A FORCE FOR THE NATION The Force POLICE WEEK 2013 Police Life Special Edition EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Editorial Advisor AC Ng Guat Ting 2 The Police Day Chief Editor – Snapshots at Milestones DAC Poh Lye Hin

Senior Editor Ms Leena Rajan 4 The Best in the Force

Editor Ms Tham Yee Lin 8 What It Means to Me to be a Writers Force for the Nation SSgt Edwin Lim Jia Zhong Ms Chew Si Lei Jinnie SC Muhammad Alif Bin Sapuan SC Muhammad Idaffi Othman 10 The Parade

Photographers SSgt Edwin Lim Jia Zhong 12 They Prevent. They Deter. Sgt Chee Yong Tat They Detect. Production Controller SC Muhammad Idaffi Othman 18 Master of Chaos Special Thanks Mr Lam Sin How Sgt (NS) Faizal Bin Farouk Sgt (NS) Seow Buan Chuan Earnest 22 Geared Up To Act and Protect

Design And Production Company Chung Printing Pte Ltd 26 COPS: Knowing Their Neighbourhood Inside Out Visit us at 28 Ready for the Future http://www.facebook.com/singaporepoliceforce

http://twitter.com/singaporepolice

http://www.youtube.com/user/spfcommunityoutreach

http://www.razor.tv/site/servlet/segment/main/specials/i-witness

Police@SG iPhone / Android App

PoliceLife@SG iPad / iPhone App Police Life is a publication of the . We welcome feedback on articles from our readers. Please send them to Public Affairs Department, Police Headquarters, New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329560, or e-mail [email protected]. Whilst every endeavour has been made to ensure that information provided is up-to-date and accurate, the publisher will not be responsible for any errors or omissions. The materials in this publication are not to be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the Editorial Advisor, Police Life Editorial Committee. The editorial committee also www.spf.gov.sg reserves the right to edit or publish all articles or information used in this publication. FOREWORD

s a Force for the nation, we are relentlessly working on preventing, deterring and A detecting crime. Every June, we take time out to reaffirm and celebrate our contribution to the community.

The Police Day Parade is one event where we honour our past and rededicate ourselves to the service of the nation. Our officers’ good work is recognised during the Commissioner of Police’s Commendation Ceremony. Not forgetting the important role our community partners and stakeholders play in crime-fighting, we thank them during the Annual Police Dinner.

The Police Life team has put together this special edition to commemorate this year’s celebrations. Start with a glimpse of some of our parade’s past milestones. Then share in our officers’ pride as they talk about their work both frontline and behind the desk. We have teams of officers from the Traffic Police Department, Neighbourhood Police Centre and the Commercial Affairs Department introducing what they do on a day-to-day basis. You can also “hear it from the horse’s mouth” by viewing the video interviews with some of them in our iPad and iPhone app versions. Rounding off this issue is a look into what the future holds for the 15,700–strong Force.

As it is said, change is the only constant. The Police Life Editorial team is working on a new look and feel for Police Life. So keep a lookout for our future issues!

AC Ng Guat Ting Police Life Editorial Advisor Director of Public Affairs Department

A FORCE FOR THE NATION

1 2007 – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong graced the Police Day Parade for the first time. The parade was held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The Police Day Parade – Snapshots at Milestones

By Mr Lam Sin How

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) held the annual Police Day Parade on 3 June 2013 at the . The Police Day Parade is the most important parade of the year for Police officers, as we reaffirm our core values of Courage, Loyalty, Integrity and Fairness, and rededicate ourselves to the service of the nation.

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2 This parade is steeped in tradition. A quick review of the milestones makes for an interesting read.

2001 – The Police Day Parade 2000 - DSP (NS) Yeo Chak 1958 – Governor Sir William Goode was held in the Singapore Indoor Khiam, NS Commander inspected the first Annual Police Review Stadium for the first time. of , held in public, at the Padang. was the first NS officer to command a Police Day Parade.

n 12 July 1958, the last history, experiencing the birth pangs command a Police Day Parade. It was Governor of colonial of post-colonialism and strife. The an affirmation of the contributions Singapore, Sir William Police Review was part of the wider of our NSmen to national safety Goode, inspected a outreach to enlist public support to and security. The following year, on parade comprising fight crime. Four years later, on 3 2 June 2001, the parade was held O1,170 members of the Force and 48 June 1975, we have the first records for the first time in the Singapore vehicles. Held at the Padang, it was of Police Day Commemoration Indoor Stadium. Six years later on the first Annual Police Review that held at all command, 3 June 2007, it was again held in was held in public. The following divisional and unit headquarters, the Singapore Indoor Stadium, but year, on 3 June 1959, the Singapore where all officers recited the Police the Reviewing Officer and Guest- Order-in-Council came into Code of Ethics and renewed their of-Honour was Prime Minister operation after we achieved internal loyalty to the nation. This milestone Lee Hsien Loong, who graced the self-government with full government was built upon in 1993 – when the occasion for the first time. What powers except over defence and first centralised Police Day Parade a proud moment it was for the foreign affairs. With full control was held on 3 June, which would participating officers, and the Force! over internal affairs, the government henceforth be staged as part of every They were equally proud on 3 June named the Force as “Polis Negara Police Week. All SPF units were 2013, when Deputy Prime Minister Singapura”. Therefore, 3 June has represented in the parade. Teo Chee Hean, Co-ordinating been observed as the Police Day. Minister for National Security and On 3 June 2000, then Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, graced After 1958, it was not until 13 Superintendent of Police (DSP) the Police Day Parade at the Home years later in June 1971 that the (NS) Yeo Chak Khiam, National Team Academy. next Police Review was conducted. Service (NS) Commander of Bedok The intervening 13 years were a Police Division, created history by tumultuous period in our nation’s becoming the first NS officer to

