Home Team Specialist Mr Jason Ong and Sgt Liang Ge Song were celebrated for their dedication and achievements, receiving scholarships to further their studies and enhance their contributions to Singapore's safety and security.
By: Christabelle Lim
The multi-purpose hall at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Headquarters was bustling on a Wednesday afternoon, as anticipation and a congratulatory atmosphere filled the air.
For two Singapore Police Force (SPF) officers, it mirrored the flurry of emotions within, as they received their awards from the Guest of Honour, Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, MHA & Ministry of Social and Family Development.
Home Team Specialist Mr Jason Ong and Sergeant (Sgt) Liang Ge Song were the proud recipients of the MHA Postgraduate Scholarship and MHA Degree Scholarship respectively.
Advancing Psychological Support in the Home Team
As a Psychologist within the Police Psychological Services Department, Mr Ong is currently deployed to the Public Transport Security Command (TransCom), where he provides psychological services and consultation support to unit leaders.
He also oversees the paracounselling desk, where he trains and manages SPF officers as paracounsellors, who offer peer support and guidance. Being a former uniformed officer himself, he’s aware of the potential challenges faced by his uniformed colleagues every day.
Mr Ong is also a Crisis Negotiation Unit Psychologist, working alongside SPF negotiators to help them apply psychological knowledge and enhance operational success in complex incidents.
Reflecting on his journey, Mr Ong shares, “Transitioning from a uniformed officer to a Home Team Specialist in 2020 was a pivotal moment in my career. It allowed me to focus on advancing psychological sciences to support Home Team operations and enhance the psychological well-being of our officers.”
Mr Ong will pursue a master’s degree in Forensic Mental Health (Clinical Forensic Psychology) at King’s College London. “My interests in psychodiagnostics, alleviating burnout in frontliners, enhancing threat risk assessment, and furthering my skills in group and individual therapies motivated me to undertake specialised training in clinical forensic psychology,” he explained.
The scholarship is a significant milestone in Mr Ong’s career. “Receiving this award affirms my chosen career path in the Home Team, providing a rich source of opportunities, knowledge, and meaningful experiences.”
“The MHA Postgraduate Scholarship and organisational support will enable me to devote my time to advance my clinical and forensic knowledge, whilst being present for my wife and children – a dream come true!”
From Patrol to Policy, Driven by Passion
Sgt Liang’s passion for policing began at a young age, inspired by stories of the SPF’s successes in solving crimes and fuelled by programmes like the C.L.I.F. TV series. In 2017, during his first year of Diploma studies, he took up the Home Team Diploma Sponsorship, with his sights set on furthering his studies in the future through other scholarship opportunities available within the SPF.
Currently an Assistant Operations Officer with the Police Coast Guard (PCG), Sgt Liang’s daily work revolves around PCG operational matters and policies. He works with PCG’s stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient operations in service of PCG’s mission to prevent, deter and detect crime in Singapore Territorial Waters.
Before this, he served as a patrol officer with the Coastal Patrol Squadron, patrolling Singapore waters on PCG’s largest class of vessels, the 35-meter-long Coastal Patrol Craft.
Sgt Liang recalls one memorable incident that affirmed his decision to rotate to a staff posting. It was a case of drowning at a quarry in Pulau Ubin. The case was unique as it took place in an inland water body on an offshore island, which posed a challenge in conveying responding resources to provide prompt support. “The after-action review of this incident was one of the first tasks I did as an Assistant Operations Officer,” he said. “That’s where I was able to appreciate the resilience and unity of the Home Team, and the teamwork displayed by all of us to get the mission done.”
Sgt Liang will pursue a degree in Public Safety and Security at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. He credits his supervisors for their encouragement and the culture in PCG for supporting his upskilling, as well as his family for their unwavering support. “I’m extremely grateful for this scholarship opportunity, which I believe will further enable me to fulfil my passion in policing and contribute more to the SPF.”
The MHA Scholarship and Sponsorship Awards are presented annually to deserving Home Team officers to support their professional development. They also serve to recognise dedicated officers for their outstanding service in keeping Singapore safe and secure, and affirm their potential for further contributions to the Home Team.
This year, 111 Home Team officers were presented with Scholarships, Sponsorships and Study Awards to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Nine officers also received book prizes for outstanding academic achievements. Congratulations to all award recipients!
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