An inside look into the next milestone of the Senior Officer Basic Course, in the second instalment of Learning to Lead!
By: ASP Warren Liow
For those who know me, I’m a high-spirited person by nature. Despite the ongoing rigorous training in the Senior Officer Basic Course (SOBC), I continue to remain joyful and enjoy the precious moments with my squadmates. In this article, I’ll share my experiences on the next milestone of the SOBC – the Criminal Law and Criminal Investigation Modules – and fun memories from the past six months!
Criminal Law and Criminal Investigation Modules
Moving into the second phase of the course, we advanced our learning on the application of Criminal Law, including the Penal Code, Miscellaneous Offences Act and Immigration Act. We also learnt about the legislative powers vested in Police officers under the Criminal Procedure Code in carrying out policing work, as well as our accountabilities and responsibilities governed under the Evidence Act.
This module was challenging for most of us, who had limited knowledge of the law. However, as we gained more experience from delving into case studies and understanding the essential elements that constituted different offences, we gradually became “friends” with the legal framework.
For the Criminal Investigation Module, we were amazed by the technological advancements in DNA and fingerprint forensics. The sessions on interview techniques and the different approaches one could use to establish rapport and trust with interviewees were highly intriguing.
Through the sharing sessions, we had the privilege of hearing from current Investigation Officers, forensics experts and retired Police officers from various fields of Police work. One very experienced ex-officer was Mr Goh Tat Boon, former Head of the Special Investigation Section of the Criminal Investigation Department. He provided valuable insights on identifying elements of foul play in murder cases and strategies in arresting accused persons involved in major crimes.
First Deployment Experience
During this period, our squad was deployed for an event held at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess (SPOM) involving international guests. Although our role was small, it was a meaningful experience as we gained a better understanding that every role was important to ensure mission success. One of the key takeaways was also appreciating the perseverance of Police officers in carrying out their assigned duties, even in harsh operating environments.
Reaching a Significant Milestone – Senior Term Bar!
The past two months also saw an important milestone for our squad. We had made it to the halfway mark of the SOBC! To mark this significant achievement, our seniors organised an event filled with challenging activities that put our mental and physical resilience to the test, requiring us to apply our policing knowledge to achieve the mission. With these efforts, we earned our Senior Term epaulettes signifying our progress from “Juniors” to “Seniors” and putting us a step closer to the Experiential Leadership Training phase.
Celebrating Lunar New Year with Alpha Company
For this year’s Lunar New Year, our squad was tasked with organising a festive celebration for the entire Alpha Company, comprising all the Senior Officer and Officer Cadet trainees.
To ensure that everyone had an enjoyable evening, we produced a skit that integrated the timeless tale of Journey to the West and the legend of Nian (a lion-like monster from the Chinese mythology). Our Course Manager, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jeremy Png, was spontaneous and mesmerised the audience with his role as Zhu Bajie! Besides the fond memories and entertainment, we also applied our operational planning skills for the smooth execution of the event.
Sports and Games
Besides the physical training sessions, I had opportunities to participate in several sports competitions organised for Singapore Police Force (SPF) officers. For the SPOM 3v3 Basketball Tournament, my fellow squadmates and I were the underdogs as we hardly had any practice sessions. Through sheer determination and excellent teamwork, we managed to emerge as the overall champions!
I also represented Training Command in the Police Sports Association Swimming Championships and the Track and Field Championships. Our team made an achievement when we won a silver medal for the first time in the “B” category for the Tug-of-War event!
These events have provided me opportunities to interact with colleagues from across the various SPF units and the wider Home Team family. Building strong relationships and camaraderie are essential for our organisation. I’ll cherish these memories and continue to participate actively.
Preparing for What’s Coming: Experiential Leadership Training
The final phase of my training journey would centre around the Experiential Leadership Training, aimed at developing our character, enhancing leadership capability, and strengthening resilience during challenging situations. To prepare for the unexpected challenges ahead, our squad has been training hard together to achieve the mission as ONE.
The past six months have been tough but rewarding! I’ve bonded well with my squadmates and I’m sure the next three months would bring us even closer. I’m certainly looking forward to more learning opportunities and the overseas training in Nepal!
Learning to Lead
In the final phase of his training journey to become a Senior Officer, ASP Warren Liow will share insights into his Experiential Leadership Training (conducted in Singapore and Nepal), his two-week attachment with the Central Police Division Investigation Branch and his much-anticipated graduation ceremony. Stay tuned!
Read about the first phase of ASP Liow’s training journey here.
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