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3 POLICE WEEK 2013

4 The Best in the Force By Sgt (NS) Seow Buan Chuan Earnest * Photos by Sgt Chee Yong Tat

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5 wards were presented the streets. We also spend a lot of their National Service obligations at the Police Day time educating the residents about seriously. Parade held on 3 crime prevention, securing their June 2013 to the top homes and properties, crime trends, DSP (NS) Chew also shared, “I feel three winners of four as well as encouraging them to join really glad that the Division has won Aprestigious competitions. Here are the Citizens-On-Patrol. This is because this award. This is our second win in champions’ thoughts on their win: prevention is always better than cure. a row, and it shows that some of our key initiatives are working well. It is Best Land Division Award Q Is there anything you would like to recognition for the dedication and Ang Mo Kio Police Division was say to your officers? commitment of our NSmen and their awarded the Best Land Division Winning this award is a great honour leaders.” Award for FY2012. The division’s for me, or any commander for commander, Assistant Commissioner that matter. It is also recognition Best National Service of Police Keok Tong San, shared the of the efforts of all the officers Operationally Ready Unit and staff in the Division, from the following: After being first runner up for two frontline officers to the investigation years, the branches and office staff. I want to Q What are your thoughts on winning (‘A’ Division) has come out tops congratulate all of them. We must the Best Land Division Award? in FY2012, winning the Best take care though, to stay focused and I’m elated, myself, to win this, and National Service Operationally not rest on our laurels, as our job the officers are quite jubilant. The Ready Unit Award (BNSORUA). is never done – there will always be Best Land Division Award recognises A strong showing across 12 crime. each Land Division’s performance in performance indicators from the key areas of policing, and our win is three categories of operational indicative of the hard work we put in. Best Key Installations Unit readiness, professionalism, and Having said that, this award does not Stellar performances in the administrative excellence, as well as pre-occupy us, and we are focused on Individual Physical Proficiency the Individual Physical Proficiency our core mission of preventing and Test and shooting tests, as well as Test and shooting tests had paved detecting crime, and creating a safer high standards of discipline during the way for ‘A’ Division to clinch environment for the community. The deployments have landed the the first BNSORUA under the new award is a very nice achievement, but (APD) Key assessment criteria. good service to the residents is what Installations (KINS) unit its second we truly want to deliver. Best KINS Unit Award in a row. Previously named the Best Police National Service Land Division Q Are there particular areas that you The award recognises performance in Award, a review of the competition feel the Division did exceptionally well areas such as operational readiness, criteria in FY2011 led to it being in? skill proficiency, and administrative renamed the BNSORUA, with the I cannot pinpoint any category in excellence, amongst others, and aims aim of achieving greater alignment particular; rather I think it was a to motivate KINS troopers through with the SPF’s vision and mission. great performance by us all-around. friendly competition between units to In fact, we take a rather ‘old-school’ improve efficacy in their duties. ‘A’ Division’s win was the result of the approach, nothing spectacular, to sound management of their Police policing. I have always advocated Commanding Officer, APD KINS, National Service (PNS) contingent. our officers being in uniform on the Deputy Superintendent of Police The Division’s leaders, PNS staff and ground to project a strong presence (DSP) (NS) Benjamin Chew, noted National Service Key and Command with the aim of deterring criminal the importance of regular meetings Appointment Holders regularly hold behaviour. If crimes do happen, and with the KINS troopers, and their discussions to devise ways to manage they will, we will investigate the cases active engagement during their recall work process more efficiently. earnestly and take the criminals off periods in motivating them to take

POLICE WEEK 2013

6 (From left) AC Keok Tong San (Commander Ang Mo Kio Division), DSP (NS) Benjamin Chew (CO, Airport KINS), DAC (NS) Lionel Chai (NS Commander, Central Police Division)

National Service Commander, showing in areas such as volunteer the VSC officers in all major ‘A’ Division, Deputy Assistant resource productivity & operational deployments and operations, as well Commissioner (NS) of Police Lionel effectiveness, skills competency (IPPT as the Divisional welfare events. This Chai, hailed the professionalism and shooting), and Professional helped to forge a strong sense of and commitment of this contingent Integrity have landed the Division’s belonging in the VSC officers towards towards National Service for the volunteer corps the Best Volunteer the Division. Award. Special Constabulary (VSC) Unit Award for FY2012 after finishing In addition, discipline was a key Best Volunteer Special second in the competition for five factor in their success. Despite being Constabulary (VSC) Unit years straight. volunteers, they fully understand that it is imperative for them, in a This year, the winner of the Best Their win can be attributed to the regimental unit, to discharge their VSC Unit goes to the VSC unit in strong support from the regular duties with utmost discipline. Bedok Police Division, headed by officers in the Division, who made Superintendent of Police (Supt) a conscientious effort to involve (V) Tham Wai Kee. An excellent

