battalions from the Indian Army were divided between the Indian Army and the British Army. Those transferred to the British Army were posted to other remaining British Colonies. In Malaya and Singapore, their presence was required in the Malayan Emergency, and their roles were to replace the Sikh unit in Singapore which reverted to the Indian Army on Indian independence.

Just a year after their formation, their presence became an asset when racial riots between the Malay and European communities broke out over the disputed custody of Maria Hertogh. The GC troopers were again activated when major rioting erupted all over the country between the ethnic Malays and Chinese on Prophet Mohammed's birthday from 21 July 1964 till September that same year.