To tackle crime rates in Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew suggested that the Japanese Kōban system be studied.[2] Minister of Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng proposed the establishment of Neighbourhood Police Posts (NPPs) in Singapore.[2]
In 1982, three members from the Japanese National Police Agency arrived in Singapore to help with setting up NPPs in the country.[3] The first NPPs were to be set up in Toa Payoh by July 1983 with an evaluation phase starting from October 1983.[4]
In 1986, there was a total of 34 NPPs with 57 more NPPs to be built leading to a total of 91 by 1989.[5]
In 1997, Wong announced a restructuring of the neighbourhood policing system with the creation of the neighbourhood police centre (NPP) and reducing the number of NPPs from 91 to 66.[6] The NPP would be subsequently managed by the NPC.[6]
In December 2013, a six-month pilot of automated NPPs, located at West Coast, Radin Mas and Marsiling, was announced.[7] The automated NPP has video conferencing ability, automated drop-boxes for lost-and-found property, and tablets with various apps from government agencies for general public use.[7]
In 2016, there was a total of 62 NPPs.[7]