A Police Force in Unison The Parts that Make The Whole VOLUME 40 NO. 5 A FORCE FOR THE NATION 02 POLICE LIFE POLICE LIFE 03 CONTENTS AND 03 04 06 56 and The Cream The Pride COUNTING… Counting... of the Crop and Honour The Singapore Police Force held its first public Police Review at the Padang on 12 July 1958. Fifty-six years on, the Annual Police Review has evolved into the Police Day Parade. Through almost 07 08 10 90 minutes of parade inspection, awards Women Can A Police Force Memories of presentation, reciting the Police Pledge, Police Week Be Strong in Unison and a post parade music and dance segment, the Police reaffirm their core values of Courage, Loyalty, Fairness and 56 Integrity, and re-dedicate themselves to the service of the nation. 11 12 14 Decoding the The Parts that They Protect Police DNA Make The Whole Our People, Our Homes, and Our Communities. FOREWORD COMMITTEE “We pledge to uphold the law, to protect life and property, to prevent Editorial Advisor AC Melvin Yong and detect crime.” This is the pledge that my fellow officers and I recite when we first joined the Singapore Police Force. Chief Editors DAC Tan Tin Wee In June each year, the Force reaffirms our dedication to our pledge DAC Poh Lye Hin and our mission through three significant events. Senior Editor Ms Leena Rajan The main event is the Police Day Parade, where we honour our past and rededicate ourselves to the service of the nation. Editor Ms Tham Yee Lin Individual officers get a pat on the back for their good work during the Commissioner of Police’s Commendation Ceremony and we Journalists thank our community partners and stakeholders at the Annual SSgt Edwin Lim Jia Zhong Ms Chew Si Lei Jinnie Police Dinner. SC/Cpl Muhammad Alif Bin Sapuan SC Mok Wen Jie As the organising chairman for this year’s Annual Police Dinner, I am eager to see our guests’ response to the programme specially Photographers SSgt Chee Yong Tat AC Melvin Yong arranged for them. Editorial Advisor SSgt Edwin Lim Jia Zhong Police Life SC Mok Wen Jie Similarly, I am excited about my new role as editorial advisor to the Police Life team. We have put together highlights from this year’s Design and Production Redbean De Pte Ltd Parade, interviewed several officers about how they safeguard every day and take a quick look at the Force’s workplan for the year. Police Life is committed to sharing with you a different and lesser known side of the Police. I hope you find this an informative and entertaining read. Police Life is a publication of the Singapore Police Force. For feedback or enquiries, please write to the editorial team at [email protected]. The materials in this publication are not to be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the Editorial Committee. All rights reserved. Whilst we tried to ensure that information provided Home Team News is up-to-date and accurate, the publisher will not be responsible for any errors or omissions. facebook.com/singaporepoliceforce twitter.com/singaporepolice youtube.com/spfcommunityoutreach Police@SG iPhone / Android App www.police.gov.sg 04 POLICE LIFE POLICE LIFE 05 THE CREAM OF THE CROP By SSgt Edwin Lim Jia Zhong The annual Police Week “ e are the best land division for this year, bring it down further. So I’m very proud of my officers but we should not rest on our laurels,” to have achieved this,” said Commander (Covering) celebrations recognise the hard said then-Commander of Ang Mo Kio of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Superintendent of work, commitment and sacrifices WPolice Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Police (Supt) Leon Chan. Keok Tong San, after his division won the Best Land Police Officers put in to ensure “I also want to applaud the strong community Division title last year. that Singapore is safe. At the partnerships that we have with all members of the Police Day Parade, awards are Indeed, the division did not, and their efforts have population covered under the Division. They have earned them a second consecutive Best Land been helping us reduce crime. The effort is not from presented to the best performing Division title. This is the first time in the division’s 49- a single person or party but all of us working together units. Police Life finds out what year history that they have won back-to-back titles. to achieve the award,” Supt Chan added. makes these units tick. “It is not an easy achievement. If you have good successes in bringing crime down, it’s even harder to WHAT LED TO OUR WIN OFFICERS’ THOUGHTS AND WISHES I always emphasise to my officers that the involvement of the community in the fight against crime is effective in preventing, deterring and detecting crime. This has been proven true by the lower