Completed in 1934, the former Hill Street Police Station was the largest government building in its time. It provided an important police presence in the heart of the colony, which was notorious then for its high crime rate.
As part of the government’s efforts to expand police infrastructure in the 1920s and 1930s, new stations and barracks were built in various parts of the island. At Hill Street, the station centralised the police division serving the core of Singapore and provided modern accommodation for policemen and their families. Facilities included garages, a recreation and instruction room and a playground for children. This supported a healthy police force and allowed policemen to be quickly mobilised during emergencies.
Leading up to World War II (WWII), the station’s role in civil defence expanded when it was fitted with air raid sirens to alert surrounding areas in the event of bombings. During the Japanese Occupation (1942–1945), the building was painted brown to camouflage it from Allied air attacks and was later painted white in 1949 following WWII.
Thereafter, the building continued to serve as a home to the police force until the early 1980s. After which, public agencies including National Archives of Singapore moved into the building. In 1998, the former Hill Street Police Station was gazetted as a National Monument. It underwent renovations and was painted in colours of the rainbow. Currently, it is the home for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Ministry of Digital Development and Information.