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7 What it means to me to be a Force for the Nation What it means to me to be a Force for the NATION What it means to In celebration of the me to be a Force Police Week 2013, Police Life asks some members for the Nation of the Singapore Police What it means to me to be Force (SPF) “What it “And I ask you, a Force for the Nation means to me to be a every one of you, to What it means to me to be Force for the Nation?” keep faith with our a Force for the Nation honourable mission; What it means to me to stand with me as we to be a Force for By Ms Chew Si Lei Jinnie the Nation What it build a better future means to me to be for our police force, so a Force for the that we can make our Nation What it country, Singapore, means to me to be a Force for the safest place in the the Nation What it means to me world, as only a Force to be a Force for the Nation What for our Nation can.” it means to me to be a Force for the – Commissioner of Police Ng Joo Hee at the Police Workplan Nation What it means to me to be a Force Seminar 2013 for the Nation What it means to me to be a “As a Force for the Nation, we Force for the Nation What it means to me serve and defend not only our to be a Force for the Nation What it means fellow countrymen, but also ourselves and our loved ones.” to me to be a Force for the Nation What it – SC/ Sgt Mikhail Wee means to me to be a Force for the Nation “To me, being a Force for the What it means to me to be a Force for the Nation truly represents how Nation What it means to me to be a Force for everyone in the SPF works as a team, be it directly or indirectly, to the Nation What it means to me to be a Force make Singapore a home we can be for the Nation What it means to me to be a proud of. ” – Ms Shanaz Thoufeekh Force for the Nation What it means to me to be a Force for the Nation What it means to me to be a Force for the Nation What it means to me

POLICE WEEK 2013 to be a Force for the Nation What it means to 8 me to be a Force for the Nation What it means to me to be a Force for the Nation What it means to me to be a Force for the Nation WHAT What it means to me to be a Force for the Nation What it means to me to be a Force for the NATION “Being a Force for the Nation means the “To me, SPF as a Force for the life to me. Although I am in the last lap Nation is empowered to encourage What it means to of my career, I still have the same passion our fellow countrymen to join us in to serve as I did when I joined in March the fight to prevent, detect and deter 1975. The desire to always remain relevant crime.” me to be a Force and valid drives me to give the best of my – Sgt (NS) Faizal Farouk abilities in what has been a remarkable for the Nation and really extraordinary career. I would “Being an officer in the Force for the What it means to me to be definitely not change or wish for a career Nation goes beyond the surface. It other than the one I have proudly lived.” is always worth the effort for every a Force for the Nation – DSP Manjit Singh smile and appreciation that we receive What it means to me to be from the Public. After all, Singapore “To me, to be a Force for the Nation is is our homeland and every obstacle a Force for the Nation to have the ability to provide a safe and that the officers go through, is for the What it means to me secure environment through detection, safety of our loved ones.” deterrence and prevention of crime. – Sgt Muhd Adam to be a Force for A trusted and respectable Force that the Nation What it earns the confidence of the nation on “I feel honoured and proud to be a its reliability in the enforcement of law Force for the Nation, people around means to me to be and order; connects actively with the me always tell me how great an a Force for the community promoting racial harmony; impression they have of the Police. with its officers embracing the high values It compelled me to do even more for Nation What it it espouses.” them.” means to me to be a Force for – SSgt (V) Esther Wong – SC Tan Wen Hao Terry the Nation What it means to me “Being a Force for the Nation is my “Call it unfinished business but to be a Force for the Nation What inspiration and motivation to help coming from a family of three it means to me to be a Force for the keep this Nation safe and sound.” generations of police officers, being – Insp (V) Tan Wee Beng, Daniel a Force for the Nation to me is Nation What it means to me to be a Force continuation of a cycle and a legacy.” for the Nation What it means to me to be a “Being part of a Force for – DSP David Lim Force for the Nation What it means to me the Nation, gives me a sense of social responsibility and “As a police officer, I am honoured to be a Force for the Nation What it means obligation in making a to be part of a dynamic force that has made Singapore one of the safest to me to be a Force for the Nation What it difference to improve the lives of others. As a civilian officer cities in the world. Policing is what I means to me to be a Force for the Nation in the Force, I have always chose to do and essentially to make life better for my family and everyone What it means to me to be a Force for the performed my task with integrity and due diligence. in Singapore. I am positive that we, Nation What it means to me to be a Force for I am honoured to be part of as a Force for the Nation, will make Singapore an even safer home for all the Nation What it means to me to be a Force the Force that safeguards the safety of its citizens and of us.” for the Nation What it means to me to be a stability of the country.” – Insp Hamzah Bin Mohd Hussein Force for the Nation What it means to me to be – Ms Hafizah Bte Zailanee a Force for the Nation What it means to me to be a Force for the Nation What it means to me to be a Force for the Nation What it means to A FORCE FOR THE NATION me to be a Force for the Nation What it means 9 to me to be a Force for the Nation What it means to me to be a Force for the Nation WHAT Parade formed up and ready for inspection

Special Operations Command water cannon drive past

The Parade Singing of the National Anthem By SSgt Edwin Lim Jia Zhong

eld at the Home Team Academy on 3 June 2013, the latest edition of the parade saw Deputy Prime H Minister Teo Chee Hean, Co-ordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, as the reviewing officer. Set against the glowing skies of dusk, 850 participants comprising officers from the various police divisions and units as well as the National Police Cadet Corps marched and sang in the parade segment. About 1,500 Singapore Police Force officers and invited guests attended the event. Police Life brings you the picture highlights. Parade Guard-of-Honours

March past by the Police K9 unit They Prevent. They Deter. They Detect.

By Sgt (NS) Faizal Bin Farouk * Photos By SSgt Edwin Lim jia Zhong & SC Muhammad Idaffi Othman

Community Liaison & Preparedness Team, Serangoon Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) Check out the iPhone/iPad edition of Police Life for their video

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12 In line with Police Week Community Liaison & Preparedness Team, Serangoon Neighbourhood 2013, outstanding teams Police Centre (NPC) from across the Force uture Leaders in You (FLY) have been awarded project, Project Green with the Commissioner F Leaf, Industry On Alert (IOA) - you name it, they’ve done of Police (CP) it. The Community Liaison and Preparedness (CLP) team from the Commendation Award Serangoon NPC is a jack-of-all- for their outstanding trades when it comes to the three key elements of prevention, deterrence performance in 2012. and detection. Police Life sat down One of their most outstanding with three of these Community Safety & Security teams to understand Programmes (CSSP), the FLY project, has produced a bountiful what keeps them going harvest. Their collaboration with for more successes. uniformed groups from secondary schools has resulted in students interacting with the officers on a daily basis.

