A/Insp Adrian Lim takes us down the road less travelled as an IO with the Traffic Police.
By: Amanda Wong
Regarded as guardians of the road, TP officers not only enforce road traffic rules and uphold road safety, but they also bring closure to victims and families involved in traffic accidents. In this interview, Acting Inspector (A/Insp) Adrian Lim shares the lessons gleaned from his work as a TP Investigation Officer (IO).
Tell us about yourself.
I’m A/Insp Adrian Lim and I’ve been with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for 16 years. I started out as a Full-time Police National Service officer in 2005. A year later, I signed on as a regular officer and was posted to the TP Patrol Unit. I was posted as an IO in the General Investigation Team in 2011, and subsequently became a Senior IO at the Fatal Accident Investigation Team. One of my main duties is to investigate traffic accidents involving fatalities.
What was your initial impression of the work of IOs?
I had a glamourised impression that being an IO would be akin to a Sherlock Holmes movie, uncovering mysteries alone and gaining recognition for our good detective skills.
However, after joining the SPF, I learnt that being an IO is not a one-man job and that many hands have to work together to solve a case. Moreover, I realised that while the role of an IO is indeed meaningful, it’s not exempt from challenges.
The most fulfilling thing about being an IO is being able to solve a complicated case and deliver justice for victims, especially for accidents caused by traffic violations. Helping families find closure brings meaning and fulfilment to the work I do, and motivates me to give my best.
How has your experience as an IO been so far?
It has been an eye-opening experience. I have to remind myself frequently to keep an open mind and to conduct thorough investigations to uncover the truth.
The exposure that I’ve gained throughout my journey as an IO can neither be learnt in a classroom nor experienced in the corporate world. I’m grateful for the opportunities that being an IO has given me.
What are the challenges you face as a TP IO?
Some of the injuries sustained by victims can be fatal and I had a hard time accepting that life can be so fragile at first. Over time, I’ve learnt to become mentally stronger when working on such cases.
Another challenging part of the job involves breaking the news of a serious injury or death to family members. As the father of a young child myself, I can understand their pain when receiving such news, and I try to be as sensitive and empathetic as possible.
For one case I attended to, the family of the deceased victim had turned up at the accident site. The victim’s brother kept shouting at the driver who had caused the accident. I had to calm the brother down and offer comfort to the distraught family members so that the situation wouldn’t escalate.
Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at the start of your IO career?
The cases that we handle require a great deal of perseverance, mental and physical resilience. I’d encourage myself to not give up in the pursuit of justice and persevere throughout my journey as an IO.
What have you learnt from your IO journey?
Besides possessing investigative knowledge, hard skills, and a commitment to seeking the truth, it’s crucial for an IO to have empathy and be able to relate to people. Being part of a team that handles a high volume of cases requires good teamwork and strong working relationships. Every officer has a vital part to play in the team’s operation and overall success.
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