Enhancing the effectiveness of Police officers and operations through the application of psychology.
By: Ng Yun Shiean
Police psychological services were first introduced in 1993, when a small group of psychologists were recruited into the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to provide stress management training and personnel assessment for Police officers. On 1 March 1996, the Police Psychological Unit (PPU) was set up to also provide counselling and specialised assessment services.
In 2004, the PPU was reorganised into the Police Psychological Services Division under the SPF’s Manpower Department. As the need for Police psychological services expanded, especially in areas such as leadership assessment and development; victim support; and organisation measurement and development, the Police Psychological Services Department (PPSD) was established as a standalone department on 1 April 2021.
Thirty years after its start, the PPSD continues to play an important role in integrating psychology into policing for crime-fighting and enhancing the psychological resilience of our officers.
Celebrating a Milestone
To commemorate the PPSD’s 30th anniversary, PPSD officers went on a heritage trail in September 2023 to explore milestones in the PPSD’s and the SPF’s histories. Some of these places include the PPU’s first office and counselling room at Pearl’s Hill Terrace, the former Combined Operations Room, the old Criminal Investigation Department lockup and the Police Heritage Centre.
In November 2023, the PPSD also organised a dinner to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Among the guests were former and present PPSD officers, paracounsellors and Victim Care Officers, as well as PPSD partners from agencies such as the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Public Service Division and Institute of Mental Health.
Making an Impact
Ms Khoo Yan Leen has served 16 years as a Police Psychologist. Currently the Assistant Director of the Organisational and Personnel Psychology Division, she shares her motivations and challenges in the provision of Police psychological services.
Tell us some of your most memorable cases or projects.
PPSD psychologists respond to critical incidents and provide psychological support to affected officers, victims, or their next-of-kin. In one of my earlier cases, I offered support to a distressed next-of-kin at a mortuary, with my senior colleague. It was emotionally challenging for me as a young psychologist. However, when she thanked us and expressed how our support had meant a lot for her, it reminded me of why I joined the SPF – to apply psychology to help people and make a positive impact on their lives.
I was also part of the team that developed and introduced our Leadership Assessment Centre in 2015. It was an intensive process of designing the exercises and assessment process to assist the SPF in assessing the leadership potential of officers. It was really fulfilling to witness the Assessment Centre come to fruition and see how our work contributes to enhancing the leadership assessment process!
What’s a challenge you face in your work?
As the demand for psychological services has increased over the years, staying abreast of developments in psychology and best practices has become increasingly challenging. To help with that, the PPSD now has a team of research analysts who look into recent developments and advancements in our field of work. Their findings help us validate our practices against those of other agencies and empirical research. We also engage in exchanges with local and overseas counterparts, to foster mutual learning.
Can you share some of the ways that the PPSD supports officers in their work?
We have been providing officers and supervisors with relevant knowledge and skills to strengthen their psychological resilience, such as regularly sharing resources and tips on mental wellness.
What are the key areas of work that the PPSD will be focusing on for the future?
We’ll continue to pursue our vision of making psychology integral to policing. Some of our new initiatives include frameworks to guide the training and development of psychologically fit and competent officers, as well as practices to help officers better recognise, understand and respond to the effects of trauma, in order to better support victims, suspects, and officers.
What keeps you motivated as a Police Psychologist?
It’s the people! I have very supportive colleagues whom I can depend on when the going gets tough. I also enjoy working with our Police officers. Their focus on the policing mission and their positive feedback and appreciation for what we do make our hard work worthwhile and keep me going!
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