“The students are even giving us information about vices in their school like who is smoking contraband cigarettes and all that,” shared Senior Staff Sergeant (SSSgt) Wong Yukang.

With the implementation of FLY, cadets from the uniformed groups are given leadership roles in organising crime prevention initiatives with grassroots members and have assisted Police in organising and setting up crime prevention booths at community events. Serangoon NPC has created opportunities for students and their own officers to grow.

It isn’t always so easy though.

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13 Fatal Accident Investigation Team (FAIT), Traffic Police Department (TP)

Sergeant (Sgt) Tay Yu Qiang and modus operandi of criminals. The Fatal Accident Investigation Team Corporal (Cpl) Muhd Iskandar Police presence in the industrial estate (FAIT), Traffic Police Department Zainal shared that when dealing also acts as a deterrence to potential (TP) with youths at risk in Project Green criminals within the industrial park. Leaf, parents and schools are often Previously recognised as the reluctant to acknowledge that their Juggling these responsibilities on Specialist Major Team, the FAIT students are at risk or even potential top of daily policing duties, is a was formed in 2004. FAIT is, delinquents. tough act. Staff Sergeant (W/SSgt) as mentioned by Senior Station Patriciapal Kaur, however, mentioned Inspector (SSI) Mohd Jamal The IOA is another CSSP project that the passion and drive that the Marzuki, the “cream of the crop” of to educate foreign workers in the officers in the Serangoon CLP team the investigation team in TP. They Ang Mo Kio industrial park. It possess spur them on to do their best have handled cases of fatal, hit-and- equipped the workers with basic each time. Kudos to the CLP team run and high profile road traffic crime prevention skills such as officers as they rotate their duties accidents. spotting a suspicious person and the willingly!

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14 Celebrating Operational Excellence

Some examples include the accident Exceptionally outstanding Challenges Faced involving the Romanian Diplomat teams are also recognised with Since the theft took place in- on 15 December 2009 and the the Minister for Home Affairs flight, it was not feasible for triple-fatality case at the junction of Operational Excellence Award. APD to deploy officers on Victoria Street involving a 30-year- During the last ceremony every flight from Hong Kong. old Ferrari driver, 41-year-old taxi held at Home Team Academy Not only would this be costly, passenger and 52-year-old taxi driver. on 21 November 2012, 102 it would also require too much teams from various Home manpower to cover all flights. When asked about the most Team departments received Many officers were also challenging task when investigating the award from Mr Masagos involved in tracking down the fatal traffic accident cases, FAIT’s Zulkifli Masagos Mohamad, culprits’ details from the long Officer In-charge, Inspector (Insp) Senior Minister of State for list of travellers in the various Clement Tan Chee Sing, stated Home and Foreign Affairs, flights to identify suspects with that the hardest part of the job is for demonstrating excellence similar travelling pattern. to convey the unfortunate news to in their respective operations. the bereaved next-of-kin or family Here are two outstanding Overcoming Challenges via members. It is not always an easy operations by the Singapore Community Policing task. Officers have to be empathetic Police Force (SPF). The uniqueness of this and must possess strong emotional operation was that officers from resilience. APD engaged the SIA cabin Operation Hawkeye crews to detect, question and One significant case was apparently finally establish enough facts still lingering in their hearts and New Crime Pattern for the culprits to be handed minds when Insp Tan and SSI Mohd Between March and April over to APD upon arrival in Jamal recollected the team’s efforts. 2012, the Airport Police Singapore. On 13 June 2011, a toddler was killed Division (APD) detected a by his mother as she reversed her new crime pattern happening The cabin crews were given car at their home in Jalan Binchang, on-board Singapore Airlines guidance by the APD officers Bishan. The unfortunate housewife (SIA) flights. Plane passengers to detect these culprits did not see her son, who was playing were losing cash, varying through behavioural patterns at the front gate, and ran him over. from hundreds to thousands even before boarding the of dollars, during their flight. plane, observe their hand- To solve this case, the FAIT APD’s investigations showed carried bags, and follow their collaborated with the Health Sciences that the culprits, who were movements in the plane to Authority (HSA) to determine the from Henan province in , ensure that they are caught important factor of blind spot. bought plane tickets from when they try to open another This blind spot factor which the Hong Kong to other Asian person’s bag. HSA provided expertise on was an countries, transiting briefly in important factor that resulted in Singapore. The culprits only Assistant Superintendent of the mother not being charged with spent a few hours in their Police Patrick Lim proudly causing death by a rash and negligent destination before travelling iterated, “this tag-team act. By taking the initiative to acquire back to Hong Kong after the worked very efficiently, with all the expertise of the HSA, they successful theft operations. information derived from the addressed this case to the Attorney- investigations being shared with General’s Chambers. A decision airline managers.” was then made not to prosecute the

mother. By SC Muhammad Idaffi Othman Continued on page 17

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15 General Fraud Branch (GFB), Commercial Affairs Department (CAD)