overall crime rate achieved by the division in 2013. I strongly believe this was one of the key things that contributed to the title win. Best Volunteer Deputy Superintendent of Police Tan Boon Heng Best National Service Operationally Special Constabulary AWARDS Commanding Officer, Ang Mo Kio South Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) Ready (NSOR) Unit (VSC) Unit VSC officers are our true real life superheroes where My utmost concern is fighting crime and serving justice to our Ang Mo Kio Police Division was not the only one they hold regular day jobs but don the police blue after Best Land Division walking away from this year’s competition with back-to- residents. I have to ensure that the person who committed an office hours. In this year’s competition, the VSC unit Competition back titles. Central Police Division’s National Service from Bedok Police Division came out tops to win the 1 Ang Mo Kio Police Division offence is convicted in court accordingly. At the end of the day, the Operationally Ready Unit retained their title after yet Best VSC Unit title. residents are our customers. We do all that is necessary, to ensure another outstanding year by their officers. 2 Clementi Police Division Bedok Police Division VSC officers have shown 3 Central Police Division “The clarity of mission and purpose was a major commitment, performing above the average of that we secure the necessary conviction for the accused person. factor in our NS Contingent’s drive towards 40 hours per officer per month Force-wide. They operational readiness and administrative excellence. Best National Service Staff Sergeant Johnny Neo Dong Chun contributed in both operational duties and major The alignment of shared vision to be the leading NS Investigation Officer, Investigation Branch events support. These events include the National Operationally Ready Unit outfit enabled us to work towards a common goal,” Day Parade (NDP), Formula One (F1) Night Race 1 Central Police Division said National Service (NS) Commander, Deputy and the Singapore Airshow. 2 Clementi Police Division and I’ve been in Ang Mo Kio Police Division for 12 years and am Assistant Commissioner of Police (DAC) (NS) Lionel Ang Mo Kio Police Division Chai Yee Yuan. Head VSC, Bedok Police Division, Supt (V) Tham Wai proud that the division has won this title for the second time (joint runners-up) Kee said, “I’m grateful to every VSC officer of Bedok “The strong tripartite bond among the regular police straight. What we can contribute from the intelligence front is Police Division who has sacrificed personal and officers, Volunteer Special Constabulary and NS family time to achieve the high standards required Best Voluntary Special to support the NPCs and Investigation Branch on the analytical forces in Central Police Division allows us to support of them. VSC officers contribute diligently to frontline Constabulary Unit operations closely and handle issues encountered and major events support. This award also goes to reports to alert our officers to prone areas of crime. We look promptly and effectively. I see these important factors 1 Bedok Police Division the families of our officers who continue to support as the ingredients that allowed us to deliver the forward to working harder and striving better for the unit. our mission to keep Singapore safe and secure. 2 Clementi Police Division results,” DAC (NS) Chai added. Finally, the recognition by our Regular counterparts 3 Central Police Division Miss Nur Ashikin Jumali will continue to motivate us to perform these duties.” Collator, Divisional Intelligence Branch SSgt Edwin Lim Jia Zhong and SC Mok Wen Jie 06 POLICE LIFE POLICE LIFE 07 THE VOICES FROM THE BLUE By SC/Cpl Muhammad Alif Bin Sapuan PRIDEAND HONOURThey come from different units but feel one thing in common – proud and honoured to be part of the Police Day Parade (PDP). WOMEN CAN BE STRONG By SC/Cpl Muhammad Alif Bin Sapuan Following the footsteps of her father, Inspired by “There was someone who told me that I Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Teo Hong Ling her father’s experiences was too skinny to handle a larger-sized Labrador. But previously, I had two big dogs joined the Police Force in August 2009. ince she was a young girl, SSgt Teo’s father shared his policing and I did not have problems at all!” she This tall and slim officer may be soft- experiences with her and her brother. exclaimed. To SSgt Teo, it is the technique spoken but she is far from being soft. SRecounting one of her father’s stories and skills that you have which ensures that Proud to be a Woman A Reminder of her Resolve Contributing to the Parade enthusiastically, SSgt Teo said, “While on the dogs obey your instructions.