“Take one step at a time and you’ll get there eventually.” Be inspired by ASP Candy Ko, the first female officer to complete the 12-week-long Police Tactical Course in the SOC!
By: Christabelle Lim
On 23 April 2024, the Special Operations Command (SOC) witnessed the graduation of 64 officers from Police Tactical Course 01-2024. Over the span of 12 weeks, they’d proven that they have the physical strength, skills and mettle to survive the challenges to come. Each officer proudly donned the prestigious red beret, presented to them by Commander SOC, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC) Arthur Law.
Earning the Red Beret
One of the officers in this cohort was Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Candy Ko. ASP Ko led the graduation ceremony as the Parade Commander, marking a historic moment for the SOC as the first female officer to successfully complete the Police Tactical Course.
Police Life catches up with ASP Ko at the Home Team Tactical Centre in this exclusive interview!
Can you share your posting history leading up to your current post in the SOC?
I joined the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in September 2014 and this year marks my 10th anniversary as a Police officer. After graduating from the Home Team Academy, I served as an Investigation Officer at Jurong Police Division for two years, then as an Emergency Response Team (ERT) Team Leader at Central Police Division for two years.
My next staff posting, as an Operations Training Officer at the Training Command Frontline Policing Training School from 2019 to 2024, taught me that operations and training go hand in hand, and that it was an opportune time for me to return to operations.
That’s when I was inspired to serve in the SOC; the strategic force of the SPF that provides the highest level of tactical options. This would also allow me to enhance my skills learnt in ERT and put my past experiences to good use.
Share with us some of the challenges you faced on this journey.
One major challenge that I faced was my fitness level, especially after giving birth to two kids. I was exempted from the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) for almost four years, and I’d gained 27kg just before giving birth to my son in 2022!
During that period, even running 1km was difficult for me. I knew that physical fitness was a baseline requirement as an SOC trooper, hence I started training months before the posting cycle. Thankfully, with supportive colleagues training with me, I managed to attain IPPT Gold prior to my posting to SOC.
What unique perspectives or skills do you believe women bring to the Police Tactical Unit, and how do these contribute to the overall effectiveness of the unit?
We all have different skills and perspectives based on our past experiences and it’d be difficult to categorise them based on gender. Some female officers may not rely as much on physical prowess to achieve certain objectives. This encourages alternative approaches to be considered alongside brute force, which then adds to the range of tactical options.
In what ways do you hope your achievement will inspire other women to consider a career with the SPF and with specialised units like the SOC?
There’s a famous Chinese saying that goes “Everything is hard in the beginning.” I hope that my story as a mother of two, managing to complete the Police Tactical Course at the age of 32, can give other women the confidence that they can achieve the same too!
Can you describe a particularly memorable or challenging moment during your training, and how it has shaped your approach to your role within the unit?
The final 16km route march during training was the most memorable and challenging. It was the last milestone before completing the Police Tactical Course. I’m not a fan of running, and this was the longest distance I’ve covered on foot. Wearing weighted vests and carrying weapons added to the difficulty.
Initially, everyone was high-spirited, but as fatigue set in, some started slowing down. I questioned why I was doing this when I could be in an air-conditioned office! However, by reminding myself why I joined the SOC, and with the encouragement from my troopmates, we completed the march together, with aching bodies and blistered feet.
No one fell out that night, and afterward, several troopmates told me that they respected me for persevering, and inspiring them to do the same. At that moment, it dawned on me that I’d unknowingly made an impact through my actions, even though I’m not the fastest or the fittest in the troop.
What advice would you give to other women who aspire to follow in your footsteps and pursue a career in the SOC?
Although I’m still undergoing training to become a full-fledged SOC trooper, I’m working towards it. I encourage those who wish to join the SOC to not be afraid and aim for their goals. By sharing my experiences and challenges, I hope to inspire others to strive for their dreams!
“Take things one step at a time and you’ll get there eventually.” — ASP Ko
Editor’s note: At the point of this interview, ASP Ko was undergoing the 12-week Armed Strike Team Course, a follow-up course to the Police Tactical Course which all SOC troopers have to go through to enhance their public security capabilities. We wish her the very best!
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