The GFB ensures that criminals do General Fraud Branch (GFB), not have access to fast, easy and dirty Not only does the team fulfil the Commercial Affairs Department money. The 13-men team headed mission of the Force by preventing (CAD) by Superintendent of Police (Supt) and detecting crimes, specifically Triana Ridwen is stamping their anti- fraud, they do their part in deterring Phantom passengers, false insurance fraud authority. such acts through several outreach claims and staged accidents. These programmes. An example is how are terms associated with elaborate As most of their investigations can they collaborated with remittance and complex motor insurance fraud. possibly stretch to more than a year, agents and financial institutions. To add to the mix, Automated the GFB officers collectively agreed They took the initiative to conduct Teller Machine (ATM) skimming that teamwork is crucial and that it courses and talks with the staff from cases, lottery or lucky draw scams, helps when all officers look at one these agencies so that the staff would transnational scams are also under case as a unit. They work by the be trained to detect tell-tale signs the GFB’s purview. motto “An officer’s weakness can be of cheats. This has helped in many covered by another officer’s strength.” ways as there were cases where eagle-

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16 Celebrating Operational Excellence eyed remittance staff saved misled Success of this Tag-team Overcoming Problems individuals thousands of dollars, This collaboration between The officers’ dogged just before they were about to remit APD and the SIA cabin crews perseverance resulted in only money to overseas cheats. bore fruitful results. All four three days taken to review the culprits, believed to be a part numerous CCTV footages, A case that the GFB can vividly of a syndicate, were caught red- interview the present staff as remember was the case involving handed by the cabin crews. well as combing a list of past Phang Choon Meng. Phang was the Such hand-in-hand co- staff of the entertainment club. mastermind of a motor insurance operation with external racket. He tried to claim nearly agencies could accelerate the Success of the Operation $96,000 in compensation for staged time taken to bring culprits to On 13 January 2012, the traffic accidents. Phang was jailed for justice. officers got a breakthrough. 27 months, thanks to the team which They managed to identify the persevered for about 32 months to Operation Hollywood getaway van that was used crack the case. This goes to show Heist by the suspects. The driver the complexity of a single case and three other Chinese men where investigation can branch out involved, were subsequently Crime Pattern to numerous leads, requiring to be convicted of Housebreaking On 9 January 2012, officers addressed. And Theft By Day. from

were alerted to a case of Supt Triana and her team took the “The solution of this case is Housebreaking And Theft By opportunity to remind readers “If the testament to a well-coordinated Day at an entertainment outlet deal you are offered is too good to be effort of the various police at River Valley Road. Two safes true, it probably isn’t true.” units, each excelling in its area containing cash and valuables of expertise,” said Senior Staff worth $79,120 were carted away Police Life congratulates all recipients Sergeant Edwin Choong. about an hour before midnight. of the CP’s Commendation Awards. May the award be an inspiration for There is no doubt that the Challenge Faced others to excel in their respective three pillars of crime-solving Investigations revealed that areas of work. - Forensic, Investigation and the culprits were former Intelligence - resulted in the staff of the club. They were expeditious solving of this extremely skilled in covering case. The officers involved their tracks and knew how to had displayed a high level carry out their mission swiftly of passion, tenacity and GFB’s motto: yet cautiously. This posed a commitment. Well done! great challenge to the officers “An officer’s in getting on-site clues like weakness can fingerprint marks. The only way to capture the be covered culprits was to identify their getaway vehicle and identify by another the driver from the vehicle officer’s registration number. strength.”

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17 (From left) Station Inspector Jasfrey Choy, Sergeant Tan Siow Peng (with earpiece linked to a walkie-talkie) and Station Inspector Adrian Chua (armed with a Heckler and Koch USP 9MM compact pistol).

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18 Master of Chaos Source: The Sunday Times, 10 March 2013. Reproduced with Permission

Deep within the Singapore Police Force are select groups of men and women trained to handle high-risk operations such as hostage rescue, counterterrorism and VIP protection. This week, The Sunday Times finds out what it takes to be an officer in the Police Security Command, an elite unit of handpicked officers assigned to protect the President, ministers and other VIPs.

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19 tation Inspector Adrian dinner or grassroots events. between a VIP and a bullet or Chua knows every move attacker. that the minister he is At formal dos, they are usually assigned to protect makes, dressed in standard-issue suits made This means they have done their or is about to make, when with more give around the waist, to jobs well, said SecCom officers The She is having a good or bad day, and accommodate their service pistols Sunday Times spoke to in a rare even his shoe size. and other tools of the trade, which interview with the media recently. hang off their belts. The 32-year-old says that as an officer Although it is their duty to sacrifice with the Police Security Command To make sure they can fight just as their lives for the people they protect, (SecCom), it is imperative, even well no matter what they wear, the it is also their responsibility to ensure inevitable, that he learns the smallest officers train in all their different get- it never comes to that. details of his protectee. ups regularly. “We will take a bullet if we have to At public events, he looks to these Aside from being on personal but prevention is our main job,” said little details, like a furrowed brow or protection duty, training takes up Sergeant Tan Siow Peng, 25, who has a flinch, to decide when he should most of a SecCom officer’s day been with SecCom for two years. step in to disengage a handshake at work. Whenever they are not from an over-zealous constituent or accompanying VIPs, they are at the Before their protectees go anywhere, even steer the VIP away. gym, practising close combat martial SecCom officers will be busy making arts in a dojo, or running. sure the places they are heading to Otherwise, he keeps mostly in the are swept for bombs and bugging shadows, close enough to act when These officers also go through devices. called upon but never obtrusive. hundreds of hours of training at the shooting range in their Toa Payoh Major public events where many Station Inspector Francis Joseph, headquarters to maintain their VIPs turn up at the same time present 58, who has been in the job for 30 marksmanship skills. the biggest security risks, said Deputy years, sums it up as such: “We have to Superintendent David Lim, SecCom decide how best we can perform daily Aside from the physical drills, head of planning and organisational while still allowing the VIP to meet SecCom officers also go through development. For the National Day residents and the electorate.” deportment and dining etiquette Parade, for example, they will have classes. While their counterparts in to secure the viewing gallery and also The two officers are among more other elite units are training to use check surrounding buildings for open than 300 from the unit, handpicked lethal weapons, they are learning windows where snipers may hide, and to protect Cabinet ministers and which knife to use for buttering plan evacuation routes in case there is visiting foreign dignitaries. bread, and which to use for cutting a a need to escape. piece of steak. It is a task that requires a delicate Last September, they worked closely balance between being protective and “We act like a model, and fight like a with the security detail of the Duke not overly aggressive, they say. warrior,” quipped Station Inspector and Duchess of Cambridge, when Chua, a nine-year veteran of the unit. Prince William and his wife Catherine “We need to be firm to protect them, “Soft skills are important because we visited. but we also need to care about their need to blend in and be presentable.” image,” said Station Inspector Jasfrey SecCom officers also evaluate any Choy, 40, who has been with SecCom But a typical officer with the unit e-mail and online threats addressed to for 17 years. would already have passed through their protectees, working closely with rounds of physical fitness and the Internal Security Department and This is partly why these officers leave psychometric tests before being the Police Intelligence Department to their police uniforms at home and selected for SecCom training. investigate such cases. report for duty in civilian attire. It allows them to blend in better with None of them, however, has had After the Sept 11 terror attacks in the crowd, whether at a black-tie to draw his gun or throw his body 2001, some of the officers have also

