Meet Sgt Balpreet Kaur, a GRF officer who responds to “999” calls and patrols the neighbourhood to keep our community safe!
By: Domnic Dass
Ground Response Force (GRF) officers are our dedicated frontliners in the Singapore Police Force (SPF)! Besides serving as first responders to “999” emergency calls, they also perform a range of vital duties such as patrolling neighbourhoods and public areas to project Police presence, supporting victims of crime and providing security for major public events.
Every single day, GRF officers give their utmost effort in the pursuit of preventing, deterring and detecting crime, going the distance to keep Singapore safe and secure.
Meet one exemplary officer, Sergeant (Sgt) Balpreet Kaur, a GRF officer with Bukit Merah West Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC).
What are your primary roles and responsibilities?
As a GRF officer, I play a vital role in crime prevention, deterrence and detection through patrols, swift emergency response, and providing assistance to members of the public when they require Police’s assistance. I also perform counter duties by assisting members of the public in filing reports at the NPC.
What inspired you to become a Police officer, and can you share your experience in the SPF thus far?
In my teens, I witnessed a loanshark harassment incident at my neighbour’s unit involving paint splashing with “‘O$P$’” markings. The officers who investigated and handled the case demonstrated great professionalism and dedication, and this piqued my interest in Police work. I was drawn to the dynamic nature of the job and how it constantly brings new challenges!
I joined the Force in November 2016 and had a two-month attachment at Queenstown NPC, followed by six months of training at the Home Team Academy. Since July 2017, I’ve been performing my duties at Bukit Merah West NPC.
Can you share with us your most memorable experience while on patrol?
I was responding to a case at Boat Quay during a night shift and there was an altercation. The next day, I woke up to find that my handling of the suspect had gone viral. Though I was initially worried about this, I was relieved to see positive comments about our professionalism in handling the case. It’s heartening when people understand that we’re doing our best in dynamic situations.
Recently, I also responded to a case involving a woman with postnatal depression who resisted going to the hospital. I explained the situation to her patiently to alleviate her concerns and she was eventually convinced to seek medical help. I felt a sense of relief and fulfilment that we were able to help the woman without further harm to herself.
How do you build a connection with those you engage with?
To foster trust and rapport takes honesty, transparency and a consistent presence. Clear communication, cultural sensitivity and genuine care complete my essential toolkit.
As a youth, you learnt that you wanted to become a Police officer. What advice would you offer to young people considering a career in the SPF?
You should thrive on continuous learning, embrace a dynamic environment and readily accept challenges. If you’re passionate about protecting lives and deterring crime, we welcome you to be part of our Force!
Check out the other On The Beat series with the Community Policing Unit, ProCom and TransCom!
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