Since its inception, the Behavioural Sciences Unit has focused its efforts predominantly on knowledge creation and training in six main areas relevant to HT operations. They are as follows:
Detection of Deception Content
Comprising research and training into Detection of Deception (DOD) techniques, research linkups with the local/international academia and cross cultural research, this programme focuses on forensic and investigative psychology in detecting deception. This programme will explore the benefits, limitations and challenges of using DOD technology, study beliefs of HT officers with regards to deception and aim to enhance the capabilities of the HT in the area of investigative interviewing.
Behavioural Predictive Profiling Programme
This programme aims to cover aspects of crime and criminal profiling, profiling of commercial crimes (e.g. gambling, unlicensed money lending and crime links), Asia Pacific security and crime trends, and new societal trends (e.g. new media). Over time, the BSP intends to build up a database comprising case study profiles of significant and landmark cases. The programme also aims to cover issues relating to terrorism, focusing specifically on the application of behavioural sciences in looking at issues such as the process of radicalization and pre-attack indicators etc
Crisis Management and Critical Incident Programme
Aimed to train HT officers in public trauma management and human factors in crises, this area of work comprises the psychology of command and control, critical incident management, decision making under stress and fatigue management.
Home Team Leadership Development Programme
Based on the goal of leadership training and development, this programme comprises the psychology of effective leadership and command during crisis, development and assessment of leadership, personal mastery training and individual and organizational resilience.
Cultures Programme
Proposed as a new and medium term initiative, this programme is based on the need to understand other regional and international cultures, especially in the context of Singapore’s multi-racial composition, and to prepare HT officers for a more international networked nation. The development of inter-cultural competence in all HT officers is one main goal of the programme. Another area covered by this programme concerns issues of migrant adaptation with a goal of enhancing the effectiveness of the HT in managing the increasing new migrant population.
Futures Programme
This programme aims to develop, as well as to encourage others to develop forecasts of future behavioural challenges so as to maximize the effectiveness of law enforcement and HT organisations.