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20 My safety was their mission taken on the roles of “This way, ma’am,” said the female I was treated to a full VIP motorcade air marshals. They are officer from the Police Security consisting of five cars and two police sent incognito on flights Command (SecCom). motorcycles. operated by local airlines, to prevent similar attacks. I was not expecting it at the time, but A SecCom counter-assault team rode in what followed those three words were 90 a sport utility vehicle (SUV) directly in But it is hard not to notice seconds of heart-thumping, frantic action front of the lead car. Behind it was my them at public functions. as I played the role of a protectee in a “VIP car”, followed by a back-up vehicle Often, they are given away SecCom training drill. and another SUV carrying a second by the earpieces they wear counter-assault team. as they scan the crowd I remember walking into an open hall to spot gatecrashers and with my “bodyguards” from the unit, The cars kept close together, ensuring potential troublemakers. when a “gunman” appeared wanting to the convoy was not broken up, and assassinate me. Everything went by in a their occupants communicated with flash in the next minute or so as my detail one another through their near-invisible Despite the many hours of SecCom officers – including the female earpieces. that he has to stay alert, – formed a protective ring around me. Station Inspector Chua The devices, which give the men and finds the job challenging I did not even get a glimpse of the women of the unit an air of secrecy, but interesting. The most shooter during the commotion as I help to keep the whole detail connected stressful task, in fact, is was literally whisked off my feet by the wherever its members are. when he is sitting down at officers and brought into the safety of a a table full of VIPs, eating room. The scenario I was put through, while with them during official exciting and a first for me, was the kind functions. I learnt later that we were there to of controlled chaos that SecCom officers regroup as the officers prepared an spend years perfecting. “I do feel stressed during evacuation plan, which did not take long. those moments, and What seemed like a blur of activity I can’t eat much,” he Just seconds later, I was rushed out again, was actually precise, calculated and quipped. this time down two flights of stairs at coordinated moves by the elite officers lightning speed. entrusted with the safety of, among others, the President, ministers, visiting Even at that pace, the SecCom officers heads of state and other diplomatic VIPs. Reporter Jalelah Abu Baker, were mindful of my safety, careful that I acting as a VIP, being whisked did not trip or fall along the way. The simulation exercise played out too away from danger by Police fast for me to register exactly what was Security Command officers Steps were pointed out, as were algae going on. during a training drill. spots that were potentially slippery. I was told later that if I fell and hurt myself But behind their dark sunglasses, which or was immobilised, the entire mission are in fact protective eyewear in the event initiative would have to be altered. of a shooting, the officers are always alert, scanning the crowd for threats. I was more or less shoved into a white There is never a dull moment. getaway car, with my personal SecCom officer close behind, before we sped off. They see what others do not see, and hear what others do not hear, but the focus of The journey from the SecCom their mission is never lost for these men headquarters in Toa Payoh to the Old and women from SecCom. Police Academy in Mount Pleasant Road, where the officers’ training facilities are As Sergeant Tan Siow Peng, 25, puts it: located, was not an ordinary one. “The VIP’s safety before ours, always. That’s our mission.”

A FORCE FOR THE NATION

21 Geared Up To Act and Protect Source: The Sunday Times, 3 March 2013. Reproduced with Permission

Deep within the Singapore Police Force are small groups of men and women trained to handle high-risk operations like counter-terrorism, hostage-rescue and intercepting smugglers at sea. The Sunday Times looks inside the Special Task Squadron, to find out what it takes to be an elite officer from the .

