Brewing justice – the untold story of AC Ang Eng Seng's rise to command!
By: Domnic Dass
Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Ang Eng Seng has been leading Woodlands Police Division, Singapore's newest Police division, since May 2021. We catch up with AC Ang to learn about his journey from spearheading the Singapore F1 Grand Prix operations, to overseeing the safety and security of Singapore's northern region!
Answering the Call to Serve
I wanted to join a profession where I could help people and be respected. Could this work also be fun, exciting and provide me with a lot of developmental and learning opportunities? These were the questions I asked myself when I was considering what to do for my career.
When I was serving my National Service, I applied for the Local Merit Scholarship of the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Looking back, I'm glad I made the right choice. The SPF provides the foundation for a successful and prosperous Singapore.
Learning from the Best to Lead with Purpose
My time as Principal Staff Officer to the Commissioner of Police (CP) Hoong Wee Teck profoundly shaped my leadership philosophy. CP Hoong’s ability to distil signal from noise was remarkable. He was always rational, objective and detail-oriented, even in high-pressure situations, and could strategise at both macro and micro level. I learned that attention to detail and a well-timed sense of humour can be powerful tools. He’d use humour to defuse tension and connect with his team.
I strive to incorporate these lessons into my own leadership style, balancing approachability with professionalism and using humour judiciously to progress issues. I also learned to stay mission-focused, unswayed by emotions, and lead by example. Effective police leadership embodies CLIF: Courage, Loyalty, Integrity and Fairness. Regular communication, relationship-building and compassion are vital.
A Journey of Growth and Service
One significant professional milestone was serving as the Commanding Officer of Sengkang Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC). During this appointment, I worked on what would later become Punggol NPC. I enjoyed the process of building a new NPC. It’s not as simple as just placing Police cordon tape around the site we want. We had to consult stakeholders widely, understand upcoming developments in the area and look into future policing needs of the community. Punggol NPC was established in 2022 and is co-located with Punggol Fire Station, to better serve residents.
Shaping a Division’s Identity
When I took command of Woodlands Police Division in May 2021, we faced a unique challenge. Having only been established in 2019, we had five NPCs, one Regional Lock-up facility and both Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints under us, each with its own focus area and diverse policing duties. You can’t simply use a one-size-fits-all approach to manage different teams of officers.
The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 made things more challenging, limiting interactions between colleagues who were still getting to know each other. During this period, my priority was to bring our officers together and build a common sense of purpose, unity and pride.
I held regular dialogue sessions with officers to understand their concerns and what we could address together as a Division. We also held bonding events such as Family Days and get-togethers during festive occasions. Today, we share a very strong identity and mission, which is to safeguard residents across Woodlands, Marsiling, Sembawang and Yishun.
Building Bridges at the Border
At Woodlands Police Division, we oversee operations at Woodlands Checkpoint. When COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2022, we experienced an unprecedented surge in traveller volume at the Causeway. Working closely with our Immigration & Checkpoints Authority colleagues and Malaysian counterparts became crucial to managing this situation effectively. Our relationship has grown beyond just work – we now celebrate festive occasions together, such as Hari Raya, with our neighbours across the border.
Orchestrating Singapore's Biggest Racing Event
The operations for the Singapore F1 Grand Prix have been one of the SPF’s most complex deployments. Leading the three-day operation from 2022 to 2024 is exciting and enjoyable, but also exhausting. We have to constantly manage fatigue to maintain peak performance throughout the prolonged deployment.
One challenge is maintaining safety and security without unduly affecting the experience of spectators. To achieve this, we worked with outstanding fellow officers from Ang Mo Kio, Central and Jurong Police Divisions, alongside various SPF units such as the Traffic Police, Police Security Command, Special Operations Command and Protective Security Command. Integrating all the different policing roles into one coordinated operation takes meticulous planning.
We also collaborated closely with public agencies like the Singapore Tourism Board, Land Transport Authority and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. For example, when roads were closed around Marina Centre and the Padang, we needed to manage traffic disruptions and crowd movement. Even though Singapore has hosted the F1 since 2008, each year brings fresh challenges that keep the operation interesting and enriching.
Championing Sports and Wellness
As Chairman of the Police Sports Association (PSA), I work with a passionate team of officers dedicated to promoting sports excellence in the SPF. Police officers naturally lead active lifestyles, participating in everything from traditional track and field events to contemporary sports like frisbee, dodgeball and archery. We’re even looking to start a pickleball interest group soon.
Fitness is vital in policing and contributes to strengthening public confidence in our officers. Many of our officers also compete internationally, inspiring others and creating a natural movement within the Force. Sports also allow us to connect with others, including students. We inspire them and become their role model. Hopefully, some will join us in future, or be more willing to cooperate with and help the Police.
A little-known fact about me is my involvement in Chinese Orchestra, which began during my student days at Dunman High School when I played the sheng, a traditional Chinese wind instrument. I’ve continued performing with City Chinese Orchestra, doing up to four concerts annually. This December, after a two decade-long break, I’ll be returning to perform at Victoria Concert Hall.
At home, my wife is the "Home Affairs Minister!" She would make the decisions on major issues, though I decide what are considered major or minor. Our parenting values are well-aligned, and with ten-year-old twins – a boy and a girl – our household is always lively. My daughter, who's the cheekier one, sometimes stays up late to see me when I get home from work, wondering why I haven't come to kiss her goodnight. That's just part of being a Police officer.
Coffee with a Commander Series
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