POLICE WEEK 2013

22 t is no secret that police how well I can remember things,” Like the police Special Tactics and officers who volunteer for said a 31-year-old sergeant who has Rescue (STAR) unit, selection for the Special Task Squadron been with the unit for five years. “But the STS is said to involve a myriad (STS) are expected to be after I became a member of the STS, of physical and mental challenges ultra-fit, strong swimmers I realised that our missions often designed to push candidates to their and sharpshooters. require us to remember certain details limits. I of the operation or description of Most who apply to join the unit, suspects... after we are physically Training involves long-distance which was set up within the Police taxed.” swimming and running, sometimes Coast Guard (PCG) to intercept while hauling a stretcher, as well as intruders at sea, would already have The sergeant, like all members of the memory drills, similar to the ones those boxes checked. squadron, cannot be named because used during selection. of the nature of their duties. But a fair share of the candidates, Besides being physically and mentally who hail from different divisions in The STS was set up under a cloak of sharp, squadron members are also the Singapore Police Force, would secrecy in 1994 to intercept smugglers highly adept at shooting at moving stumble during selection because of a and illegal immigrants. But like targets from speedboats bouncing memory test. most other elite police units, it has over choppy waters. expanded its scope of operations to Details of the test, along with the include counter-terrorism since the In January, the STS took The Sunday selection process for the STS, are Sept 11 attacks in the Times team out to sea in one of its classified but The Sunday Times in 2001. PK Class speedboats – which can understands it is designed to identify reach a maximum speed of about 50 men who have an ability to remember Squadron members are trained to knots – to observe a training exercise. details while under stress. use deadly force to protect Singapore waters. But veterans say a keen Five squadron members, comprising The test involves memorising a knowledge of various elements at sea a radar operator, lookout, gunner, body of text and details such as the is what keeps them and people on captain and coxswain, set out on the names and positions of various items other vessels safe when they are out interceptor craft. placed on the ground. In real-world executing high-risk operations. operations, these may be locations of Once at sea, they spot a suspicious buoys, popular fishing areas, shipping This includes understanding sea vessel speeding towards land and give lanes and routes used by smugglers conditions and what lies on the chase. at sea. waters around the the island state. The gunner fires a flare as a warning To simulate mission fatigue, the An in-depth knowledge of to stop but when the intruders’ vessel candidates are made to run up stairs Singapore’s waters will help STS continues on its path, the expert or sprint a short distance after they officers, who have to make split- marksman takes aim and fires at the receive the information that they need second decisions when in pursuit of offending vessel’s “engine”, marked to memorise and recall. intruders at sea, often in the dark. by a barrel, hitting it spot-on from They say these suspects, who usually about 3m despite travelling at over 45 A candidate repeats the drill if he travel in dimly-lit speedboats at night, knots. makes even a single mistake and has have nothing to lose. only 30 minutes to successfully pass “This is a fast-paced job and the test. “During a chase, they sometimes operations are never the same, so lead our boats into areas where there our training needs to mimic that,” The drill, said squadron members, are civilian vessels or obstacles such said a 34-year-old squadron member not only sharpens their memory but as a kelong or a water buoy,” said a who has been with the STS for seven also builds up their resilience, which squadron member. years. would allow them to think clearly under pressure. “This not only puts us at risk of a To be effective against smugglers and collision but also endangers the lives terrorists, the STS will need to remain “When I was going through selection, of others, which is why it is critical at the sharp end of the spear. That, I thought this test was just to see for us to know the terrain.” however, does not mean the squadron

A FORCE FOR THE NATION

23 A gunner from the Special Task Squadron taking out the “engine” of a vessel that is speeding towards land as part of a simulation exercise

POLICE WEEK 2013

24 is prepared to throw caution to the wind and take the safety of its men The Special Task and civilians for granted, he added. Squadron “A high-speed chase in open water is very dangerous, especially when we PAST OPERATIONS need to get close enough to trigger a ‘reaction’ from the intruder without Late 2012: The STS laid crashing into him.” an ambush for four illegal immigrants who were waiting The tactic, called ‘clipping’, involves under a flyover at Pandan using STS speedboats to knock the River for a boat to pick stern of intruder boats at high speed them up, so they could leave to disable their outboard engines. Singapore.

Usually, clipping is attempted only When the boat arrived, STS after a suspect ignores repeated police officers closed in and arrested warnings to stop, and it becomes even the illegal immigrants without more dangerous when the chase is firing a shot. conducted at high speed at night, or when the intruding boat travels in a April 2010: Three illegal zig-zag fashion in a bid to evade the immigrants were nabbed at STS. a reclamation area in Tuas after STS officers, who were The squadron came under the media positioned at a few strategic glare in 2007, after a high-speed points, used an entangler to chase of a boat carrying six illegal disrupt the boat’s propeller to immigrants ended in a collision that stop them from fleeing. left two of its officers dead. Of the six illegals, three were rescued, one April 2007: STS officers were found dead, and the remaining two, in pursuit of a boat carrying unaccounted for. six illegal immigrants in the sea off Tuas. They had attempted The squadron’s 41-year-old to “clip” the offending vessel commanding officer, who spoke but it resulted in a collision, to The Sunday Times in a rare and both boats capsized. As interview recently, said the STS never a result, two STS officers, compromises on the lives of its men who were trapped in their or members of the public. In fact, speedboat, died. safety remains a key pillar of the squadron’s training doctrine today. March 2004: The STS captured one of three armed robbers in Referring to the 2007 incident, the one of the most high-profile Deputy Superintendent of Police said: cases in its history. The fugitive had evaded capture by more “ We have to recognise that than 700 members of the it’s been over five years... police and army involved in the but we have evolved. We go manhunt. out together for a mission, STS officers, however, managed we come back together.” to nabbed the suspect in Pulau with Permission 2013. Reproduced 3 March The Sunday Times, Source: Tekong after two days.

Check out the iPhone/iPad edition of Police Life for more photos A FORCE FOR THE NATION

25 COPS: Knowing Their Neighbourhood Inside Out By Charissa Tan, Home Team News * Photos By Cheryl Low, Home Team News

Singapore Police Force (SPF) Officers Station Inspector (SI) Mohamad Shafiee(above right) and his partner Corporal (Cpl) Muhammad Khairuddin Bin Alias (above left) are a welcome sight in the Tampines Central neighbourhood.

POLICE WEEK 2013

26 earing polo patrol team out, SI Shafiee and his the routine he enjoys. shirts, shorts partner were speaking to the shop and black owners at Tampines Central to better “We old people don’t know anything! sports shoes, understand if they had any security But when these Police officers come the two concerns, and gather their contact around, we feel very comforted officers often details. especially when they ask after us and Wdraw curious stares from many. interact with us,” shared Mdm Lua “This database of contacts would Quee Eng, 83, who lives alone with a Unlike other passers-by who come in really handy should there domestic helper in the area. sidestepped the duo, 58-year-old be an emergency such as a fire or Madam Judy Toh welcomed them burglary in the middle of the night,” Laughter and friendly reminders excitedly into the traditional Chinese said SI Shafiee. to lock the front gates and doors medicine shop where she works at. echoed through the corridors as SSgt “In a previous emergency that Toh and his partner Cpl Haris Bin “I see the Police officers patrolling happened in the wee hours of Sidik made their way down from the this neighbourhood often. It is really the morning, we had difficulty top floor of the residential housing good that the officers come around establishing the owner of a particular blocks. frequently. They are able to assist shop and were not able to enter the residents on the spot when they need shop to find out more. It really took As part of his community help,” shared the shop supervisor. up a lot more time in settling the case. engagement and due to his bond with Hopefully, this initiative to gather the residents of the block, SSgt Toh “I’ve expressed my frustration to the contacts will help this problem.” also works closely with the elder-care officers about many cyclists speeding centre, EverGreen Circle. past our shop front without stopping, As part of the new community especially in the mornings. It’s really policing initiative, both officers SSgt Toh shared: dangerous as there are quite a few regularly attend the monthly elderly passers-by,” she added. Residents and Neighbourhood “It’s important to get to Committee meeting of the different know the community and “Thankfully, the situation has housing estates within Tampines improved since (the increase in Central. work with them, so that officers patrolling the area), and the they also have a sense cyclists tend to slow down, get off During the meetings, the their bicycles and walk, or avoid the Committee members also bring up of ownership of keeping shop fronts totally now.” any issues related to the safety and their neighbourhood safe security of the housing estates. As part of the Community Policing and secure.” Unit (CPU) under the Community This approach helps to deter and Policing System (COPS) which was detect criminal conduct much faster “Should there be crime cases or launched on 20 May 2012, SI Shafiee than before. issues, the residents would hence and his partner perform their daily be more forthcoming in providing rounds on foot around shop-houses For CPU officer Staff Sergeant (SSgt) information and assistance.” to engage the various stakeholders in Toh Wee Boon, having had 10 years the area, such as the shop owners. with the Tampines NPC has helped Mdm Lua also agreed that for elderly him build strong rapport with the residents, the increase of engagement CPU officers are assigned to residents of the area, especially the by Police officers is necessary. specific neighbourhoods and will elderly residents in the area. conduct foot and bicycle patrols to “There is a sense of security when cultivate closer and more extensive Going from door to door to they are around more, and as we relationships with community introduce the new COPS system and (elderly residents) frequently go to the stakeholders. the new uniform, while handing out centre for assistance, it’s heartening pamphlets with emergency contact to know that the officers work closely When Home Team News sought the numbers to older residents, is part of with them.”

A FORCE FOR THE NATION

27 Ready for the Future By SC Muhammad Alif Bin Sapuan * Photos by Sgt Chee Yong Tat

Mr S Iswaran, Minister In Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister For Home Affairs And Trade & Industry, outlined three broad thrusts that the Singapore Police Force (SPF) will adopt in response to the increasingly challenging operating environment, in his keynote address at the Annual Police Workplan Seminar.

POLICE WEEK 2013

28 irstly, the Police will Objects concealed on the body will continue to leverage appear as yellow marks on the screen. on technology to boost SPF’s operational 3D Laser Scanner by the Criminal F effectiveness. Investigation Department Redesigned Neighbourhood Police The 3D laser scanner is a newly Posts (NPPs) delivering automated acquired equipment that is used services round the clock, leveraging to assist crime scene specialists in heavily on technology will be piloted documenting scenes of crime. It takes at Marsiling, Radin Mas and West a few minutes for the scene to be Coast in the second half of 2013. scanned and it preserves the crime scene in 3D exactly the way it is. Secondly, the SPF will enhance its operational capabilities by investing With the ability to change the unit in officers and capabilities. A new measurement settings for distance, Police Divisional Headquarters the scanner provides accurate in Woodlands will be established measurement. This helps the in the next five years. Two new investigators to revisit the scene and Neighbourhood Police Centres carry out post-scene analysis and (NPCs) will also be established crime scene reconstruction. in Geylang and Bartley. The Community Policing System (COPS) Also, it works in all conditions – will also be rolled out at , daylight or complete darkness, rain Choa Chu Kang, Geylang, Hougang, or shine. Pasir Ris and Toa Payoh NPCs by the end of 2013. Hawk Eye Remote Observatory System (HEROS) Camera by Lastly, community engagement Operations Department and partnership will be further strengthened so that the community With a zoom in function of up to can play an active role in keeping more than 60 times,the HEROS their neighbourhoods safe and secure. camera is mounted on tall buildings Timely information on crime trends in city areas – where major meetings will be shared via Police’s mobile and events occur. The images applications and Facebook page. captured, such as a person’s facial features or a car plate number, are Highlights on Workplan crystal clear. Seminar exhibits HEROS camera also has the capability of panning, tilting and Body Scanners by the Airport Police zooming up to 800 metres. It will Division (APD) complement the existing Public Camera Zone cameras installed Mr Iswaran The body scanner introduced by the and Deputy island-wide. Commissioner of APD will assist security screeners Police Mr T. Raja to identify and locate threat items Kumar being briefed concealed on the passengers’ body. on the 3D laser scanner

A FORCE FOR THE NATION

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